While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
For the enjoyment of our readers we offer many
Indian History books on our site, you are welcome to read each
one, please don't copy them and put them up on another site as
some have done. Copy the pages that are of interest to
your research.
Notes On The
Caddo By Elsie Clews Parsons The following data were recorded in New York City in the
winter of 1921-22 with the cooperation of White Moon, a recent Caddo
graduate of Carlisle who in New York shrewdly called himself Chief
Silver Moon. In Oklahoma he was generally known as Mike Martin. In
December, 1927, at Anadarko, Oklahoma, while collecting folk tales
from the Kiowa, I had opportunities to check up on some of White
Moon's data and to add to them, as I worked with two middle-aged men,
James Ingkanish, a Caddo; and Grayson Pardon or Ninnid, whose mother
was a Delaware, his father, Caddo, and his father's father's father, a
Frenchman.
Traditions of the Caddo, By George A. Dorsey
The Caddo tales here presented were collected during
the years 1903-1905, under the auspices of the Carnegie Institution
of Washington, and form part of a systematic investigation of the
religious system and ceremonial organization of the tribes of the
Caddoan stock.
The Caddo, numbering 530 in 1903, are of Caddoan stock, and
since 1859 have lived in western Oklahoma between the Washita and
Canadian rivers, where they have been closely associated with the
Wichita. They retain practically nothing of their ancient culture.
Their early home was in Louisiana, on the lower Red River. Later
they migrated toward the Texas border, and still later to Brazos
River in Texas. They met the whites as early as 1540, and throughout
their history have maintained a friendly attitude toward the whites.
Like the Wichita, their early habitations were conical grass lodges,
and they were agriculturists, hunting the buffalo only within
comparatively recent times.
History of the Cherokee Indians, By Emmet Starr This mammoth undertaking is presented here as his
Biographiesand
Genealogies. Most people know Starr's
work is far from perfect and does contain many errors, but it
certainly is a starting point to gather information.
He does provide relationships between families that you can use
to search for additional or correct information on your ancestors.
I would never discount his work or others until I have proven
what they say in incorrect.
These Databases are searchable by surname.
Proposals Made
by certain Cherokee Indians, for the Cession of their Lands to the
United States Message From the President of the United States,
Transmitting A Report of the Secretary of War, Respecting Proposals
made by Certain Cherokee Indians for the Cession of their Lands to the
United States April 16, 1824.
Search this database by Date.
The
Cherokees of the Smoky Mountains An in depth look into the history and origin of the Cherokees of
the Smoky Mountains. From the Papers of Horace Kephart.
Search this database by date.
An Overland Journey to the West Journal kept by B. B. Cannon, Conductor of a party of Emigrating
Cherokee Indians, put in his charge at the Cherokee Agency East, by
Gen. N. Smith, Superintendent of Cherokee Removals, on the 13th day of
October, 1837.
Search by date.
Red Bird Smith and the Keetoowah Society
Redbird Smith, who was the moving spirit of the Nighthawk branch of
the Keetoowah organization of Full-blood Cherokees, was born July 19th, 1850, somewhere
near the city of Ft. Smith, Ark. His father
and mother, together with other Cherokees
being enroute to Indian Territory from
Georgia.
History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
by Andrew J.
Blackbird I deem it not improper to present the history of the last
race of Indians now existing in the State of Michigan, called
the Ottawa and Chippewa Nations of Indians.
There were many other tribes of Indians in this region
prior to the occupancy of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of
this State, who have long ago gone out of existence. Not a page
of their history is on record; but only an allusion to them in
our traditions. Complete book, FREE to read
Life
Among The Choctaw Indians And Sketches of the South-West, by
Henry C. Benson The Indian tribes
of the south-west are the largest and most hopeful on the continent;
and yet not a single volume has been written, setting forth their
history, their state of advancement in religion and the arts of
civilized life, or of their future prospects. Whatever may be the
judgment pronounced upon this unpretending volume, the writer has the
consolation of knowing that his purpose has been to write the truth,
and to record such facts as, with God’s blessing, might edify and
instruct the reader. A complete book on line for you
to read, Free!!
Choctaw
of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammay Parrish, Louisianaby David Bushnell If you long to know of "The Old Ways", this book is for you.
It could be called a "How-To" book for Choctaws of the 1700-1800
period. The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb takes you from the history
of the Tribe deep in the Long Leaf Pines of St. Tammany Parish,
Louisiana to their every day life. A Complete book on line for you to read Free!!
