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For people of Amerindian family lines, the surnames are not significant
AT ALL to determining a Native American origin. In our Amerindian Ancestry out of Acadia Family Tree DNA study, which
has been on-going since 2006, we've had participants of English and French surnames, both, emerge as not being of England
or of France, but rather of Amerindian (Native American) origins -- much to their surprise -- as assumptions had certainly
been made by professionals and family members alike that having English or French surnames indicated origin, which these surnames
did not clearly, in our Amerindian participants' stories. As participants further document their findings, our
history is repainted -- and the true colours of our heritage emerge.
I consider my 6th Great Grandfather, Joseph Gaschet de Lisle, Deputy of Bordeaux, France during the French Revolution,
and the painting of him that hangs on my living room wall for two reasons: one, to point out that we are of diverse
ancestry, and honour all of our lines, and subscribe to an open philosophy of heritage; the other, to demonstrate the kinds
of records available for people with European family lines. The French were and are wonderful archivists. My
grandmother Asselia had a joyous experience in researching one of our English family lines all the way back to Normandy in
her day and during her travels to France, was welcomed into the homes of families sharing her names and interest (and love
of speaking French). Similarly, she was able to trace another of the English side of our heritage to the Saxons using
standard records-based research techniques during her visits to England -- in days when none of this information was available
electronically, on the Internet. After her death in 1996, my own mother and father continued to receive Christmas cards
from the English families who loved her and her joy of living. I love one of the surnames that emerged from that study:
"Hoo." The churches and markers, while in disrepair often times, are there, at least, and families
are steadfastly interested in sending financial contributions to preserve and restore them -- so that at some future date,
they and their progeny may travel abroad and touch the "family stone."
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Amerindian
Heritage Research A Point
of View
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Those with the Amerindian lines, as I have experienced in my
own research of my Native American roots in Nova Scotia, and four years of follow-on activities, have a different experience
in researching their heritage. The stones -- what stones? -- the records - what records? --the ancient archives?
what ancient archives? are not a part of what can be found for earliest ancestors -- the burial grounds themselves have been
overridden by others who have built their homes and communities upon them -- and the surnames -- well, they fall into the
abyss once you reach the 1600s.
As we research these Amerindian haplogroup types that emerge through our Family
Tree DNA tests and the refinements that follow, and help others who have them (including yours truly, don't forget), the
Amerindian Ancestry out of Acadia Family Tree DNA approach does not segregate, separate, classify, offend, and deny this heritage,
but rather honours the social, cultural and genetic threads that comprise the family of our people.
Let
us NOT ever forget that our approach differs from the traditional, which would seek to eliminate consideration of the path
that cannot be followed, or the name that can't be culled from a written record. Our approach indeed has become
a standard for Amerindian ancestry research, as our study, in particular, is now referenced by others for this data in published
articles and journals.
Let's be proud of this reputation that we have developed since our start in 2006, understand
that our unique approach to researching our roots is shaking up the foundation of genealogical research as it has indeed broken
the traditional model, and continue as we have to share, communicate, and work with the researchers as we have been doing.
Publish the results of your own research so that
at some future date, others may follow in your own footsteps -- or walk beside you in your journey. --Marie Rundquist
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