Hello list members, Thank you for all your post. I am new on this list and I am only trying to make folks aware of the situation with the Monacan Indians and Cherokee Indians geneologys, and because your surname is mentioned within. I personally have nothing to gain by either tribe. I am a Lenapah and my grandmothers people were of the Delaware Nation Indians, who were adopted by the Cherokee.I don't have any cards , nor do I want any, I have no Chief and no I don't live on a reservation. (for those of you who asked) I will tell anyone on any list, I am more then willing to help folks find their NA roots. I don't care what tribe they are. I have been helping people for almost 4 years now. My specialty is the Cherokee Freedmen. And I work very hard at all I do. In reguards to the Monacan-Cherokee families, I have had the oppurtunity to know and speak with both sides. I personally have nothing against the Monacan Indians. But I will say that if they are not Monacan and are Cherokee, then they need to seek Cherokee tribal status and not Monacan tribal status. I do not want to hear the words: "Well so what if they are Cherokee?" This has been said to me about 5 different times from various people. Well I think the Cherokee would have somthing to say about that. I have watched comments for months on both sides and after seeing the comments made below by a major supporter of the Monacan, I can only conclude that there is real basis for the questions reguarding their Monacan tribal status. We now have their own supporters stating that the geneology is inaccurate. <A HREF="http://www.joepayne.org/mallory.htm"> http://www.joepayne.org/mallory.htm</A> http://www.joepayne.org/mallory.htm I would like to add that I really don't think the fault is with the Monacan families. I believe the fault is with Dr. Peter Houch and his book "Indian Island". The Monacan Indians of Amherst VA, recieved their state reconition because of the book. Well not only are their documents to show that an article in the book has been altered, but again we have a Monacan major supporter saying he believes they made a mistake. I believe many of these families may have been mislead. I personnally want to reach out to these families and help them find their true roots. I am more then willing to work with any Monacan family of the tribe. If this was a matter of just a few geneologys being mixed up, then that would be one thing.That I think could be resolved. But it is simply not the case. And when a supporter of the Monacan says, that the marriage of Robert Johns and Mary Indian are incorrect, well what is left? You then have a tribal roster of names claiming to be their desendents, which just isn't true. I wonder if it is true that Dr Peter Houck started his publishing Co with the making of this book? I wonder were the proceeds of his book went to? Who were the original people who got these families together for interviews? I wonder what connections Dr. Houck has to politicians in the state of Virginia? Why are the Monacan trying to by-pass the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as other tribes have had to do? So as you can see, my research into all of this is far from over. Too many questions to be answered. I will be leaving your list in on Sunday, but I welcome any questions, concerns, comments you may have on this issue. You can contact me at: BrightStar9136@aol.com Below are a few links reguarding the Monacan tribe. <A HREF="http://mytwobeadsworth.com/VAtribes928.html"> Administration opposes recognition of Va. Indian tribes My Two Beads Worth</A> http://mytwobeadsworth.com/VAtribes928.html <A HREF="http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2002/hr2345.htm"> Mike Smith, Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan, 2345, H. R. 2345</A> http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2002/hr2345.htm <A HREF="http://www.indiancountry.com/?2439"> ICT [2000/12/06] Virginia tribes continue push for federal recognition</A> http://www.indiancountry.com/?2439 <A HREF="http://home.infi.net/~toniam/feature/appindians.html"> tonia moxley</A> http://home.infi.net/~toniam/feature/appindians.html <A HREF="http://www.newstribune.com/stories/050102/wor_0501020008.asp"> News Tribune - Six Indian tribes to meet in rare Virginia powwow to draw support for sovereignty status 05/01/02</A> http://www.newstribune.com/stories/050102/wor_0501020008.asp Bright Star