Do you have Native American blood in your veins? Are you a Policician that stood up and said yes?

Growing up my father claimed that he had "Indian blood".  Which we know we now say "Native American blood".   So when I would list out what my heritage was I always included what my father told us.  Not what the USA govt said I was.

So for me at the time in my life was, my list was: French, French Canadian, French Canadian Indian, Irish, Dutch, Belgian & Native American.  To me it was a fact.  Then when I began my family history research in earnest I was more of the camp I will disprove that I have Native American Ancestors.






Time went along I could not find the needle 
in the haystack of Native American heritage. 
 It was not disproved or proved.







More years passed on and the Ancestry.com was up & running at my normal pace, along with an amazing amount of records.
  Working tru my Dads mother's lines: Which included the Caryls & Babbitts lines.  I followed the trail of some of the lines which brought me into Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island is a hot bed of ancestors for me.  I found out a John Cory 1658-1712 married an Elizabeth Gassett 1661-1713. 
 As I clicked on Elizabeth profile it said she was a Princess.  So I looked at her parents names.  

There was not the name of a European King as her father but rather "Narraganset Chief Gasset" as her father.

So it is was now in front of my face.  Where I was believing we were not Native American.  So I did my own back tracking.
 I find it is correct.  Conclusion Yes I am/still not sure descended from Native Americans.

I am a  12 Great Grandchild of the Narragansett Chief & wife.  It is because some one else took the time to publish their tree that I was able to clarify my lines.  

So as I went on from there and would now comfortable check the box of who I am.  Of course I check Native American.  Why should I not?  Why is only my Northern European heritage worth mentioning?  To me WHO DO I THINK I AM is very important.  As I think of myself in a new light I have stronger sensitivities as to WHO I AM.  

Have you made a discovery to find out you are different then you thought of yourself as?

[I will discuss the French Canadian Indian in another post at a further date, I am in the process of seeking permission].

So when I heard there was a Woman Politician who had checked the Native American box I was like Cool!  There are many of us out there who know we are!  but, like me was not brought in the Native American ways.  Does it make us any less likely to claim it as in Irish heritage.  I was not brought in Irish ways either.  To me its all the same living here in the USA.  We are all a great mix of cultures.  One heritage is not more or less important then another.  But that we have open conversation about our Heritage. To find joy in our ancestors and to be glad for every ancestor that passed their Genes to us. 

A little note: One of my brothers works at a University,  when I told him we were Narragansett he said "I never heard of them".  I told him I had done a post to my blog in regards to the Narragansett before.  I later sent him a page from Wikipedia that discussed the New England Region Native Americans.  

HAPPY ANCESTOR HUNTING/FINDING