An interesting article, Meagan, but I was surprised (and a bit disappointed) that you didn’t mention the Melungeon in it. There was always a story in my family (from Alabama) that we were part Cherokee. My great-grandmother had high cheekbones which everyone believed supported that theory.

Melungeons were people of bi-racial or tri-racial background, usually of Portuguese and African descent, sometimes also Native American. Because of the “one drop” doctrine, and because Melungeons usually had olive skin and could “pass” as Native American, many claimed to be Cherokee. And it stuck in family lore.

I found out that I most likely do NOT have any Native American blood (and found out about the Melungons) when I had my DNA profile done by 23andme.com.