People of One Fire is an alliance of Creek, Choctaw and Seminole scholars, who previously had been intensely studying the heritage and languages of the Muskogean peoples. Much of their activities have involved re-examination of the archives of the early Spanish, English and French exploration of the Southeastern United States. They also have been comparing Muskogean words with those of several indigenous languages of Mexico and Central America. They have found many examples of words that are identical or almost identical in sound, that mean the same in the two languages. In particular, the Hitchiti-Creek language contains many links to the Itza Maya language. You can also view Richards published books
The following articles written by Richard, most of them exclusively for AccessGenealogy, advance the findings of People of One Fire and Richard’s personal studies. These articles take a look at the Muskogean peoples like none other that can be found online. To study their heritage, and not to have at least read his writings, is to assume that we already know everything about this people.
County Histories
Native American History of Alabama
- Native American History of Autauga County, Alabama
- Native American History of Barbour County, Alabama
- Native American History of Dale County, Alabama
- Native American History of Geneva County, Alabama
- Native American History of Henry County, Alabama
- Native American History of Houston County, Alabama
- Native American History of Lee County, Alabama
- Native American History of Russell County, Alabama
Native American History of Florida
- Native American History of Bay County, Florida
- Native American History of Holmes County, Florida
- Native American History of Jackson County, Florida
- Native American History of Liberty County, Florida
- Native American History of Wakulla County, Florida
- Native American History of Walton County, Florida
- Native American History of Washington County, Florida
Native American History of Georgia
- Native American History of Barrow County, Georgia
- Native American History of Bartow County, Georgia
- Native American History of Bibb County, Georgia
- Native American History of Bleckley County, Georgia
- Native American History of Butts County, Georgia
- Native American History of (old) Campbell County, Georgia
- Native American History of Carroll County, Georgia
- Native American History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia
- Native American History of Cherokee County, Georgia
- Native American History of Clay County, Georgia
- Native American History of Clayton County, Georgia
- Native American History of Cobb County, Georgia
- Native American History of Coweta County, Georgia
- Native American History of Dawson County, Georgia
- Native American History of Decatur County, Georgia
- Native American History of DeKalb County, Georgia
- Native American History of Dodge County, Georgia
- Native American History of Douglas County, Georgia
- Native American History of Early County, Georgia
- Native American History of Fayette County, Georgia
- Native American History of Floyd County, Georgia
- Native American History of Forsyth County, Georgia
- Native American History of Fulton County, Georgia
- Native American History of Gwinnett County, Georgia
- Native American History of Habersham County, Georgia
- Native American History of Hall County, Georgia
- Native American History of Haralson County, Georgia
- Native American History of Henry County, Georgia
- Native American History of Houston County, Georgia
- Native American History of Jasper County, Georgia
- Native American History of Jones County, Georgia
- Native American History of Laurens County, Georgia
- Native American History of Lumpkin County, Georgia
- Native American History of (old) Milton County, Georgia
- Native American History of Monroe County, Georgia
- Native American History of Muscogee County, Georgia
- Native American History of Newton County, Georgia
- Native American History of Oconee County, Georgia
- Native American History of Paulding County, Georgia
- Native American History of Pickens County, Georgia
- Native American History of Polk County, Georgia
- Native American History of Pulaski County, Georgia
- Native American History of Quitman County, Georgia
- Native American History of Randolph County, Georgia
- Native American History of Rockdale County, Georgia
- Native American History of Seminole County, Georgia
- Native American History of Stewart County, Georgia
- Native American History of Telfair County, Georgia
- Native American History of Towns County, Georgia
- Native American History of Troup County, Georgia
- Native American History of Twiggs County, Georgia
- Native American History of Union County, Georgia
- Native American History of White County, Georgia
- Native American History of Wilcox County, Georgia
Special Series Exclusive to Access Genealogy
- 16th Century French Exploration of North America
Between 1562 and 1763, France established the region known as Florida Françoise, encompassing parts of South Carolina and Georgia, although it notably excluded the St. Johns River Basin. Led by figures like Captain René Goulaine de Laudonniére and Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, French expeditions aimed to claim lands for King Charles IX and provide refuge for Huguenots amidst religious persecution in France. Their efforts included the construction of Charlesfort and Fort Caroline, but conflicts with indigenous tribes and the Spanish ultimately hindered their colonial ambitions. - Native Americans of the Shenandoah Valley
Richard Thornton’s articles explore the history of early Native Americans in the Shenandoah Valley, emphasizing their cultural and historical significance before European contact. The region, a center for trade and conflict, reveals archaeological evidence linking its inhabitants to distant areas. Despite a rich Indigenous heritage, much of this history remains overlooked, overshadowed by the European narrative. As the articles delve into the area's early residents, they highlight the challenges historians face in uncovering the past and the persistent myths surrounding Native American life in the Valley. - The Trail to Yupaha
On June 21, 2011, the author celebrated the Summer Solstice with a hike in the Georgia Mountains, near the Nantahala River, alongside three dogs. He revisited the Track Rock petroglyphs, noticing their deterioration since his last visit. His exploration revealed ancient fieldstone walls and historical alterations to the landscape, prompting inquiries into the area’s archaeological significance. This led to a deeper investigation into the cultural history of Georgia’s Indigenous Peoples, particularly regarding the enigmatic Track Rock Terrace Complex and its connection to Cherokee and Creek legends.
