This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: enelsonlyda Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.ethnic.natam.nations.choctaw.choctawnat/1241.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi, guys and gals. Hope everyone is well. I don't know if you are descended from the same Nelsons - but I think so. I have a lot of Nelson family (living) in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (whew). I say this, tongue in cheek, because I know they are living, I just don't know them... For what it's worth (or not) based on what I know about my specific line, which I can trace to late 1500's - there are many Native American mixes in the Nelson line. First, there are the Rappahanock (Virginia) - still lead today by Nelsons. Then, as they were pushed and killed as shields to settlers, they merged in with Nansemond (Virginia) (still alive today and lead by a Bass). Then, they also merged in with Chowan (VA/NC line) and Monacans. Long story made short - started in Jamestown, mixed with settlers (documented, acknowledged). See Nathaniel Bass (or Nathaniel Basse). As they were continually pushed, further south and in odd directions, a small group - of Nelson, Bass, Taylor, Goins, and Sweatt - all with native heritage as well as settler heritage - grouped together to move further south. One Taylor (Delaney or Dillis or Delaney Dillis Taylor) married a Nelson and had 6 children - then married a Bass and had 6 children. They further re-inforced their native heritage by (hold your breath) having their children marry each other. (In some instances, this means first cousins.) One of their son's, William Taylor Nelson, made a land claim in Mississippi, as a settler. You can continue the chain from there - but their children then married into both French settlers in the Bayou and native Choctaw. That makes it even more interesting, because the French settlers they mixed with were originally, in my line, from Acadia in Canada, who were persecuted and driven out....a totally and very different native, I believe they were known as the Micmac. What does this mean? Well, I'm not sure, except that the band from NC seems to have re-pledged and stated alliance/allegiance to the Nansemond mid-1700's, just prior to their journey. But, in a nutshell, I think, if you're a Nelson, your native line is very looooonnnnnnggggg......much longer than you think. A clue that might help find your specific relative, look in Louisiana for the generation you cannot find. I bet you'll find a link (or two or three...). My father told me we were Choctaw, but little did he know that only a few generations prior, they were not. Best Regards, Lizzy Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.