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related category: Genealogy

Lenapé Nation Helps
Americans Trace Roots
Workshops Explain How

Grandfather Bernard Humbles' relates his Cherokee roots in an animated discussion.

Participants in a genealogy workshop hosted by Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation learned a variety of ways to trace their Indian ancestors in "Tracing Your Native American Roots."

Guest speaker Grandfather Bernard Humbles of Sewickley presented a general overview of his years of research into eastern Native American and African-American history as he explained how he documented his Cherokee roots. Humbles gave a variety of specific tips for those researching their family history as he shared documentation materials and research sources.

"Once you understand these things, you shouldn't have any problems (tracing your ancestors)," Humbles said.

"I was glad to hear him speak so frankly," said participant Anthony Crowe of Greensburg. "It was refreshing."

Participants explored traditional ways of documenting their family tree and were introduced to new ones using the Internet by Shellie Reed of Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation. Mollie Eliot, also of Thunder Mountain, covered Native American physical characteristics, which can help people determine if they have Native ancestry, and health concerns, which can impact those of Native descent.

Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation is a non-profit group comprised of Lenapé families by ancestry or adoption. They are committed to preserving Lenapé spirituality, heritage and culture, and fostering cultural understanding through sharing with others.

The group plans to accomplish those goals in a new setting in the near future. "We plan to build a Heritage Complex in Nowrytown on a completely undeveloped rural site we are acquiring. Through the generosity of the Topper family, we held our Annual Native American Festival there last August and will do so again this year. We hope to hold some primitive livings skills workshops there this spring," Eliot explained.

Some of the proceeds from the workshop series will be used toward purchasing the property and building the planned museum/cultural community center and living history village.

Source: Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation

More resources to Native American genealogy on the Web:

Native American Genealogy Resources
Cyndi's List - Native American
Native American Genealogy