August 13, 2007

Native genealogy online

Native American searches made easier with NativeWebTracing Native American ancestry can present special challenges for family historians seeking their elusive tribal ancestors. One of the most useful online resources for those researching family ties to North America's indigenous peoples is NativeWeb (www.nativeweb.org).

Launched in 1994, this unique site was originally conceived as a global listserv known as NativeNet. Eventually, a small group of native and non-native academics and technology professionals established NativeWeb as a separate online entity, with the goal of providing a "cyber-place for Earth's indigenous peoples."

The site's international scope and content have gradually grown along with its group of collective webmasters. NativeWeb currently features more than 2,000 links to resources for indigenous cultures throughout the world.

2 comments:

Peter N. Jones said...

The Native Web website is a great place with tons of information, however, there are still numerous problems with tracing geneaology, especially if using DNA. For some information, I suggest checking out my book American Indian mtDNA, Y Chromosome Genetic Data, and the Peopling of North America. Although it focuses on the peopling of North America, there is a good explanation of the inherent limitations of DNA in tracing ancestry in it. Also, if one is interested, Respect for the Ancestors has a longer discussion of DNA uses for determining both biological and cultural affiliation.

writerfella said...

Writerfella here --
Say, why aren't we who are interested getting this dude to verify or otherwise determine the origins of Kennewick Man? writerfella himself has seen that the TV special on a skeleton found buried near StoneHenge and the skull found near Kennewick, OR, look practically identical. There must be a reason for this, and it is NOT the reason that anthropologists are trying to establish. First, both reconstructions of facial features resemble the STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION actor, Patrick Stewart. Second of all, WHO handles fossilized skeletons of humans more than 13,000 years old EVERY DAY? Anthropologists, of course. Either DNA or rare earths found embedded in either or both skulls may indicate that both came from the same source -- prehistoric England, and NOT North America. What's his phone number?
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'