>Then a relative came along not that long ago that annouced that my >g-grandmother, Ora Etta Mason, was full blooded Cherokee. This is something >I find impossible to believe. I've traced the Mason family back to Germany. Where does this family originate in the US? Mason is a common name among blacks and mulattoes in this part of the country, dating back to the early 1700s. Claims to Indian ancestry were commonly used by light-skinned people people trying to camouflage black ancestry.

Is your organization a c3 nonprofit? If so, you are illegally engaging in political lobbying by continually posting here and encouraging people to subvert the Census Bureau's attempt to collect accurate data. Your organization's non-profit status could be revoked for such actions. Not to mention that you're encouraging people to be dishonest about who they are and where their families came from.

My mother was told by her grandmother that her grandmother was American Indian. I think it's probably Molly Winn who married Adam MASON in Frederick Co., Md. 27 Sept. 1790. The Mason family was German. The name was changed to Mason from Maurer. Molly and Adam lived in Fauquier Co. Va. In 1850 Adam was living in Loudoun Co., Va. with a daughter, so I'm guessing that Molly had died by that time. Do you know anything about Ora Etta Mason that would connect with my family? (I'm hoping :-) Marge Green

Hi everyone, Yesterday I was reading in Whitelaw's Virginia's Eastern Shore, published 1951. He said about Native Americans in the area that "Their blood remains only as a mixture with that of the Negro race." Is this true? Or did Native American groups in this area intermarry with whites also? I have several lines on the Delmarva Peninsula I am trying to track down further (Bradford, Tarr, Sturgis, Holland, Webb), and also have stories of Native American ancestry, though not necessarily on my Delmarva lines, so I would appreciate any input anyone has. I have posted this message to Lower-Delmarva-Roots also. Jacqui

These are the family names I have so far and it isn't many since the women's married names are proving hard to get for me. Sallan, Sallans, Sullens (PA and MD), Smoot (VA, MD) (so far not related to the Smoot family already on the web), Miller (MD only so far). Am still learning this geneology thing and working quickly before the generous friend want the computer back. thank you

CENSUS 2000 FACT SHEET For American Indians and Alaska Natives WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES TO ANSWER THE CENSUS? The Census affects the entire American Indian community, tribal governments, urban Indian communities, local and nationally, especially in terms of funding for programs serving American Indian families and children. WILL I HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF MY SELF-IDENTIFICATION (TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION CARD)? The Census Bureau does not require documentation of Indian blood, so you are free to self-identify. I AM OF MIXED BLOOD, WHAT SHOULD I DO? If you identify as an American Indian, even if you are of mixed race, we recommend that you answer the race question as ONLY AMERICAN INDIAN. The Census form will allow you to check more than one race. However, if you check any other races, there is no guarantee that you will be counted as an American Indian. Please do not leave this section blank, or the Census Bureau may have to guess your race. If you live in a mixed household, the American Indian/Alaska Native spouse should be listed as Person Number 1 (head of household) to qualify as an American Indian household. Having a tribal enrollment number does not mean you are automatically counted by the census. DO I NEED TO LIST THE NAME OF MY TRIBE? Please DO NOT leave the tribe section blank, even if you are not enrolled in your tribe. Naming your tribe will help ensure that you are counted as American Indian, and it will also help your tribe and local agencies that serve American Indians for data and funding purposes. It is important to put your primary tribe first. Write in your tribe even if your tribe is not federally recognized. I AM ALSO OF HISPANIC ORIGIN. SHOULD I LIST THIS ON THE CENSUS FORM? We recommend that you answer NO to the Hispanic Origin question, even if you have a Hispanic surname or Hispanic origin. In the past, American Indians who answered 'yes' to the Hispanic Origin question were not counted as American Indians, but as Hispanic/Latino. Please do not leave this question blank, or the Census Bureau may guess whether or not you are Hispanic origin. Especially if you have a Hispanic surname or live in a Hispanic neighborhood they will assume the answer is yes. IS THERE A DUE DATE FOR SUBMITTING THE CENSUS FORM? Fill out the form and return it right away. The due date is April 1, 2000 If you do not return your form by the due date, a census worker may come door to door to ask you questions. If you do not wish to be bothered at your home, you should turn in the form on time. If you are not home or do not answer the door, the census worker may ask your neighbors to answer questions about you, including your race. This may result in incorrect data, and you may not be counted as American Indian. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS (LEAVE ANSWERS BLANK)? Do not leave any information blank, especially Race and Hispanic Origin. If you leave a question blank, information will be answered for you and you may not be counted as an American Indian. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CALL FOR MORE HELP? Community centers are available to help you If you need help with the census form, community centers will be available to help you with examples. Please call for more information: Southern California Indian Center (SCIC) at (213) 387-5772 or (714) 663-1102 United American Indian Involvement (UAII) at (213) 202-3970. -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)

