Joy, I'm doing research and believe that at least one of my family lines is Cherokee and/or Shawnee on my mom's side. I know that some of her family is Choctaw or Commanche thought my grandmother never said. The families were in Texas in early 1830's or before and one of the lines is Chisum or Chisholm another is Chitty. As I understand it the line had a Elias Thomas who married Lightfoot. Our line goes back to William and Deborah Cook Chisum and Isham Russell and Permelia Roberts Chisum/Chisholm Plus my grandfather's grandparents were both NA from the TN area Can you tell me the how one should try to trace a line down if they are NA that fits with dates the family has? I know many try to prove NA Heritage for monetary reasons but I am not interested in that. In fact, I believe my family chose Texas and "white" because they wanted to avoid the alternative. They chose to make their own way. The Cherokee Reservation is near Livingston, TX, which is not far from me and East Texas was given by Governor Sam Houston to the Nation aas their land but the next governor revoke that. My grandfather's grandfather Joseph Barley died during the Civil War and Mary (who I am starting to believe was a Wall or Walling as they settled in the town next to me and one of their children married and lived in Rusk Co. I have no idea of the nation again as my grandfather would not tell us. I'd like to know what happened to Mary Barley though as she told her married girls she was going to Oklahoma to "be with her people". Originally she was from AL. I hate to bother you but I my brickwall is getting highter and higher as my age is 74 and I'd love to find our what happen to Mary. Tracing NA roots as you know is not an open task and can be difficult if impossible. I'd appreciate any consideration in this regard Adiene

Adiene Quote: My grandfather's grandfather Joseph Barley died during the Civil War and Mary (who I am starting to believe was a Wall or Walling as they settled in the town next to me and one of their children married and lived in Rusk Co. I have no idea of the nation again as my grandfather would not tell us. If Mary is a Waller in Rusk Co she is, perhaps the one from Roane Co., TN www.roanetnheritage.com You gave no dates. Have you also seen Riley Waller? Joyce Gaston Reece