I am searching for information about the significance of this name. Supposedly it has something to do with a Seneca abduction story.

The signifigance of what name? Please note which name/word you are asking about. From the subject line, we cannot tell if one of the names might be a surname, or which one, or neither.

Carolyne
Board Administrator

Neoska Letta is the only name, first and middle apparently. I am not looking for a surname as such, but info about a Seneca abduction story that seems to tie in with this name.This is all I have. I have only seen it used as a given name twice, although I have seen the first name Neoska alone given to at least one woman, and it seems be in use only in Ny & PA. I am hoping that someone with old Seneca history etc. might shed some light on this. My great-grandfather named his daughter Minnie Neoska Letta Neoska Lou supposedly after twin "Indians", but he said we had Cherokee lineage. He lived in PA and his parents were both from NY.The other Neoska Letta woman I learned of was also from NY state, unrelated as far as I can determine. My contact with the source of this info had no details. I am trying to determine the link to our proper Native American nation, and believe it is Seneca. This is just a piece of the puzzle and as you know, it is so difficult to trace Native American lineage so I am trying to work with what little I have. If someone can confirm that yes, Neoska was an old Seneca name, that supports my belief that we have Seneca lineage, coupled with a distant cousin who believes that to be the case on my gr-grandfather's maternal side.

Unfortunately, the name Neoska is not ringing any bells at our household. I suggest you contact the Seneca Nation directly and ask them if the name is a Seneca word, or if they recognize it to be related to any of the Haudenosaunee. That at least will get you an answer from someone knowledgeable.

I did a quickie check for the first name "Neoska" on Ancestry.com. Here is what I found:

1870
Neoska Garrison
Reynolds, Lee, IL abt 1866 Pennsylvania White Male

1880
Neoska Garrison
Franklin, Fillmore, NE abt 1866 Pennsylvania

1900 United States Federal Census
Neoska M Spencer
Rowland, Los Angeles, California abt 1867 Pennsylvania

Neoska Etta Conor Stuyvesant, Columbia, New York abt 1886 New York

Neoska Kelley
Lamar, Texas abt 1876 Kentucky White Wife

1910 United States Federal Census
Neoska M Spencer Summer L Rowland, Los Angeles, CA abt 1867 Pennsylvania

1920 United States Federal Census
Neoska M Spenser
Covina, Los Angeles, California abt 1867 Pennsylvania

Neoska E Fry
Montour, Pennsylvania abt 1911 Pennsylvania

Neoska E Fuller
Turbotville, Northumberland, Pennsylvania abt 1915 Pennsylvania White

1930 United States Federal Census
Neoska E
Williamsport, Lycoming, PA abt 1911

C Neoska Fuller
Turbotville, Northumberland, PA abt 1914

Social Secuirty Death Index
Neoska E. Beach 27 Nov 1910 Feb 1993 Roaring Branch, Tioga, Pennsylvania View Record
C. Neoska Campbell 27 Mar 1914 13 Jun 2002 Turbotville, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

The data confirms the name is usually associated with Pennsylania or New York, but there is one who was born in Kentucky. Of course none confirm an Indian connection.

There is a mailing list at Rootsweb called "Indian Captives." You might want to join that list to see if any stories there will help.

You haven't listed any surnames and that is always important in Indian research. There could be someone else out there searching the same family lines who has the answer to your question. You should post on all surname boards that are associated with this woman; also all locality boards.

Time frames are also important. American Indian research requires all the normal genealogical standards PLUS throwing in Indian history. The more details the better, always.

Good luck,
Carolyne

Hi Carolyne.

Thanks very much for all your time and information. I hope someone will see this posting on this Seneca Board who has some info as I have not been able to access any through other links to the Seneca Nation. They will do some genealogy research but at a cost of $50. I am on a tight budget and such an expense would be a very speculative one with what might be no info found. Thanks again.

I understand about the cost. Most of us can not afford to pay the rates of the Seneca Nation. However, I wasn't talking about asking them to do research. I mean only for you to ask them if the word Neoska is a Seneca word, and if it is, what does it mean? I wouldn't even mention the words genealogy, family tree, etc.

Carolyne

Hello.
My name is Neoska Jewel. My mother told me it is an Indian name, but am not sure which tribe. However, she did tell me Neoska means "Stardust". Hope that helps.