Digger Indiansby O. P. Fitzgerald
Ethnologically he has given rise to much conflicting speculation, with
which I will not trouble the gentle reader. He has been in California a
long time, and he does not know that he was ever anywhere else.
Wokas, A
Primitive Food of the Klamath Indians The Klamath Indians now live upon a reservation in the State
of Oregon, which lies within a somewhat larger area occupied by them
long before their discovery by the white race. The reservation is in
the southwestern corner of the plateau of eastern Oregon, at the
eastern foot of the Cascade Mountains and near the southern border of
the State. A
complete book on line for you to read, Free!!
Story of
Oshkosh Interesting Historical Sketch of the Menomonee Chieftain,
After Whom the City of Oshkosh Was Named--Incidents of the Times in
Which He Lived and Something of the Indians Who Have Played important
Parts in the Early History of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Was a Noble Badman and
Never Raised His Hand Against the Whites-Appointed Chief By Governor
Lewis Cass-His Taking Off and What Caused it. A
complete book on line for you to read, Free!!
Northwestern
Fights and Fighters
Part 1, The Epic of the Nez Percé In 1855, Governor Isaac I. Stevens of
Washington Territory negotiated an equitable, even a liberal treaty by
which the Nez Pierces were confirmed in their undoubted title by
immemorial occupancy to the vast region in Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington, including the valleys of the Snake, the Salmon, the
Clearwater, and the Grande Ronde Rivers.
Part 2, Modoc War The most costly war in which the United States ever
engaged, considering the number of opponents, occurred in the winter
of 1872-73 in the lava-beds of Oregon. Fifty Modoc Indians, under the
leadership of one Kientpoos - commonly known as Captain Jack, held
that pedregal against overwhelming numbers of regular soldiers upon
whom they inflicted defeat after defeat with little loss to
themselves. They were not captured until treachery had played its
maleficent part. To understand this tremendous drama a knowledge of
the first act is essential.
History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
by
Andrew J. Blackbird I deem it not improper to present the history of the last
race of Indians now existing in the State of Michigan, called
the Ottawa and Chippewa Nations of Indians.
There were many other tribes of Indians in this region
prior to the occupancy of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of
this State, who have long ago gone out of existence. Not a page
of their history is on record; but only an allusion to them in
our traditions. Complete book, FREE to read
Pocahontas,
Alias Matoaka and her descendants Through her marriage at Jamestown, Virginia, in April, 1614
With John Rolfe, Gentleman: Including the names of: Alfriend, Archer,
Bentley, Bernard, Bland, Ballard, Branch, Cabell, Catlett, Cary,
Dandridge, Dixon, Douglas, Duval, Eldridge, Ellett, Ferguson, Field,
Fleming, Gay, Gordon, Griffin, Grayson, Harrison, Hubard, Lewis,
Logan, Markham, Meade, McRae, Murphy, Page, Paythress, Randolph,
Robertson, Skipwith, Standard, Tazewell, Walke, West, Wattle, and
others .
This book is images
Dahcotah; Or Life and Legends of the Sioux Around Fort Snelling,
by Mrs. Mary Eastman The materials for the following pages were
gathered during a residence of seven years in the immediate
neighborhood nay in the very midst of the once powerful but now
nearly extinct tribe of
Sioux or
Dahcotah Indians.
Fort Snelling is situated seven miles below the Falls of
St. Anthony, at the confluence of the Mississippi and St.
Peter's rivers built in 1819, and named after the gallant
Colonel Snelling, of the army, by whom the work was erected. It
is constructed of stone; is one of the strongest Indian forts in
the United States; and being placed on a commanding bluff, has
somewhat the appearance of an old German castle, or one of the
strongholds on the Rhine.
A Treatise of the Six Nation IndiansbyJ. B. Mackenzie As knowledge of the traditions, manners, and national
traits of the Indians, composing, originally, the six distinct
and independent tribes of the Mohawks, Tuscarora, Onondagas,
Seneca, Oneidas, and Cayuga; tribes now merged in, and known as,
the Six Nations, possibly, does not extend beyond the immediate
district in which they have effected a lodgment, I have laid
upon myself the task of tracing their history from the date of
their settlement in the County of Brant, entering, at the same
time, upon such accessory treatment as would seem to be
naturally suggested or embraced by the plan I have set before
me. Read more...