Hello, I've been subscribed to this list for many months now but have never posted. I guess I've been afraid....of what I do not know. I've no proof of my Indian heritage and probably will never find it. Old family stories say....."they hid" But I'm here today to tell you what I know and maybe find someone else who knows also. James B/T Taylor was born about 1853/54 in Ritchie Co. WV to Elizabeth A. Overfield and james Taylor. His parents never married but his mother did record the birth in Ritchie Co. WV in March 1855...don't know why she waited....all documentation to date indicates the 1853/54 birth year. His mother named the father as James Taylor, a Farmer of Ritchie Co. James himself listed his parents on his first marriage record and listed them as: Elizabeth Overfield and james B. Taylor. James was raised by his maternal grandparents: Martin Overfield and Julia Ann Nutter. This is probably why he liked to use the name of Overfield instead of Taylor from time to time. I've no picture of James but do have pictures of some of his descendants and it is true they are indeed "something" My g-grandfather Walter Lewark Taylor, son of James, basically raised my own father from the time of about 7 years of age. Walter would tell my father stories of them being Indian....not just "oh by the way you are part Indian"....but real stories. The most of which my father can not remember...he just remembers being told. Walter would tell that he was Blackfoot...something I find hard to beleive given the location of VA and WV. A g-aunt much later, after Walter was gone, told me and my father, "oh no, Walter was Cherokee" It's anyones guess at this point. This g-aunt is gone now 2 years. Then a relative came along not that long ago that annouced that my g-grandmother, Ora Etta Mason, was full blooded Cherokee. This is something I find impossible to believe. I've traced the Mason family back to Germany. But, this relative, who is now 85 years, says she remembers it like yesterday. She was a young teenage girl when my grandfather came to her parents and asked to marry her sister. Before this permission he was asked to tell about his family. He told that his mother, Ora Etta Mason, was full Cherokee and that his father too, Walter Lewark Taylor, was a good amount of Indian. Walter Lewark Taylor, and his wife Ora Etta Mason and thier children do look Indian. Everything about them, the hair, the eyes, the color of thier skin, and the features. If anyone knows of this family I would appreciated hearing from you. Thank you Jag James B/T. Taylor b.abt. 1853/54 Ritchie Co.VA/WV to Elizabeth A. Overfield and james taylor. married 1871 to Lucy Ann Britton b.1848 Monongalia VA to John H.W. Britton and Rachel Ball. Children of James and Lucy are Cora Jane Taylor b.1872 died 1872 Marion Columbus Taylor b.1874 Stacey F. Taylor b.1876 Walter Lewark Taylor b.1877 Martin Porter Taylor b.1879 Lucy Britton Taylor died 1881 in Ritchie Co. WV to consumption. James remarried to Mary C. Bennington in Doddridge Co. WV in 1882 Children of James and Mary are: Orpha B. taylor b.abt. 1882 Addison Leroy Taylor b. 1883 William B. Taylor b. 1886 Sarah Ada Myrtle Taylor b. 1889 _______________________________________________________ Get 100% FREE Internet Access powered by Excite Visit http://freeworld.excite.com

