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The United States, from the start of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies American Colonies], has been and continues to be a melting pot.  People with diverse backgrounds flocked to the American Colonies and later the Unites States to seek sanctuary, freedom from religious and political persecution, those who chose to come to the colonies rather than spend time in jail, economic opportunities, or just simply opportunities for a new start.  People who call the United States home have a variety of backgrounds, especially those who have been here for many years.  You have the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_American European-Americans], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_American Asian-Americans], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American African-Americans], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_American Hispanic/Mexican-American], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_American Australian-Americans], etc.  Any one of these ethnic groups could be discussed in a separate book.

From the start of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies American Colonies], the United States has been and continues to be a melting pot.  People with diverse backgrounds flocked to the American Colonies and later the Unites States to seek sanctuary from religious and political persecution. Many came as an alternative to serving jail time in their home country. Others came seeking economic opportunities. Many simply traveled to the young country looking for opportunities for a fresh start.   

For the purpose of this manual, a brief discussion will occur regarding the main ethnic groups often requested in our department: African-Americans, Native Americans, Europeans, and the growing Hispanic population. Much of the discussion is based on the following text:

Many of the early settlers of [[Wayne County, Ohio]] were of German, English, Scottish, and Irish descent. There were some small French settlements scattered in parts of the county. Later, Italians migrated to [[Wooster, Ohio]], particularly settling in what became known as "Little Italy". 

Szucs, Loretto Dennis and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking.  The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy.  Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry, 1997.

Much of the general information included has been extracted from Szucs, Loretto Dennis and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking.  ''The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy''.  Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry, 1997.

 

* “Tracking African American Family History.” Pages 575-586

“Tracking African American Family History.” Pages 575-586

* “Tracking Hispanic Family History.”  Pages 589-613

“Tracking Hispanic Family History.”  Pages 589-613

* “Tracking Native American Family History.” Pages 521-572

“Tracking Native American Family History.” Pages 521-572

* “Tracking Jewish-American Family History.”  Pages 615-626

“Tracking Jewish-American Family History.”  Pages 615-626

=== African-American ===

=== African-American ===

None of the free colored individuals listed by name in the 1830 or 1840 U.S. census appears to have married in Wayne County, OH.

None of the "free colored" individuals listed by name in the 1830 or 1840 U.S. census appears to have married in [[Wayne County, Ohio]].

 

During some research, three was was known black family of [[Congress Township, Wayne County, Ohio]] by name.  This was the {{Surname|Seasor}} surname. 

 

There is a story told among many of the African-Americans.  Wayne County, OH has been a rather elite community, not being very open to many outsiders, especially those of a different race.  The few blacks who did settle in the communities in Wayne County, OH had great respect among many of the whites and had a desire to stay on good terms with their white counterparts.  As a result, the few blacks in the area did encourage “riff-raff of their own kind” to continue moving through Wooster and the vicinity without stopping.  Another story told is that at one time there was a colored only cemetery off of Portage Rd.  This story has not been verified.

 

====Resources====

====Library Dept. Resources====

* Ohio-Wayne-African Americans

* Ohio-Wayne-African Americans

** One notebook not indexed

** One notebook not indexed

** Divided into 4 different sections: church, people, Underground railroad, and miscellaneous

** Divided into 4 different sections: church, people, Underground railroad, and miscellaneous

===Amish===

===Amish===

General information about Indigenous peoples and societies of Wayne County, Ohio may be found on the page titled [[Native Americans of Wayne County, Ohio]], as this section focuses on tracing Native American genealogy.

General information about Indigenous peoples and societies of Wayne County, Ohio may be found on the page titled [[Native Americans of Wayne County, Ohio]], as this section focuses on tracing Native American genealogy.

Much of Native American ancestry is comprised of oral traditions and stories passed down from one generation to the next generation.  In the past, it was shameful for family members to marry a Native American.  As a result, whenever possible, any trace of Native American ancestry was covered up.  This does not mean it is impossible to research Native American ancestry—it just means it will take more digging and perseverance on the researcher’s part.

Much of Native American ancestry is comprised of oral traditions and stories passed down from one generation to the next generation.  In the past, it was considered shameful for family members to marry a Native American.  As a result, whenever possible, any trace of Native American ancestry was covered up.  This does not mean it is impossible to research Native American ancestry—it just means it will take more digging and perseverance on the researcher’s part.

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 ancestor.  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 ties or relatives.  Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence.  There are many different Indigenous groups and almost all of these were forcibly moved during America's westward expansion.  To gain a better understanding of which indigenous cultures 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 for a non-indigenous ancestor.  Do not try to go from a particular group forward.  When possible, interview family members.  They may recall stories indicating that an ancestor had Native American ties or relatives.  Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence.  There are many different indigenous groups and almost all of these were forcibly moved during America's westward expansion.  To gain a better understanding of which indigenous cultures 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.   

Several resources about Native American ancestry 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 resources about Native American ancestry can be found in the Genealogy Department.  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. 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.   

