This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jantrevor Surnames: griffin, gryffud, griffith, griffis, griffen Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.griffin/6810/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks to many Griffin families, we now have information from over 40 Griffin families in response to the oral family history survey. Below are the updated results from the "Griffin Survey". This survey is primarily focused on Southern Lines, but all are welcome to respond. I'll be putting together a survey to learn more about Northern and other lines soon. 1. Which of the following westward migration routes is most similar to your Griffin family? 17.5% say Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Texas and some to California 2.5% say Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri 17.5% say Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia 10% say Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas 7.5% Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida 45% Other route 2. Does your oral or documented family history include Native American ancestors within your Griffin line? 31.6% Yes (****this 1/3 representation among southern lines seems to stay fairly consistent) 68.4% No 3. Is your Griffin line currently characterized as: 90% white 2.5% black ( Thank you to the 1 African American Griffin respondent. I know there are alot more folks out there and would love to hear from them!) 5.0% Native American 2.5% Mixed *** Just something to consider. If 1/3 of the Southern lines have an oral history of Native American ancestry and yet 90% of survey respondents now identify as White...then why do so many Griffin families no longer identify as Native American? There are historical events that provide context to this... beginning with Indian Removal. I can recommend sources for anyone interested in further research of this subject. It is an interesting subject that shows how history/politics/racism etc have affected the Griffin lines as well as others) 4. According to your oral or documented family history, you believe your Griffin line to have originally come from: 12.5% England 56.3% Ireland 28.1% Wales 0% Scotland 3.1% Other 5. How long have you been researching your Griffin family history? 5% 1-2 years 2% 2-5 years 35% 5-10 years 55% 10 years 6. If your Griffin family has Native American heritage, what tribe are they associated with (do not have to be registered members)? 50% Cherokee 16.66% Creek 16.66% Choctaw 16.66% Other (* would love to know what other tribes, please feel free to email my ancestry profile) 7. Are you participating in the Griffin/Griffith DNA surname project? 26.3% No 73.7% Yes 8. When researching your Griffin family line, which spellings of the Griffin name are part of your documented line? 94.9% Griffin 28.2% Griffen 20.5% Griffith (these are most likely Welsh lines) 5.1% Griffis 2.6% Gryffud 9. Do you believe your Griffin family to be historically Baptist or Methodist? (There was an early split after The Great Awakening between Griffin family members.) 62.9% Baptist 22.9% Methodist 17.1% Other (***of English lines, these may be Episcopal) 10. Has you ever been told that your family is: 40% said Black Irish 40% said Black Dutch 20% said Melungeon (see Wikipedia for the historical meanings of these terms and why some Griffin lines may have used them to identify themselves) Questions regarding race, religion, tribe etc are asked only to help researchers narrow down the possibilities for research as it pertains to census, church or tribal records...and for no other reason. If you've not yet taken the survey and want to, please visit http://www.visualmediaworx.com/gone to texas.htm 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.