Hello My name is Wendy and I am new to this list. It seemed that I should introduce myself and why I have come here. Unfortunately my loner computer won't be around long... so I will have to go after a bit.... in the meantime... I am hoping to learn about my family and whether or not they are Native American. This is not a new search and I am not "suddenly" interested in my roots. My family is all but dead and gone, been that way for at least 15-20 years. I had a cousin that I called Grandmother who got me started with beadworking and took me a few times to the Baltimore American Indian Center. She spent time teaching about about the nations in our area (Baltimore) and I learned some things, not alot as she died when I was young. Some relatives took me to a pow wow or two, but I can't say that much else was shared. From that tender age of 5, I have learned whatever I could, been respectful in my quest for knowledge and understanding, but my mom wasn't really happy with my searching and since it was just she and I , I also tried not to step on her toes. Now I am older, with children and it is important that I know for their sake, so they don't spent 30 yrs wondering who they are and why I do some of the things I do. It is more now for them, for how I am raising them, than anything else, that I want to know my fathers people and one small part of my mothers. Well I have talked more than enough. I am glad to be here and thank you in advance for any help that you can offer in my search. Respectfully, Wendy It is not the destination, but the walk itself that is important. <http://www.angelfire.com/mb/Quietwalking/index.html>

You refer to a person who looks Indian and lives on a reservation who may not be tribally enrolled. I think that that person may claim to be Indian if they wish because, they would more than likely have "legitimate" blood ties to people on that reservation. But a person who feels an Indian calling and moves near or on a reservation and feels that they can help all the poor Indians because they have been visited by a dream spirit or something need to stop. Being raised as Indian in an Indian community and having known ties to tribal members is a far cry from folks raised as something other than Indian with no actually ties, no documentation, no history of Indian involvement, was never recognized by the surrounding community as Indian, have never been counted as Indian, and whose family members think that they are crazy for living in a fantasy world. The world is full of those people, and guess what, they are all going to list themselves as Indians. This upsets me. These new, so called Indians trying to save Native Americans from themselves. Those persons living out their Indian fantasies are trying to fill a void in their lives. Transforming ones self into an Indian "will not" fill that void. I have never had a problem with folks who are trying to find that Indian connection. I have a problem with people who try to push an Indian agenda and belong to no tribe whatsoever. Do not interfere in Indian politics if you are not a tribal member anywhere. Find your Indian connection before you attempt to affect Indian policy. Doug -----Original Message----- From: Wolfdrmer4@aol.com <Wolfdrmer4@aol.com> To: NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com <NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, February 18, 2000 12:57 PM Subject: re:census >Doug Patterson... <A HREF="http://www.census.gov/">US Census Bureau Home Page ></A> I took this from the website..www.census.gov...................-- >American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the >original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and >who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. > >1. Categories and Definitions > >The minimum categories for data on race and ethnicity for Federal statistics, >program administrative reporting, and civil rights compliance reporting are >defined as follows: > >-- American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the >original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and >who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. > >(If you notice, it says maintains community attachment also) >I was told during our seminar at the Denver Indian Center , by an official >census taker giving the seminar, Mary Red Shirt,...that this census is NOT >based on being enrolled in a tribe..it is strictly geographical....there are >many many Indians, who LOOK indian, who were raised INDIAN, who lived on the >reservations, who WERE NOT "enrolled" with their tribe...there was one young >lady who is genetically connected to five different tribes by family, who is >not enrolled with ANY tribe...is she to consider herself NOT indian???? as >for me and my boyfriend, David was adopted as a child, and after many years >of backbreaking research, just now HAS enrolled, this Saturday as a matter >of fact, with the Chiricahua Apache on the Mescalero Reservation..as head of >household, he can include me as an American Indian...but even if he couldnt, >i can prove my Blackfeet ancestry if need be...we were emphatically told by >Ms. Red Shirt that if the head of household registers as an American Indian, >everyone "in the household" can be counted at an American Indian...as for >being overcounted...that is ridiculous! just the opposite is true..in 1990, >Indians were grossly UNDERCOUNTED, and lost many benefits for housing, >medical care, and education...it is not a matter of collecting funds for >oneself by claiming to be indian...(to collect any sort of recompence or >money you MUST be enrolled...)the census is to COUNT American Indians as a >whole to determine the number of Representitives we have, to determine a >critiria for housing, medical and education help.. >as for me using the term "we"...I think anyone claiming to be Native American >should back this statement up by getting involved in Indian matters, and by >standing up to be counted as Native American..in other words...put your money >where your mouth is...respectfully...kris > > >============================== >Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. >http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/

