Melungeons

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[[Image:

Arch Goins family, Melungeons of Graysville, TN ca. 1920

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History and Tidbits

Melungeons are a group of several hundred families from the Cumberland Gap area of the Appalachians, and surrounding counties of Virgina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina with generally Caucasian features but with olive or swarthy skin color. The ethnic background and mix of these families is contested. Many seem to have American Indian in their background. Some researchers believe Portuguese from as early as the time of Columbus are part of their history. Others say sub-Saharan black Africans are also in the mix, but many insist otherwise. Melungeons are often called a "tri-racial isolate" but some Melungeons object to and deny this terminology.

It is even difficult to pin down exactly which family names can be included in a list of Melungeon names. Candidates include Bowling (Bolin), Bunch, Chavis (Chavez), Collins, Francisco, Gibson, Gill, Goins, Goodman, Minor, Mise, Moore, Mullins, Ridley (Riddle), Rodrigues, Stowers, Williams, and Wise.

Resources

DNA Project

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

Bibliography

• 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.

Genealogy and History Websites

1. Melungeon Heritage Association
2. Melungeons