I find it refreshing that that my humble reply to the Harman posting has resulted in such spirited debate. My statement that the Harman Family had a Tuscarora connection was not really far-fetched since I am an enrolled Tuscarora and have Harman ancestors. These ancestors most probably, have African-American Blood. However, if this list is going to try to help people find their roots, then family oral tradition, and photographs, can be valuable tools and need to be considered, before telling making blank statements.. Since the list did not have access to the photographs, I can understand, based on someone elses research, the conclusion was drawn, that the Harman family was not Indian. I would hope that if Mr. Brown only found one Native American Eastern Shore family in his research, that he would continue his efforts. The genocide of our peoples wasn't as complete as some would lead you to believe. Regards, Brent Mitchel Tuscarora Tuscarora Lines; Conner, Mitchel, Jack, George, Senaca, and Jacobs

On the Harmon's being Tuscarora, I have to agree with Mr. Brown on that one. They were not. But, as I responded, I believe that they do have Indian ancestry, but that ancestry would have came from one of the upper Eastern shore groups. While I am a proponent of Indian people and groups, I also try to be realistic. You stated that you were a member of the Tuscarora tribe. There is only one true Tuscarora tribe that I know of to exist, and they are in upper New York. If you are a member of that tribe, then it would not be based on Harmon ancestry. On the other hand, if you claim to be a member of the "Southern Tuscarora", then that doesn't mean very much. As they have no form of recognition, state nor federal. Nor can any that I am aware of document from "any" person called Tuscarora on "any" record. From what I have learned, some say they can, but the proof is in the lineage, not mere words. I would like to be proven wrong, but that is merely my opinion. Being Indian is documented from an "Indian" person, not a surname. This is what gives people like Mr. Brown ammunition in tossing Indian claims aside. People toss surnames around but show no connection to them. Many unrelated people share surnames, white black, or otherwise. A tie to an Indian needs to be established before a person calls themselves Indian at least. Also, photographs dont prove a person to be Indian. Because a person may appear to be of mixed blood does not mean that that mixture includes Indian. People opinion of what an Indian looks like varies extensively. While I may look at late1800 pictures of plains Indians and say that that person is undoubtedly Indian, another person And look at a photo of a person who for all intent and purposes looks white and say they look Indian. Many people think that "mulatto's", in the true sense of the word look Indian. Others may not. I have visited among the Tuscarora in New York and spoken to Chief Patterson there. They recognized none of the several different Tuscarora named groups that has existed in North Carolina. Most Tuscarora claims appear to be bogus. I could be wrong, but if someone has documentation that ties them to any documented Tuscarora, then they would probably be a welcomed member of the New York tribe. Indian descended people are still here and will always be here, whether some folks try to erase us or not. But Indian people, be careful of your claims. Doug ----- Original Message ----- From: ColinMitchel <COLINMITCHEl@worldnet.att.net> To: <NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 8:56 AM Subject: Re: Re: Harmon family > I find it refreshing that that my humble reply to the Harman posting has resulted in such spirited debate. > > My statement that the Harman Family had a Tuscarora connection was not really far-fetched since I am an enrolled Tuscarora and have Harman ancestors. These ancestors most probably, have African-American Blood. However, if this list is going to try to help people find their roots, then family oral tradition, and photographs, can be valuable tools and need to be considered, before telling making blank statements.. > > Since the list did not have access to the photographs, I can understand, based on someone elses research, the conclusion was drawn, that the Harman family was not Indian. > > I would hope that if Mr. Brown only found one Native American Eastern Shore family in his research, that he would continue his efforts. The genocide of our peoples wasn't as complete as some would lead you to believe. > > Regards, > > Brent Mitchel > Tuscarora > > Tuscarora Lines; Conner, Mitchel, Jack, George, Senaca, and Jacobs > > > > > ==== NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA Mailing List ==== > This NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA list is currently available for adoption! > Interested in becoming the list manager? Go here: > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/adoptrequest.html > > > ============================== > Free Web space. ANY amount. ANY subject. > RootsWeb's Freepages put you in touch with millions. > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi