In regard to tracing family genealogy through DNA:
The Scott researchers have done this for my husband Walter's family, and 3 lines
without any links in this country, have found through DNA testing that they have a
common
ancestor, who would have been the generation before Walter's immigrant
ancestor. I think that something could be done to show Cherokee DNA
in one's ancestry, regardless of whether it was through female mitochondrial DNA or
through the male DNA, which is usually used because it shows mutations more frequently.
The University of Illinois history professor, Frederick E. Hoxie, who has researched
American Indians over a long career, said that, from what he knows about the
movements of Indian population as well as European-Americans,
intermarriage and the accompanying tendency to hide this fact, plus
his knowledge of the numbers of Indians in this country, one should
take seriously the family stories of having an Indian ancestor. It is
more than likely true. Professor Hoxie's books are available through Interlibrary
loan and will prove quite valuable for those interested in Indians.
Good luck. nancy