OT: The Americas pre-colonial history chat

[smudge]

Just in case there's more to be said after the slight VA pre-colony threadjack in LL's excellent book thread. I'm guessing that this is a minority interest....

[ltwoman]

Thanks Smudge. We need to highjack the parts of the original thread over here. Can that be done? I am right in the thick of it (pre-colonial history), but ignorant of most of my facts because growing up in Williamsburg it is forced down your throat on a daily basis (but I love living here now as an adult). I have a friend who is a Powhattan and her Dad worked at Jamestown as one of "Indians"; she might know about the book you're looking for. 63falcon-- my Scots settled in Tennessee and I only ended up a Virginian because my mother married a Yankee. I have the Cherokee ancestory as a result of the TN conncection. What is that theory that we are all related by ten generations back, or by 10 people?

[ltwoman]

Smudge, my Powhatan friend says there is a "paperback volume of collectables" done through the Virginia Historical Society, perhaps. Also there is a " monograph referencing the tribes" via the Smithsonian. She also suggested contacting the Virginia Council on Indians and where there is a reference for the tribes of Va. (but I think that's getting pretty far off what you're looking for. Good reference perhaps for others though). Sorry I couldn't get a title.

[63falcon]

As much as I ended up being inadvertantly partially responsible for the "jack", please let me apologize!! History is fun, but not fun-for-all !!!!

[63falcon]

For anyone STILL interested in this OT.....there are a couple other books that could be of interest.
One was published in the mid/late 90's, titled "Hidden Cities". This was written by someone who had worked for Smithsonian Inst., and had interest in the Mound Builder cultures of (mosylt) Mid Western N America. Much is centered here in the Ohio River valley. This man was exploring how the Fouding Fathers (washington, Jefferson, etc...) reacted to the discovery of all the in credibally large and intricate earthen structures. He also goes into speculation of the demise. There is a portion of N America which was called the 'Empty Quarter' by some archeaologists, as tho' folks just disappeared quickly and over a large chunk of land. The Indians in my home County did make some smaller burial mounds earlier on, they speak a Siouan dand they are known to have 'arrived' MUCH later. The same is true of the Navajo of Az/NM, who speak an Athabascan language, and have traditions unrelated to surrounding folks. The Navajo also have extreme avoidence of ANY corpse, even of any structure that a body was in. The mystery novellist, Tony Hillerman, worked tons of accurate Navajo culture into his Navajo tribal police characters novels....
So I have wondered if these later appearing folk were displaced due to some sort of diasater (illness/extreme drought/extensive wars) and showed up to be these Enemy Others who were spoken ill of by their neighbors. The book "Roanoke" touches a bit on this too.
To anyone who wonders if their SOuthern connections bespeak any kinships, well if you have ANY Spruills in the line, and half of the Davenports, we're kin, and come on down for Thanksgiving dinner in N Carolina! Wait, I should really check w/ my Aunt Mary first!!!

[ltwoman]

I AM still interested so let's keep it going! Thanks, 63falcon (no Davenports or Spruills, just Kerrs and Farrs here.)

[63falcon]

There are a fair amount of Parrs in west central VA, and I have seen Kerr both in VA and in eastern NC. I am running short of time and must run, but will check in again w/ any new news.

[ltwoman]

Happy Thanksgiving, all you southerners! We all know that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Virginia (at Berkeley Plantation, I believe) and not in that northern state as many others mistakenly believe! Regardless of heritage, Happy Thanksiving all! Being a southerner we are all about hospitality and welcome everyone to our table!