Agree
My dad always told me I had Native American bloodline.....
....but when I researched, so far, the census does not show this...
....but in the 1800’s generally folks would not identify themselves as NA if they could get away with it.....if they married Caucasian....
....at least that’s my assumption
Finally a relative did DNA test, and there was only scant association
Hi, Elizabeth!
Areas close to Natives, there is still feelings of untrust.
My dad claimed we had NA blood too, but the DNA test showed 0% Native American blood. What it did show was Subsaharan black markers, and my dad had the curliest black hair y’ever did see. His mom also looked... very... not like my other 3 grandparents.
My Dad wanted to be identified as NA (in his case it would have been Canadian First People), because there might have been some benefits to be associated with the tribe. He was unable to demonstrate this because like you found, people did not usually admit to being part Indian if they could pass.
In my generation I took the DNA test and I am 8 %, so my father would likely have been 16%. Too late for him now, but such was the case at the time. My Grandmother (on my father’s side) did look like a native American and her marriage certificate did have her being married in British Colombia. But no mention of ethnicity.
You a Democrat senator from MA, by any chance?
Regards,