| The best way to start Native American ancestry is to start with the known and work backwards to the unknown. Follow the same research techniques as you would a non-Native American forebear. Do not try to go from a particular tribe forward. When possible, interview family members. They may recall stories indicating that an ancestor had Native American blood in him or her. Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence. There were many different tribes. To gain a better understanding of which tribes may have been present at the time the researcher’s ancestor was residing in the area, it may be necessary to research the county, regional, and/or state in which the ancestor lived. | | The best way to start Native American ancestry is to start with the known and work backwards to the unknown. Follow the same research techniques as you would a non-Native American forebear. Do not try to go from a particular tribe forward. When possible, interview family members. They may recall stories indicating that an ancestor had Native American blood in him or her. Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence. There were many different tribes. To gain a better understanding of which tribes may have been present at the time the researcher’s ancestor was residing in the area, it may be necessary to research the county, regional, and/or state in which the ancestor lived. |
− | Much of the land that is now situated in Wayne County, OH was used for hunting by the Native Americans. There were a few pockets of Native Americans residing in our county. Most of the written record we have here in our collection pertaining to Native Americans in Wayne County, OH is from reminisces of early pioneers. Douglass reports many of these in his history book. There are a couple incidents that are often discussed. One is the massacre on Madison Hill in Wooster in which 16 Native Americans were killed. It is sometimes referred to as the massacre on Robison’s Hill. A description of the account is given on pages 168-170 of Douglass’ History of Wayne County, OH. In summary, Captain George Fulkes organized a company of 30 men to seek blood revenge for the murder of 5 settlers and the burning of 7 dwellings near Raccoon Creek (near the Ohio River and “some distance from Pittsburg, PA”). Fulkes company caught up with the group of Indians just south of the town of Wooster, near the intersection of South Beaver St and Madison Ave. Late at night, with the moon shining brightly, Fulkes Company advanced on the group of Indians and massacred them all, with the exception of one Indian who was checking the traps. It was not long until Captain Fulkes lured the young lad toward him and the young Indian was fatally shot. All 16 bodies were buried in a shallow grave near where the fallen Indians lay.
| |
− | In the Archaeological Atlas of Ohio, on page 85, there is a break down of the number of Indian mounds, enclosures, village sites, and burials in several townships. At the time of publication of the book, there were 42 known sites in Wayne County, OH.
| |
− | On the 1840 map of Wayne County, OH it shows that there was an Indian Reservation in Mohican Twp, Wayne Co, OH just south of Jeromesville. Mohican Township is presently located in Ashland Co, OH. The Indian trail that led to the Indian Reservation went through the townships (east to west) Paint; north into Sugar Creek; west through East Union; northwestern through Wooster (through the southern portion of Wooster City); west through northern Plain; and finally west through Mohican, taking a slight southern course to arrive at the reservation.
| |
| Several Native American resources can be found in our collection. Many of them pertain to the “Five Civilized Tribes” of the Southeastern United States. These included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and the Seminole. Just a brief mention will be made about these tribes since these tribes are not found in Ohio. On page 29 of the book, Tracing Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes: Southeastern Indians Prior to Removal, a simplified map showing the territory of the five Civilized Tribes is included. From the years 1600-1800, the Seminole Indians were located dominantly in what is today the state of Florida. The Creek were located in the state of Georgia, the western portion of South Carolina, and the central, eastern, and southeastern Alabama. The Choctaw were located in the western half of Alabama and the central and southern portion of Mississippi. The Chickasaw were located in northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, and southwestern Kentucky. The Cherokee were located in northern Alabama, northern Georgia, northern and central South Carolina, eastern half of Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and a small portion of southern West Virginia. Many records of the "Civilized Tribes" were kept by the Federal government. | | Several Native American resources can be found in our collection. Many of them pertain to the “Five Civilized Tribes” of the Southeastern United States. These included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and the Seminole. Just a brief mention will be made about these tribes since these tribes are not found in Ohio. On page 29 of the book, Tracing Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes: Southeastern Indians Prior to Removal, a simplified map showing the territory of the five Civilized Tribes is included. From the years 1600-1800, the Seminole Indians were located dominantly in what is today the state of Florida. The Creek were located in the state of Georgia, the western portion of South Carolina, and the central, eastern, and southeastern Alabama. The Choctaw were located in the western half of Alabama and the central and southern portion of Mississippi. The Chickasaw were located in northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, and southwestern Kentucky. The Cherokee were located in northern Alabama, northern Georgia, northern and central South Carolina, eastern half of Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and a small portion of southern West Virginia. Many records of the "Civilized Tribes" were kept by the Federal government. |