<<But a person who feels an Indian calling and moves near or on a reservation and feels that they can help all the poor Indians because they have been visited by a dream spirit or something need to stop. >> I couldnt agree with you more..those are not the people that i am talking about... <<The world is full of those people, and guess what, they are all going to list themselves as Indians. This upsets me. These new, so called Indians trying to save Native Americans from themselves.>> I dont agree with you when you say these people will probably list themselves as indians..as far as i know, unless these people go to indian centers, or associate with indians they arent going to be taught or advised to list themselves as indians.. hopefully they wont know how... <<Find your Indian connection before you attempt to affect Indian policy.>> Again, i agree with you Doug...i didnt attatch myself to the indian community here to live out any fantasy...i have been told as a child that i had Blackfeet ancestry...for 8 years i have been trying to trace my people...when i started going to the indian center it was to volunteer to help in the kitchen and with the head start program...i didnt have a hidden agenda to pretend to be indian..after the wonderful people there realized i was sincere and genuinely interested in finding my people, they couldnt have treated me with more love and affection..i am part of their family now...and in fact our new director is Blackfeet and he is the one who gave me the final piece of my family puzzle..he actually connected me to my cousins and great aunts...i am so happy to have found them! but you see, i still dont think any wannebe indians will sign the census if they dont know how...and they wont learn unless they are associated with a tribe..David as i said, is enrolled now in his tribe, but he didnt do it to get any benefits..he did it to be among his relatives, and to belong at last to his real family..if and when i ever can be enrolled, it will be a decision i will think over carefully...i understand how you feel tho..and i agree with much of what you say...i was just passing along what i was told at the seminar..thank you for being respectful and discussing this with me...with respect ...kris

As many of you can tell by the post I have been sending I am interested in making sure American Indians and Alaska Natives are accurately counted in the upcoming census. It is not only important to participate in Census 2000 to properly fund the programs and services provided to our people, it is also an opportunity to reclaim our heritage. On my fathers side my Great Grandmother was full blooded Creek from Alabama. The Census of 1880 was conducted, in Alabama, mostly by members of the Klu Klux Klan. If you responded with anything other than white then you would get a visit later on. My Grandmother replied white and then passed lived as a white person until she was dying when she told her family of her heritage. If you have Native blood please ensure that our descendants are not further separated from their cultural heritage. -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)

There is an Edward Denham 20 Apr 1726 Middleton Derrumple St. George's Parish Baltimore County, MD, in the "Maryland Marriages 1634-1777" book by Barnes. Helen

Doug Patterson... <A HREF="http://www.census.gov/">US Census Bureau Home Page </A> I took this from the website..www.census.gov...................-- American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. 1. Categories and Definitions The minimum categories for data on race and ethnicity for Federal statistics, program administrative reporting, and civil rights compliance reporting are defined as follows: -- American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. (If you notice, it says maintains community attachment also) I was told during our seminar at the Denver Indian Center , by an official census taker giving the seminar, Mary Red Shirt,...that this census is NOT based on being enrolled in a tribe..it is strictly geographical....there are many many Indians, who LOOK indian, who were raised INDIAN, who lived on the reservations, who WERE NOT "enrolled" with their tribe...there was one young lady who is genetically connected to five different tribes by family, who is not enrolled with ANY tribe...is she to consider herself NOT indian???? as for me and my boyfriend, David was adopted as a child, and after many years of backbreaking research, just now HAS enrolled, this Saturday as a matter of fact, with the Chiricahua Apache on the Mescalero Reservation..as head of household, he can include me as an American Indian...but even if he couldnt, i can prove my Blackfeet ancestry if need be...we were emphatically told by Ms. Red Shirt that if the head of household registers as an American Indian, everyone "in the household" can be counted at an American Indian...as for being overcounted...that is ridiculous! just the opposite is true..in 1990, Indians were grossly UNDERCOUNTED, and lost many benefits for housing, medical care, and education...it is not a matter of collecting funds for oneself by claiming to be indian...(to collect any sort of recompence or money you MUST be enrolled...)the census is to COUNT American Indians as a whole to determine the number of Representitives we have, to determine a critiria for housing, medical and education help.. as for me using the term "we"...I think anyone claiming to be Native American should back this statement up by getting involved in Indian matters, and by standing up to be counted as Native American..in other words...put your money where your mouth is...respectfully...kris

