Tag: genealogy

Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Introducing My Brick Wall – Molly Pegan

I am an enrolled member of a state-recognized tribe, the Nipmuc Nation, also known as the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc Indians. We have a reservation in Grafton, MA that has been occupied by our people since long before recorded time. (See http://nipmucmuseum.org/blog/2011/11/10/hassanamisco-reservation-on-the-national-register-of-historic-places/). Many members of my community have tried to unravel the mystery of Molly Pegan/Piggen Pollock Woodland (abt. 1753 to after 1841) but none have succeeded, … Continue reading Introducing My Brick Wall – Molly Pegan

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney Holley4 Comments
Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Looking for Your Native American Ancestry in Massachusetts? Aquinnah (Gayhead) Wampanoag

Until 1869, Massachusetts Indians were wards of the state, not subject to taxation and disenfranchised. The Enfranchisement Act of 1869 changed that – not only did the law make citizens of the Commonwealth’s Native population, it also opened up communal lands held by Natives for sale to non-Indians. Committees were formed to investigate Indian lands that might be subject to sale. One such investigation on … Continue reading Looking for Your Native American Ancestry in Massachusetts? Aquinnah (Gayhead) Wampanoag

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Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

The Storms of Vermont, part 1

My favorite ancestors these days seem to be the Storms. Originally from Panton and Vergennes, Vermont, several members of the family moved to Worcester and Boston, Massachusetts in the 1870s. Once in Worcester, the Storms and other transplanted Vermonters of color formed the Vermont Club at John St Baptist Church, one of the few Black churches in Worcester. Hattie Storms, my great-great grandmother, was born … Continue reading The Storms of Vermont, part 1

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney Holley1 Comment
Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Guess I Need an Intro

This is a new blog so that I can document my own ancestries (Native American and African-American sprinkled with a bit of European) and other African and Native American families from here in New England. Family names I hope to document here include: Toney, Scott, Hazzard, Hazard, Pegan, Quow, Harry, Storms, and Bostic. Hopefully I will update on a regular basis with new and exciting … Continue reading Guess I Need an Intro

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