The Muskogean Peoples of French Louisiana
- The Muskogean Peoples of French Louisiana
- Early European Explorers
- Early Colonization of La Louisiane
- Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713)
- Native Uprisings Against the Carolinas (1711-1717)
- Fort Toulouse, the Chitimachas and the Natchez Wars (1717-1733)
- Incessant Warfare (1714-1755)
- French and Indian War (1754-1755)
Early Creek History
- Achese: Birthplace of the Creek Confederacy
- Achese becomes the first capital of the Creek Confederacy
- Achese Moves to Florida
- Where was Hernando de Soto’s Guaxale?
- Creek Ancestors from the Carolinas
- The Cultural Periods of the Creek Indians
- The Tamatli
- Origins of the Muskogee Branch of the Creek Indians
Early Native American Towns and Villages
Miscellaneous Native American History
Forts across North America
Native American Mounds
- Why and How did Native Americans Build Mounds
- Nacoochee Mound
- Mysterious Kenimer Mound, Nacoochee Valley, Georgia
- Shell and Sand Mounds of Tick Island Florida
- Adena Mounds of the Ohio Valley
- Biltmore Mound, Asheville, North Carolina
- Peachtree Mound near Murphy, North Carolina
Encounters with the Potawatomi Tribe
Architecture of Native Americans
- The Teepee
- Sioux Pit House
- Earth Lodge of the Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa
- Navajo Hogan
- Basket House of the South Atlantic Coast
- Apache Wickiup
- Eastern Woodland Wigwam
- Creek Kitchens
- Creek Warehouses
The Wars on the Carolina and Georgia Frontier 1660-1763
- Why the History of the Era is Confusing
- Early Slave Raid Period 1657-1684
- Middle Slave Raid Period 1684-1706
- Late Slave Raid Period, 1705-1721
- Creeks became Creeks, 1717-1755
A few misspellings to correct in your Forsyth County, Ga work.
Sawnee Mountain, not “Saunee”
Chestatee River not “Chesnatee” River
Otherwise, very insightful!
Spellings checked and corrected. Thanks Joe!
Searching for the connection of the early early Georgia Helton family to the Monroe County, AL Helton family.
Richard Thornton is a well known kook. You really shouldn’t be spreading his misinformation.
Richard Thornton telling it like it is!!!
Jimmy
I too have trouble finding my heritage. I was always told I was 9/16 Potowatomie and my greatgrandmother was an Indian medicine woman. Her last name was Bush, her maiden name was Frye. Names in Chicago were Frye and Tree. My mother was raised on the Bush melon farm which was county allotted to the Indian family who found a dime in a biscuit which were my great grand parents and they had to make use of the ground or it would be taken back. My dad was part Kickapoo and he was from Mississippi. His last name was Gideon. I know nothing of his family except I met a sister once who married a man named Guy Post. I was told by my grandfather Bertram Vandecar that we were “Keepers of the flame or fire”. Help me find where I belong. Right now I am living on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. I am not included in the Indian affairs here. Thank you, Esther
Hello & help.. Trying to find connection to Cherokee Nation. My paternal Grandmother’s , Mother , was full blood Cherokee. Problem, I don’t find her name, anywhere! Nothing but marriage registration in Kentucky, no dates either…thank you in advance.