Hi Suzanne- There is an article on the Delaware state Gen Web page <www.usgenweb.org> (click on Delaware) which talks about the vanishing Indians of Delaware. They disappear because they go white- sort of like going native in reverse. If they LOOK like Indians and wear buckskin, they may be listed on the census as Mulatto ( a catch-all category for non-whites); but when they live in houses and wear regular clothes, and especially when they become financially well off, they become white. Another reason they may be hard to find- look at the census categories. in 1790 there are free white males, free white females, all other free persons, and slaves. However, Indians were not included in the category of all other free persons. Also in the 19th century there was a lot of prejudice and discrimination, so lots of Native Americans were reluctant to acknowledge their NA roots. Please see the page on my Broomhall website about Thomas Broomall, a Tuscarora Indian. <www.springhillfarm.com/broomhall/thomas4b.html> Anne Broomall Wiegle -----Original Message----- From: Suzanne J. Moller [SMTP:SMoller1@compuserve.com] Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2000 1:30 PM To: PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [PACHESTE] Native American Roots Dear List members, I have very good reason to believe that the first of my ancestors, surname SILPATH, was a Native American. The area is around the Burlington, NJ area. I know from history books that there was a very large population of Native Americans in that area in the Colonial times. The family story (known and told by each branch - even though the branches didn't know one another), is that the first SILPATH was a Native American and that he fell in love and married a colonial girl. He then changed his name from Silver Path to Silpath. I don't know how to research that information. Can anyone give me guidance? The earliest Silpaths that I have proof of date to about 1740's. I can't find the name on Ship records. All Silpaths that I do find are definitely related. There is only ONE Silpath family. Any guidance that anyone can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Suzanne ______________________________