Many researchers have great difficulty tracking their Native American ancestors.  If your indigenous ancestors were alive during the relocation of the Native Americans, or if they were born following the relocation, then their name should appear on the rolls compiled by the Federal government.  A couple other options may exist.  Your ancestors may have chosen not to move westward during forced relocations. Instead, they may have accepted a federal grant of land near their home and became an American citizen.  Another option may be that the ancestor may have disappeared into a remote area that white settlers and authorities rarely penetrated. Finally, it is possible your ancestor lived earlier or was not an indigenous person despite family folklore.

Many researchers have great difficulty tracking their Native American ancestors.  If your indigenous ancestors were alive during the relocation of the Native Americans, or if they were born following the relocation, then their name should appear on the rolls compiled by the Federal government.  A couple other options may exist.  Your ancestors may have chosen not to move westward during forced relocations. Instead, they may have accepted a federal grant of land near their home and became an American citizen.  Another option may be that the ancestor may have disappeared into a remote area that white settlers and authorities rarely penetrated. Finally, it is possible your ancestor lived at an earlier time, or was not an indigenous person, despite family folklore.

 

====Additional Resources & Native American External Links====

====Additional Resources & Native American External Links====

For genealogical researchers, the [https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/research-individual National Archives] has an easy to use site with detailed information about how to search for Native American ancestors by utilizing Federal records such as past census data, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) records, and military records. These also include Dawes Enrollment cards.

For genealogical researchers, the [https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/research-individual National Archives] has an easy to use site with detailed information about how to search for Native American ancestors by utilizing Federal records such as past census data, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) records, and military records. These also include Dawes Enrollment cards.

Indian school records may include tribal affiliation, degree of Native American blood, names of parents, home address, dates of arrival and departure, attendance records, health cards, and letters to parents and social workers.  Enrollment records contain the name of the Indian tribe and date of validity, name (including given name, birth name, and married names), sex, date of death (when applicable), probate number (when applicable), degree of Native American blood, names of both parents, and blood degree of parents. At times, when a person or family was denied enrollment, a court case is on file. Allotment records of land parcels among adult Native Americans who were of at least one-half Native American blood may provide some clues.  When allotments were provided on reservation tracts, Federal government records may be tapped.  Land claims made by Indigenous peoples against the government for monies owed them for land taken away and not adequately paid for during treaty eras may provide clues.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs is another source that may provide a wealth of information to researchers.  A more detailed list of other sources may be found in ''The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy'', pages 531-571.  The IGI (International Genealogical Index) for 1988 includes one microfiche on Native Americans and the 1992 edition includes three microfiche. Additional information may be found through the website [http://www.familysearch.org Family Search].

The [https://www.ohiohistory.org/learn/american-indian-relations Ohio History Connection] website has multiple pages devoted to the past and ongoing contributions of indigenous peoples to the wider state. They also provide an [http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=25&g2_page=1 interactive digital exhibit] of indigenous peoples from the first settlement of Ohio through the time of Euro-American settler colonialism.

Other resources commonly used to trace non-Native American ancestry may be used to trace Native Americans.  U.S. Census records indicate the race and ethnicity of the individuals included.  Vital records and obituaries may provide some clues.  Published family histories, both electronically and in book form may give information.  County and early state histories often times recount experiences with Indigenous peoples.  Various websites on the Internet should not be ignored but should be taken with a grain of salt due to the ease with which misinformation can be spread online.

 

Other resources commonly used to trace non-Native American ancestry may be used to trace Native Americans.  U.S. Census records indicate the race and ethnicity of the individuals included.  Vital records and obituaries may provide some clues.  Published family histories, both electronically and in book form may give information.  County and early state histories often times recount experiences with indigenous peoples.  Various websites on the Internet should not be ignored but should be taken with a grain of salt, due to the ease with which misinformation can be spread online.

=== European ===

=== European ===

European research encompasses many faucets of research.  It is beyond the scope of this manual to discuss in great detail the many European settlers that have migrated to Wayne County, OH.  Some discussion is devoted in the chapter on migration that gives more detail to the various ethnic groups in Wayne County, OH.  Germans and Swiss were the most common ethnic groups.  Many of the Swiss families settled in the Kidron, Sugar Creek Township as well as Milton and Green Townships.  A number of these Swiss families were Amish “Anabaptist” Mennonites.  Many were from Bern Canton, Switzerland; Sonnenberg, Switzerland; and Alsace, France.  A more detailed account of these immigrants may be found in the book, Crosswinds: From Switzerland to Crown Hill by James O. Lehman.

European research encompasses many faucets of research.  It is beyond the scope of this manual to discuss in great detail the many European settlers that have migrated to Wayne County, OH.  Some discussion is devoted in the chapter on migration that gives more detail to the various ethnic groups in Wayne County, OH.  Germans and Swiss were the most common ethnic groups.  Many of the Swiss families settled in the Kidron, Sugar Creek Township as well as Milton and Green Townships.  A number of these Swiss families were Amish “Anabaptist” Mennonites.  Many were from Bern Canton, Switzerland; Sonnenberg, Switzerland; and Alsace, France.  A more detailed account of these immigrants may be found in the book, Crosswinds: From Switzerland to Crown Hill by James O. Lehman.

==== French ====

==== French ====