I have always heard that we have a Cherokee woman in our family tree, but I cannot find anyone who seems to be Cherokee in our line:

Me>
Sadie Lee Sparkman>
Bert Houston Sparkman/Cora Pauline Scanlin>
Mack Clarence [Francis A] Sparkman/Emaline Ruth Ervin>
Truston Sparkman/Nancy A Brown>
John "Jackie" Sparkman/Regina [Raygenah] Nicely>
etc.

The current info online regarding the Ervin/Erwin/Irwin tree ends with Emaline's mother and father: Martin and Nancy Ervin (appears that she had a brother William Ervin and sister Delitha Ervin who lived nearby in Sugar Creek, MO in 1880s).

The connection seems to be in the 1800s, since it was early enough that my grandfather could talk about his grandmother who smoked a pipe.

My mother and her brother cannot remember the story or who it is about.

Thanks,

Kathy