Indian
Stories and Legends of the
Stillaguamish and Allied Tribes
byNels Bruseth These little stories about animals,
people and places have been told to me by
people whose friendship I value highly.
Several of them are now gone to the happy
hunting grounds. It is about twenty years
ago since the first ones were written down
as notes in a scrapbook. Since then. the
collection has been increasing steadily.
Have told some of them to friends; they have
encouraged me to publish, if possible, a few
of the more interesting ones. Read
more...
Abeel and
Allied Families
The Genealogy of the Williamson and Abeel families, compiled by
James A. Williamson, proves conclusively that the famous "Cornplanter"
of the Seneca Tribe of the Six Nations was a direct descendant of
Christopher Janse Abeel, the founder of this old Holland family in
America.
The Indian Tribes of North America (1953) ~ by
John R. Swanton During the early exploration and settlement of North
America a multitude of Indian tribes were encountered, having
diverse customs and languages. Lack of knowledge of the aborigines
and of their languages led to many curious errors on the part of the
early explorers and settlers: names were applied to the Indians that
had no relation what-ever to their aboriginal names...Read
more
Southern Contacts of the Indians North of the Gulf of Mexico
by
J.
R. Swanton The relations existing in prehistoric times between the
Indians formerly inhabiting the territory of the present United Sates
and those south of them have been a subject of discussion from the
earliest period of .ethnologic speculation in America. Dissemination
of culture and of blood takes place, of course, where any tribe is in
contact with any other tribe, but something more than this has
frequently been alleged of the relations between the two areas under
consideration.
A
complete book on line for you to read, Free!!
Native Cemeteries and Forms of Burial East of the Mississippiby
David I. Bushnell When that part of America
which extends westward from the Atlantic to the Mississippi was
discovered by Europeans it was occupied by numerous tribes,
speaking distinct languages, with many dialects. And as the
habitations and other structures erected by the widely scattered
tribes differed in form, size, and the material of which they
were constructed, and presented many interesting
characteristics, so did the cemeteries and forms of burial vary
in distant parts of the country. Complete book online
Tribal Migrations East of the Mississippiby David I.
Bushnell
The map entitled "Linguistic Families of American
Indians North of Mexico", by J. W. Powell, issued by the Bureau
of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution, some years ago
and several times revised and reprinted, indicates the position
of the various groups of tribes when they first became known to
Europeans. The map, as its title implies, includes the entire
North American continent north of Mexico, but in the present
paper, only that portion bordering on the lower Mississippi, and
eastward to the Atlantic coast, will be considered.
Introduction to the Study of Mortuary Customs Among the North
American Indians, byDr. H. C. Yarrow The
mortuary customs of savage or barbaric people have a deep significance
from the fact that in them are revealed much of the philosophy of the
people by whom they are practiced. Early beliefs concerning the nature
of human existence in life and after death and the relations of the
living to the dead are recorded in these customs. The mystery
concerning the future love for the departed who were loved while here,
reverence for the wise and good who may after death be wiser and
better, hatred and fear of those who were enemies here and may have
added powers of enmity in the hereafter, all these and like
considerations have led in every tribe to a body of customs of
exceeding interest as revealing the opinions, the philosophy of the
people themselves. Complete book
on line, FREE!
Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains,
By Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa)
Every age, every race, has its leaders and heroes. There were
over sixty distinct tribes of Indians on this continent, each of
which boasted its notable men. The names and deeds of some of
these men will live in American history, yet in the true sense
they are unknown, because misunderstood.
Indians of the Chicago Region, ByWilliam Duncan Strong
In August 1926 a new exhibit illustrating
the life and culture of the Potawatomi
Indians was placed in James Nelson and Anna
Louise Raymond Hall ( Cases 37-39) . At the
time of the first white settlement this
Indian tribe inhabited the Chicago region.
It therefore seemed desirable to gather and
preserve in the Museum as many relics as
possible of the former aborigines of our
territory and to have a worthy
representation of them in the exhibits as an
illustration of an interesting chapter in
our local history.
Indians and their Stories, Blackfeet The most
shameful chapter of American history is that
in which is recorded the account of our
dealings with the Indians. The story of our
government's intercourse with this race is
an unbroken narrative of injustice, fraud,
and robbery. Our people have disregarded
honesty and truth whenever they have come in
contact with the Indian, and he has had no
rights because he has never had the power to
enforce any.