Is anyone researching the above name for a family thought to be descended from a man from Holland named Olandum Denham (or a variant) and a colonial Native American woman? This would have been in the 1650-1700 period somewhere along the DelMarVA peninsula. Some of the descendents later went by the last name "Landrum" or "Landon" and I am speculating they also left some "Denham" descendants. Would appreciate hearing any comments, ideas, or suggestions about this. Best wishes, Pat Elder "I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it." Abraham Lincoln http://ContinuityPress.com - Specializing in Melungeon, Civil War, and Jackson County, Tennessee Genealogy and History Books

Hi, I'm not sure who the other Doug is that made the initial comment, but Doug Patterson did not. I would not have used the word "lying", I would have said misguided. He may have worded it a little strong, but he has a point. Only tribally enrolled members will benefit from the census count. Indian funds do not go to folks who are not tribal members, so why are they the ones who seem most concerned about it. You wrote that we should be counted so that we can get our funds, who are "we"? I think that it is a good idea to make sure tribally affiliated persons are counted as they will get the funds. It seems that you feel very strongly about your Indian heritage, why is it that neither you nor your boyfriend are tribal members? I've got a feeling that Indians will be overcounted this next census, and deprived of all funding because of it. Any person with a tradition and no proof will insist on putting Indian on their forms. Doug Patterson -----Original Message----- From: Wolfdrmer4@aol.com <Wolfdrmer4@aol.com> To: NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com <NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, February 17, 2000 11:09 AM Subject: census >Oki...we had a short seminar at the Denver Indian Center on the 2000 >Census..Doug...it is not about tribal membership..its strictly >geographical...if you are married or living with a Native American, he or she >should be the major or number 1 person to check Native American..then his or >her tribe.. then anyone living in the household, by law, can be counted as an >American Indian..i know i have Blackfeet blood, but am not enrolled, and have >no written proof yet...but my boyfriend is Apache, also not enrolled, but >Apache just the same, and he can qualify as "head of household" and anyone >living here with us can mark Native American...this is so we will not be >undercounted again as we were in 1990...it is not "lying" as the government >recognizes anyone in the household as Native American..it is SO important for >all of us to be counted...then we will get the funds needed for housing, >emergency health care, and education...it is VERY important that the count be >accurate...there are many elders and children out there who do not recieve >care because the Census of 1990 was so under counted...so please...if you >have any questions about this, contact an Indian Center near you or your >tribal office...Nan aiya...kris > > >============================== >The RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Tens of millions of individuals... and counting. >http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/

This is info on how to fill out the census to be counted as an Indian household and/or an Indian person. SPREAD THE WORD, *Important Info on Census 2000 from a member of the National American Indian 2000 Census Advisory Committee, Glenda Ahhaitty: It was great to read the press release regarding the upcoming Census. Not only is it important to urge people to fill out the form and mail it back, and that lots of jobs will be available, but it is also important to education and our communities as to what is at stake in how the forms are filled out. Indian communities stand to be the big losers after the 2000 Census is tabulated due to possible tabulation methodology. 1)If a full blood Indian person is married to a non Indian person or living in an household where the head of the household who fills out the form is non Indian they will tabulated with the household as non Indian. 2) If an Indian person checks the Hispanic/Latino question yes, they will be counted as Hispanic/Latino. 3) If an Indian person is of mixed race background and checks more than one race, white, black or asian, they will be counted in a group of those who are two or more races. Thus, they will be lost for the Indian count. As many issues regarding tabulation have not been resolved and will not be resolved perhaps until after April 2000, it is critical to educate Indian communities on how to fill out the Census form if they wish to be counted as Indian. {DO's} 1) check no on the Hispanic/Latino origin question. 2) check only one race, American Indian and write in the name of your tribe. It would be helpful if you could share this information. I am a member of the National American Indian 2000 Census Advisory Committee and would be happy to answer any questions any one might have as would any member of the committee. Committee members addresses and phone numbers can be found on the US Census Bureau web site. I can be contacted at glendas-@aol.com (213) 738-4936 Thanks Glenda Ahhaitty, -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)

