Sacajawea is supposedly part of my bloodline. My great-great grandmother, whom I have photos and a portrait of, was Mary Brown, 1/4 Native American. Tribe? I've heard conflicting info about Sacajawea's tribe. I have no info on Mary Brown or her ancestry other than what was handed down by legend. I'd so much appreciate any info. Sonja at terno@gateway.net

She is supposed to lived to be nearly 100 years old and died in the state of Wyoming in 1884. She also had a half breed son who was a leader of a fur trapping party in 1841 or 1842. Need more info e-mail me.

What do you know of Jean Baptiste? It had been passed down in our family that Mary Ann Brown, b. ca 1840's? in MO was 1/4 Indian, related to Sacajawea. It must be through her (Sacajawea's) son or brother.Waiting for info on the Brown family. We have photos and a portrait that show her Native American features. Please reply.

Jean Baptise Charbonneau (nickname Pompy which was given to him by William Clark) was the first child of Sacagawea, a 16 year old Shoshoni girl who had been captured from her people years earlier by a tribe of natives called the Minnetarees.

To obtain her services Lewis and Clark hired her husband Toussaint Charbonneau as interpreter. Lewis and Clark also allowed Sacajawea to bring her child Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.

William Clark made a promise to Toussaint and Sacajawea to send young Jean to school. In 1810 Charbonneau and Sacajawea brought Jean Baptiste to William Clark who took charge of the youngster and put him in school.

In 1824 Jean Baptiste met visiting German Prince Paul of Wurttenberg and traveled with him in Europe. Eventually he became an interpreter and guide among the Indians; one of the white men he later guided was Clark's own son Jefferson.

He died in Oregon in 1885 at the age of 80. There is a popular belief Sacajawea lived to the age of 100 and died in Wind River country of central Wyoming, more substantial evidence points to a much earlier death.

Toussaint lived to old age, eventually vanishing from the prairies of Upper Missouri, where he served as Government interpreter among the Mandans.

(a lot of this information came from the National Geographic Book "In the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark" by Gerald Snyder.)

As for Mary Brown who was 1/4 Indian if I was to take a guess I believe that it is very likely that she was the daughter of Jean Baptiste. Also trying checking with the Western Shoshoni Indians of Wyoming.

If I can find more information I will post it.

You may also have native ties through Toussaint Charbonneau's line. Toussaint's mother, Marguerite Deneau, was at least half Sioux (via her mother Angelique Requindeau).

Also, depending on the Dumont connection (Pomp married Charlotte Dumont Guery), there could be Sarcee, Assiniboine, or Sauteux. Any Lafromboise in your family tree?

Gladly share what (little) I know. Toussaint is not a relative of mine, but his brother Jean-Baptiste married one of my aunts and his sister Marguerite married a cousin.

Madeleine

Ooh, and if you want to trade information, please email me directly. I don't always see the posts but I answer my mail.

My grandmother, Emily Saeland (maiden name: Lafreniere, unsure of spelling), who lived and died in northern Minnesota, claimed I'm a descendent of Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I have seen documentation linking Lafreniere to Charbonneau. Can you verify any of this information and tell me more? I appreciate any help you are able to give.

Could you tell me the ancestral lines of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau? I believe that my grandmother, maiden name Lafriniere, is a direct descendant of Toussaint and Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. My grandmother was native american and grew up in the northern Minnesota region of the Chippewa Indians on the White Earth Reservation. Her family was originally from North Dakota, I think the Pembina area. She died 3 years ago at the age of 98. I believe her mother's maiden name was Charbonneau

Sacagawea (AKA Sakakawea in North Dakota)was Shoshone, kidnaped in Idaho by the Hidatsa Indians and brought to live in North Dakota. I was told as a child that we were related to her. My research shows a fur trader ancestor, James Aird spent time with Lewis and Clark. He was married to Mahpihotawin, or Grey Cloud Woman, duaghter of the renowned Mdewakanton Dakota chief, Wabasha (III?). Her mother was supposedly Chippewa, as was her great-grandmother. There is no record of any natural born children of Sacagawea other than Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau. I don't believe he married and I'm not aware of any children. However, there are many Charbonneau message boards. Use a megasearch engine to look for info on both sides. Monstercrawler is my favorite. Keep in touch,as we may have a family connection. There's a grain of truth to many rumors. sonjalende@aol.com

One more thing- The granddaughter of Grey Cloud and James Aird was Mary Mooers. (daughter of Margaret Aird, AKA Grey Cloud II and fur trader Hazen Mooers) Mary wed John Wesley Brown, Sioux Indian agent and 1/2 brother to the prominent Joseph Renshaw Brown. Joe's third? wife was Susan Freniere, which I've also seen as LaFreniere. I believe she was Yankton or Wahpeton Sioux and the daughter or granddaughter of a French fur trader.Visit the Joseph R. Brown Heritage Society webpage for more complete and accurated information. Just thought it was a similiarity that I should mention. I hope to hear from you... Sonja

Amy,

My mother is a double first cousin to you grandmother, Emily "Toots" Saeland. Your grandmother's parents were Josephine Sharbono and Joseph Lafrinier; my mother's parents were Agnes Sharbono and Antoine LaFreniere (in spite of the difference in spelling, they were full brothers). I am skeptical as to any relationship to Sacajawea because any relationship would have been through her husband, Toussaint. Albert Sharbono, Josephine's father, came to Minnesota in the 1860's and he was born in St. Lawrence County, New York. Toussaint, as I understand it, was in the fur trade in the early part of the century and had been in the western area for sometime. I grew up believing that there was a relationship but as I get more and more into geneology, my skepticism grows. My grandmother also told me the family was related to Queen Victoria; I can find no basis for this claim. I have much information on your family from about 1870 on. Let me know what you're interested in and I'll try and get it for you.

Kathe Powers

please email me at amy@lutsen.com

I would love to share my information with you, in addition I would like to find out whatever information you can give me about my family.

My heritage traces to Narcisse Frenier, a Bois-brule fur trader from Canada. I've heard he was one of several brothers. He Married Susan Crawford, the granddaughter of Tatanka-mani(Sisseton chief)in 1818 in Minnesota. He was born in 1790 and disappeared during a fur trading expedition. I think it is possible that he may be related to(brother of)the Lafrenieres that you talk about. Their daughter, Susan Frenier, born 1819, married Joseph Renshaw Brown.

What is your connection to Sacajawea. I have traced my ancestry back to Sacajawea. Supposely Sacajawea adopted my great grandmother and raised her. Let me know what info you have. Ellen

Ellen, I'm not sure if there is an actual relationship. I was told she was a relative as a child, but I have only found other prominent Native American relatives that are proven to be part of my heritage. As I mentioned earlier, an Ancestor, James Aird, married Grey Cloud Woman, who was the daughter of Chief Wabasha. James aird spent time with Lewis and Clark. This is documented. This means he also spent time with Sacagawea. Whether his wife was known to or related to Sacajawea is unclear.If you can give me all the specific genealogy that you know, I'll see if I can find any links. At the least, my people knew your people. Looking forward to hearing from you. My e-mail is sonjalende@aol.com

Amy it is spelled Lafriniere

Reply to Amy Saeland
Emily Saeland was born to Joseph Beno LaFriniere and Josephine Charbonneau, my belated grandparents.

looking for help with any information you have for Sacajawea's kids that she gave to Lewis Clarke, his daughter married my great grandfather have marriage cert.Please contact me at delhotal@aol.com