I am descended from the West family that came from North Carolina and eventually ended up in Miller County Missouri. Abner West and Sarah Laffoon, then Thomas W. West and Barbara Rothwell then Margaret West and James Burnett were all in Missouri. Every single West researcher I've encountered has family rumors of Native American heritage but none that can be substantiated. My grandmother was told she had Indian heritage and there are even stories of tribal involvement with a band in Illinois that I have found some archaelogical proof of, but the tribe is still unknown. Cherokee seems to be the logical assumption, but it is just that. Are there any cousins out there with something to share on this subject??? Anything and everything will be greatly appreciated!!!!! Barbara Courtney