Melungeons: Difference between revisions
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The term "Melungeon" has generally been applied to a widely distributed group of people associated with the general region of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky in the United States, but perhaps concentrated in the general area of Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Northwest North Carolina. Although definitions of what exactly constitute a Melungeon differ, these are a mixed-race people. | The term "Melungeon" has generally been applied to a widely distributed group of people associated with the general region of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky in the United States, but perhaps concentrated in the general area of Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Northwest North Carolina. Although definitions of what exactly constitute a Melungeon differ, these are a mixed-race people. | ||
Some have been described as being "swarthy" or at least somewhat dark-skinned appearance, but the physical characteristics of Melungeons differ greatly. Because this is a mixed race group of people, and because the exact racial characteristics vary, it is impossible to pin down a precise Melungeon appearance. | Some have been described as being "swarthy" or at least somewhat dark-skinned appearance, but the physical characteristics of Melungeons differ greatly. Because this is a mixed race group of people, and because the exact racial characteristics vary, it is impossible to pin down a precise Melungeon appearance. In addition, again because of the mixed race nature of Melungeons, even siblings can differ greatly in their physical characteristics. That is demonstrated by the photo that accompanies this article. | ||
Melungeon identity is assumed to involve a mixture of some combination of Western European, Native American, and African ancestry, with early assertions of "Portuguese" or "Portuguese Indian" background being widely claimed. The term "tri-racial isolate" has been academically applied to this group, but this term is problematic in that not all Melungeons claim a tri-racial identity and, in many cases, these families appear to be anything but "isolates." | Melungeon identity is assumed to involve a mixture of some combination of Western European, Native American, and African ancestry, with early assertions of "Portuguese" or "Portuguese Indian" background being widely claimed. The term "tri-racial isolate" has been academically applied to this group, but this term is problematic in that not all Melungeons claim a tri-racial identity and, in many cases, these families appear to be anything but "isolates." | ||
Stories and claims abound as to how this group of people descend from Portuguese, or Turks and/or Moors who navigated to the American shores with the Portuguese, and who intermarried with Native Americans prior to English settlement. | Stories and claims abound as to how this group of people descend from Portuguese, or Turks and/or Moors, who navigated to the American shores with the Portuguese, and who intermarried with Native Americans prior to English settlement. | ||
Some of the most prominent surnames that have been claimed as potentially associated with a Melungeon identity include Bowling (Bolin), Bunch, Chavis (Chavez), Collins, Francisco, Gibson, Gill, Goins, Goodman, Minor, Mise, Moore, Mullins, Ridley (Riddle), Rodrigues, Stowers, Williams, and Wise.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Melungeon," ''Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon (accessed January 31, 2009).</ref> | Some of the most prominent surnames that have been claimed as potentially associated with a Melungeon identity include Bowling (Bolin), Bunch, Chavis (Chavez), Collins, Francisco, Gibson, Gill, Goins, Goodman, Minor, Mise, Moore, Mullins, Ridley (Riddle), Rodrigues, Stowers, Williams, and Wise.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Melungeon," ''Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon (accessed January 31, 2009).</ref> | ||
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History and Tidbits[edit | edit source]
The term "Melungeon" has generally been applied to a widely distributed group of people associated with the general region of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky in the United States, but perhaps concentrated in the general area of Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Northwest North Carolina. Although definitions of what exactly constitute a Melungeon differ, these are a mixed-race people.
Some have been described as being "swarthy" or at least somewhat dark-skinned appearance, but the physical characteristics of Melungeons differ greatly. Because this is a mixed race group of people, and because the exact racial characteristics vary, it is impossible to pin down a precise Melungeon appearance. In addition, again because of the mixed race nature of Melungeons, even siblings can differ greatly in their physical characteristics. That is demonstrated by the photo that accompanies this article.
Melungeon identity is assumed to involve a mixture of some combination of Western European, Native American, and African ancestry, with early assertions of "Portuguese" or "Portuguese Indian" background being widely claimed. The term "tri-racial isolate" has been academically applied to this group, but this term is problematic in that not all Melungeons claim a tri-racial identity and, in many cases, these families appear to be anything but "isolates."
Stories and claims abound as to how this group of people descend from Portuguese, or Turks and/or Moors, who navigated to the American shores with the Portuguese, and who intermarried with Native Americans prior to English settlement.
Some of the most prominent surnames that have been claimed as potentially associated with a Melungeon identity include Bowling (Bolin), Bunch, Chavis (Chavez), Collins, Francisco, Gibson, Gill, Goins, Goodman, Minor, Mise, Moore, Mullins, Ridley (Riddle), Rodrigues, Stowers, Williams, and Wise.[1]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
DNA Project[edit | edit source]
This site is self-explantatory about the DNA projects hosted and currently underway. The site has larger list of known surnames.
The Melungeon DNA Surname Project.
References[edit | edit source]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Kennedy, Robyn Vaughan. The Melungeons: The Resurrection of a Proud People. 180 pp.
A very useful review of Kennedy's book was published in:
- DeMarce, Virginia Easley. "Review Essay: The Melungeons," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 84, No. 2 (June 1996):134-139. FHL Book 973 B2ng
Dr. DeMarce, former President of the National Genealogical Society, casts serious doubt on some of Kennedy's conclusions. Other scholarly articles DeMarce has published on the subject include:
- DeMarce, Virginia Easley. "Looking at Legends - Lumbee and Melungeon: Applied Genealogy and the Origins of Tri-racial Isolate Settlements," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 81, No. 1 (March 1993):24-45. FHL Book 973 B2ng
Genealogy and History Websites[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Melungeon," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon (accessed January 31, 2009).
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