My family is from North Alabama, and I am told that my great-grandmother on my mother's side has some Native American heritage, at least a quarter. Is there any way of going about finding out what tribe she might be linked to? Can you go by maiden names to track this?

Depending on the time period, many different tribes were represented in northern Alabama, including the Cherokee and the Creeks.

You will need to trace your family to, through and beyond your great-grandmother using the normal genelaogical methods (census, birth, death, marriage certificates, bible records, etc), and then try to tie those people through their names, both married and maiden names and family groups, to known tribal rolls. It is a slow process, but can be very rewarding.

I recommend you start with census records.

Carolyne

Both the Alabama (Alibamu) and Coushatta (Koasti) Tribes resided in Northern Alabama near the Tombigbee River in the 1700's. They got on well with the French, but drifted away from the area when the British moved in. Today the Coushatta have a Reservation in Elton, LA and the Alabama-Coushatta are near Livingston, TX (East Texas). Since the number of surnames prevalent in each Tribe are limited, you might be able to link your GGrandmother's maiden name to a modern day family. Would be happy to assist if possible.

Good luck.

Her maiden name was Parson[s]... This doesn't sound much like a name that could be linked to any tribe but I could be wrong... I will have to get more information! In the mean time, Thanks for replying!

Many Tribes adopted anglicized names over the years or acquired them through intermarriage with non-Indians. Within the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe there are such surnames as Johnson, Williams and Robinson. Also Battise, Poncho, Sylestine and Celestine which probably came from the French in Alabama or Louisiana. Granted, many Tribes retained names in their dialect or English translations thereof.
After all, what's in a name?

Thanks so much ! I will continue to research!
Brooke