Why do a lot of people clame to have native American heritage when the genealogical records show otherwise?

Answer 1

You can't depend on genealogical records alone to determine Native American heritage. There was a ridiculously long period in American history where Native Americans had no rights - and I do mean NONE. They couldn't buy anything, they couldn't sell anything, they couldn't technically OWN anything. They couldn't go into business for themselves, or own a home or property, either - all on top of not being able to live where they wanted to, or in their ancestral homes.

For this reason, many native families "passed" as something else. Some said that they were Italian, some said they were Mexican - and other races they thought had darker complexions. Consequently, their names did not appear on any roles kept of the native population, and this fact really throws wrenches into folks nowadays doing research on their genealogy.

I am Cherokee and Sioux, and have no problems proving the Cherokee portion, but I got my Sioux blood because my great grandmother's family had a three year old daughter stolen once by the Sioux, and a year later they managed to steal a four year old Sioux girl to "replace" their daughter. I am descended from that stolen Sioux baby, and there are no official genealogical records to prove this, just my family records and photographs that can not be denied. My grandmother used to tell me how lucky I was to be able to admit publicly that I had Indian blood. She was never allowed to do so, both by her family and by society.

I walked into a store one time that sold native art and was clerked by native people. I bought a book on the Cherokee language, and the clerk asked me why I was buying a Cherokee book when I was so obviously Sioux. I was a little startled, but she could see it in my features. Some things, there is just no way to deny.

So don't be so inflexible in your belief in the accuracy of the genealogical records - they are not the be all end all of historic fact and records. Not everything can be documented, and not everything WAS back in the days when other things were more important to people.

Answer 2

Because native americans are "hip" to a lot of people...those who are caught up in the romantic dream of the long gone pristine American landscape, those who wish perhaps that it hadn't been destroyed and desecrated...also those who are wishing for a more earthy and rewarding spirituality than the Christianity practiced by at their suburban home for hypocrisy, I mean church...to many people, the idea of native americans and their lifestyle is seen as more in touch with things that are important and less surface. Also think about it...geneological records or no, I bet there ARE a lot of people in this country that do have a little native blood somewhere in there family tree. It just seems cool to people now to include themselves.

Answer 3

There are many people who never bothered to do the research to try to prove their family history. There are people who claim to be descended from Royalty, from a Revolutionary War solder, from Nobility, and/or from a famous American like Sitting Bull.

Sometimes when searching you hit a brick wall. You find you can not prove the stories you were told, and/or the truth is too embarrassing for the family, like descent from a famous person's mistress. In those cases, sometimes it is easier to make up a story about being descended from the Navaho nation than to admit you have no idea where your great great great grandfather came from.

Now with DNA studies you can have your or/and a relatives blood tested and see if your Mt-DNA fits the theory you were descended from a particular matriarch.

If in doubt, save the money and get it tested. I want to.

I don't know who my great grandma on my Dad's father's side really was, but latest research said she may have been a German servant. We only have been able to find the marriage certificate with a name, but the information doesn't match up.

Have a nice Day.

Answer 4

Short and sweet. Most are Native Americans, they were here in America first. Others came from other countries. Native Americans are true Natives. But, also keep in mind that people from other countries fell in love with Native Americans. So, some people are both. The DNA testing of Natives will tell them how much their percentage of their blood is Indian. My boyfriend's mom was full Apache. He was tested and he is 3/4 Apache.

Answer 5

They claim native American heritage, because is their only way to say they are Americans, because if we look at history, Americans are Europeans and Africans.

So this is a way for them to fell more patriotic, and to say that they are real Americans, and not Europeans or Africans, and in the modern times Asians, Latinos and Oceanic(Australia, New Zealand...)

If they don't claim their native American heritage, there is no proof that they are American

Answer 6

Here's a better question: "Why does one have to have a certain amount of Native blood to be recognized as such?" I have some, but the ancestor is so far back it's hardly worth the documentation. So I'll never be admitted to a tribe because I don't have enough and without tribal association, I couldn't get any help for college

Answer 7

Well, probably because their parents or grandparents told them there was some person, and most families don't have great records of geneology past the most recent 3-4 generations (great grandparents, grandparent, parent, child). I have been told that I have one woman a hundred or so years ago on my mother's side that was native american. I can believe it because I am primarily Irish and Scottish so I should have pale freckled skin, and I actually have darker skin than most of my relatives.

Answer 8

Grasping for a title. The need to belong somewhere. I'm german, native american and french... In other words plain white. I have no set culture, no tradition, nothing to make me feel proud of my ancestors, we all know why (One word... Germany, and french, people automatically think armpit hair). Even though I have native american ancestors, I do not claim them, only from what I consider respect to true native americans. So, I believe most who claim to be so, do out of lack of culture and tradition. They want to feel connected in some way.

Answer 9

In my case my great grandmother had an affair while her husband was off at war, and the daughter was half white and half native. But since that was frowned upon, her father was listed as my great grandmothers husband.
The name of the man wasn't even known to my grandmother(his daughter), so I can't go back and trace him, but his blood is still in my family.

Answer 10

The Records mean nothing to me, nor do i try to get anything from the government.
I'm Cherokee, and i carry all the believes.
My Parents Taught What They Could And After ,,,,,
I Researched myself,
I AM Proud, ~ WHO ~ What I am ~ And What I Give Back.
Besides its very easy to see Cherokee in a Person ~ high cheek bones ~ skin tone ~ deep dark eyes ~ Long Dark Hair ~ The respect they have for the earth and nature.MORALS.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ Peace. "wa-do"