Her name was Elizabeth Louise Goins and was in a Tennessee orphanage with her sister Jewel Goins. They later went to Muskogee, Oklahoma where they are both buried. We have been told since we didn't have a cherokee # to identify us, we have no recourse insofar as what we are entitled to as her heirs. I have a living mother and uncle and 3 cousins and for years we have been trying to find out what our rights and benefits are. Please help us in this endeavor.
2007-10-23 09:11:55 · 6 answers · asked by BHold 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
before even considering benefits, your immediate goal is to verify the parents and ancestry for Elizabeth and Jewel. I did try searching for them, but there were no dates or married names that I could hook into.
Just a heads up... your grandmother may NOT be Cherokee. Goins is well known as one of the 'core' families in Melungeon genealogy. Melungeon is a debated topic, but generally will include persons of dark complexion, who are characterized as having kept much to themselves, and who MAY OR MAY NOT be of Native lineage.
Without judging, it is important to know that MANY families claim to "know" their ancestor was Cherokee, and the documents wind up either not supporting it, or fully disproving it. Keep an open mind.
Proof of your ancestry or ethnic background is one angle. Tribal enrollment is another thing, and my understanding is that if your ancestors were not accepted on Dawes, you will not be eligible to enroll.. even if you do find confirmation of Native blood.
If you want to post the known specifics for grandma and her sister, I am sure you can get some help to break through on their parents and family. I would be careful on expectations that it will prove Cherokee.
2007-10-23 11:08:02 · answer #1 · answered by wendy c 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Well, try taking a trip to visit the Cherokee Tribal Councils in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They can assist you better than anyone how to go about filling out paper work and helping you find your family's roll number.
Two of my friends went this route, but unto a different tribe which is in Virginia. They were both reinstated back into their grandmother's tribe. It is fustrating, and tedious, but it is what you will have to do to obtain reinstatement.
The percentage is not counted for anymore as it was in the past. You're either Indian or you are not. Proving it, is the problem. Native Americans are very shrewed, and protective when it comes to outsiders claiming to be of their Clan/ or tribe.
Or, you can go to the library and ask the head librarian about the Cherokee Indian Western Dawg Roll Bands..since your grandmother was pure Cherokee, she should be listed under that dawg roll. But, there are a few dawg rolls, just submit the accurate info to the librarian and she should direct you to the rolls.
Your other option would be to write to the Buearu Department of Indain Affairs and address your question to them. (this organization is very shrewed and straight to the point), they recieve questions like this a million times a day..so make sure you do not waste their time..(just giving you the heads up on them).
You should not have a problem getting reinstated since you have all of the information concerning your grandmother's Cherokee ancestry line.
Do not give up, people do get reinstated..it is just the process and paper work that is a pain! When you do get reinstated, colleges, land, and housing, become a privelage as it was for me!
Good luck with your results.
(but go the tribal, council route if, the Head librarian cannot assist you, but she should, it is part of her job as a professional, and if she is the head librarian, she should be able to work wonders for you. It is one of her job responsibilities).
Oh, I forgot to mention, the Mormons, or Jesus christ church of latter day saints are EXPERTS in this sort of thing, as well as genealogy...they can find a pin in a haystack, sort a speak...
good luck to you!
2007-10-27 07:25:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wendy is quite right. If your ancestor is not on the Dawes Roll you are entitled to nothing. Even if they are on the Dawes Roll and you have every bit of your documentation it is unlikely the tribe will accept you. They are very picky who they bring in. I've been trying to get accepted for a long time but I can't get my grandmother's birth certificate, the courthouse where it was housed burned several years ago so there is no longer a record of her birth.
If you are at this just for the benefits don't waste your time. You will only be disappointed.
2007-10-23 12:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by Holly N 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Interesting - my grandfather was a Goins also. Have you heard of Melungeons? It's a common Melungeon name (who are generally a mix of white, black and native american). I'm wondering if you're from KY or TN or somewhere thereabouts.
Anyhow, I believe that to get tribal benefits, you have to have been raised within the tribe, but I could be wrong.
2007-10-23 17:09:38 · answer #4 · answered by Rebecca W 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I too, had a grandmother who was 100% cherokee, but left with little ways to prove it!! Most of the old relatives are dead/won't talk about it!! good luck, lots of road blocks ahead
2007-10-23 09:21:35 · answer #5 · answered by happywjc 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
idk your a quarter then...
i'm about 35% indian idk wat r advantages r...
2007-10-23 14:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