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Oki...we had a short seminar at the Denver Indian Center on the 2000 Census..Doug...it is not about tribal membership..its strictly geographical...if you are married or living with a Native American, he or she should be the major or number 1 person to check Native American..then his or her tribe.. then anyone living in the household, by law, can be counted as an American Indian..i know i have Blackfeet blood, but am not enrolled, and have no written proof yet...but my boyfriend is Apache, also not enrolled, but Apache just the same, and he can qualify as "head of household" and anyone living here with us can mark Native American...this is so we will not be undercounted again as we were in 1990...it is not "lying" as the government recognizes anyone in the household as Native American..it is SO important for all of us to be counted...then we will get the funds needed for housing, emergency health care, and education...it is VERY important that the count be accurate...there are many elders and children out there who do not recieve care because the Census of 1990 was so under counted...so please...if you have any questions about this, contact an Indian Center near you or your tribal office...Nan aiya...kris

United States Census 2000 Information For American Indians This April the 2000 Census will occur and it is vital that every American Indian family participates so an accurate count can provide increased funding for many crucial programs. By correctly identifying your Tribal membership on the census form you are helping to properly fund the many programs that assist you and your family. These programs include health care, employment training services, childcare, emergency services and educational support. The 1990 census undercounted a vast number of Native Americans. In one instance the American Indian population of Siskiyou County was listed as having 33 members of the Karuk Tribe when, according to a Tribally conducted Census, there are in fact nearly 1000 Karuk people who reside there. Under counting of the American Indian populace in the last Census created a variety of serious issues. These problems include; less funds for health care, reduced employment training services, limited access to childcare, diminished emergency services and lower educational opportunities. BE COUNTED! -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)

I'm sure that there will be a big fight about this but...... if your not a tribal member how would your marking Native American Indian help anyone. Your not going to help me by lying. Let your conscience be your guide. Doug CrazyCL52@aol.com wrote: > Hi everyone, > > I have a ? about marking the census as Indian. I was always told that I had > Indian in us but as of yet I have not been able to prove it. So should I > still mark it as Indian since I may in fact not be Indian? Or should you > only mark it as Indian if you are registered? I want to be truthful but I > also want the Indians to be counted too so that they may get all that they > deserve. Can someone answer this ? for me. Thanks. > > Carol > > ==== CHOCTAW Mailing List ==== > Looking for your Native American Ancestors in > Pushmataha County, Oklahoma? > Have a look -- http://www.rootsweb.com/~okpushma/ Andre replies: If you consider yourself to be Native then I would encourage you to indicate that on the Census please refer to the following article: http://www.minorities-jb.com/native/special/census1199.html Filling in the Census by Mary Blount, PhD, Census Tribal Liaison, Muskogee Creek Non federal Indians are not getting the full story on how to enumerate and be counted as Indian. These are the rules given to Federal Tribes by the Census Bureau. To make sure you are counted, follow the steps below. Check Indian as the only race listing no other admixture (white, black, etc.). Enter the name of your tribe using only 19 letters. Check with tribal officials to ensure everyone in the tribe is using the same tribal name with same spelling. Be sure that person #1 on the Census lists as Indian, because everyone in the household will be counted as the same race as # 1. Pass it on and your people will be counted appropriately. There are two forms, short and long. The long form has the added question about ancestry which asks nationality, i.e. what your parents-grandparents were. Again, what is filled in is important. What I am telling my tribe is to enter " North American " since the race is already listed as American Indian. . The coding information is true for all minorities, since how the Census statisticians deal with the data is the key. Only full bloods of any race are listed in the primary census reports that are promulgated for national use. The secondary census report data seldom get wide spread discrimination; thus, anyone not counted as full blood does not get counted into program funding which is based upon the primary race count. I know it sounds complex and it is, since it is essentially a governmental, money saving device. Copies of the census forms are available on from the Census Bureau. You can download either short or long copies and get familiar with it. If you have questions, please email me. -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)