Alabama / Coushatta - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

bamandn — 2009-07-30 18:26:55Z

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

tottka33 — 2009-07-30 04:42:05Z

Hey Cuz,

Send us your email address. This forum is viewed by to many eyes. Everybody fine at this end. Glad to hear from you.

Ah-no-pah-mah

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

bamandn — 2009-07-30 03:41:25Z

Is it possible that you could post a picture and any more information. I am interested that there are possibly other Coushattas here in Alabama. It is hard to find info before 1830 because they did not keep detailed records then.

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

bamandn — 2009-07-30 03:38:56Z

Hey Chuck...this is your Alabama Cuz....what does Moosi mean? All of our family is still doing well here. Please come visit sometime. We have a festival in September located in Tuscumbia, Alabama, that was started by your moosi, Jimmy. Apo, Wanda, always attends.

How is Jenevie and children?

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

carolynegould — 2009-07-29 19:11:51Z

Any Johnsons or Jones?

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

tottka33 — 2009-07-28 14:45:44Z

My moosi (by marriage) lived in and raised a family in Alabama. He was an enrolled member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, ethnically an Alabama by birth and is now deceased. We still keep in touch with the family. There are no Smiths on the Tribal Rolls of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

bamandn — 2009-07-28 04:18:39Z

My family is Alabama Coushatta and in the state of Alabama

Dennis Richard Williams b. 1872 - d. 1951

debos3 — 2009-04-28 06:06:40Z

I'm the gr-granddaughter of Dennis R Williams who married a Scotch/Irish woman (Ida Atkinson)in 1891. I have heard that Dennis was from the Alabama-Coushatta reservation, and that my grandmother (Bertha) was born on the reservation. Dennis, his wife and 3 children later lived off the reservation. In his later years Dennis lived in a cabin along the banks of the Sabine River where he died in 1951. I would like to find out anything I can about his father/mother, sibling (I have been told he had a brother), or any other relations. I have an old photo, and any help would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me at debos3@yahoo.com.

Many thanks-
Deb Osfeld

Re: Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

tottka33 — 2008-09-02 16:10:40Z

Just for the record, there are no Smiths on the Alabama-Coushatta rolls either. Most common surnames on the Livingston Rez are: Bullock, Battise, Sylestine, Celestine, Polite, Langley, John, Williams, Robinson, Alec.

Alabama-Coushatta grandfather b. Putnam, Marengo, Ala.

sharon723160 — 2008-08-28 04:44:56Z

My grandfather was born about 1878 in Putnam, Marengo Co., Alabama near the Tombigbee River. He used the name Albert Thomas Smith. The Coushatta Tribe in Elton, La. had no Smiths on file. I never checked with the tribe in Livingston, Tx. Several years ago there was a small group of Coushatta's still in Alabama who had a website which I can't find again. I wrote to them and received a brochure about them. There are probably still Coushatta's in Elmore County, Ala. as well as other places. Just wanted to post this for all those searching. Not all of our Coushatta ancestors were registered with the tribe and not all of them left Alabama or even if they did leave, they didn't move with the tribe in Texas or Louisiana. My grandfather married a white woman from Mississippi and they moved to Southeast Texas and lived in a small town where he could find work. Unfortunately, he left his wife and four young daughters, one of whom was my mother (age 12 in 1930), and they never heard from him again. I have a picture of them together and what little my mother told me about him.
Good luck in your search.

Re: Colabe Sylestine

tottka33 — 2008-05-14 21:49:40Z

Since I am closely associated with the Tribe, that was, indeed, my first choice for a source.

Re: Colabe Sylestine

carolynegould — 2008-05-14 14:53:49Z

The Alabama-Coushatta tribe itself would most likely be the best source for that information, if it is known.

Colabe Sylestine

tottka33 — 2008-05-13 20:58:20Z

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is small in number with a few over 1,000 members. Originally, there were two separate and distinct Tribes - the Alabama(Alibamu) and Coushatta (Koasti). Prior to establishing the current Reservation, the Principal Chief, Anton and the second Chief Colabe Sylestine led the Alabama Tribe into southeast Texas in Tyler and Polk Counties. I have informqation that Colabe's wife was Margaret. Would like to know her surname and Colabe's antecedents. My wife is a direct descendant.

Re: info

tottka33 — 2007-10-22 16:19:21Z

Try the Tribal website - "www.Alabama-Coushatta.com" or Sharon Miller, Public Relations - sawa@actribe.org

info

TilwonnaEspinoza — 2007-10-19 09:32:15Z

My sons are both a quarter alabama-coushatta and I would love for them to learn more about their hritage. Is there anything geared toward five year olds that would be helpfull to them?

Re: 3 Matthews/MATHIS sisters, married Native American men

carolynegould — 2007-06-24 15:49:40Z

How do you know they are sisters? Judging by the ages in the 1840 census records, it could just as easily be a woman with two daughters who are living in the same household. She could be related to William Mathews, or his wife, or just a friend.

And, if you don't know the names of the people they married, how do you know they were Native American men?

Carolyne

3 Matthews/MATHIS sisters, married Native American men

widofox — 2007-06-23 18:53:24Z

I have 3 Matthews/MATHIS sisters,born 1825 - 1835,in Ga., that married Native American men. First names of sisters unknown, names of husbands unknown, dates & places of marriages alos unknown. The last place these girls show is 1840 Cass Co. Ga., with father WM.MATTHEWS and siblings. These girls had brothers William H.( born 1818,Ga.,wifes name Susan Russell) and John R.(born 1821,Ga., wifes name Margaret Black) These girls were wrongfully disowned by father for the marriages. Possible names for these girls could be,ANN,MARY,MARTHA,ISABEL,RACHEL,JANE,ALICE or Virginia, as the brothers named daughters these. Any info on the above sisters will be greatly appreciated, as we are having a very hard time finding anything. Help! Thanks

Re: Looking for information about Katy and daugher Jenny

athenian_1 — 2006-04-23 18:47:39Z

Hi Carolyne,

Thank you for responding. The items you list are all federal records from the time after the federal reservation was established. The state of Texas allocated Polk county land in the 1850s though. Are there really no state or Tribal records from the 19th century anywhere?

Re: I would like to learn more about the tribe.

2006-11-13 15:12:00Z

For openers, I would suggest visiting the Tribal website-Alabama-Coushatta.com. To secure reservations and information for the campground, call 936-563-1220. Contact Ms. Sharon Miller, Public Relations, as to info regarding the Tribe. She can be reached at 936-563-1131 or Email sawa@actribe.org. She would be happy to send you literature on the Tribe.

Your interest in the Tribe is appreciated.

I would like to learn more about the tribe.

2006-11-10 05:57:41Z

My name is Aaron. I live in College Station. There have been many times I have driven by the Alabama-Coushatta reservation on my way to Lake Sam Rayborn. I have always wanted to stop by and learn more about the tribe. It looks like I will have a week off of work after Christmas and was thinking about staying at the campgrounds there. If I were to do that, would someone within the tribe be willing to help me learn the history and traditions of the tribe?

Re: Heritage

2006-11-07 21:24:15Z

Thanks so much ! I will continue to research!
Brooke

Re: Heritage

2006-11-07 15:57:31Z

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?

Re: Heritage

2006-11-07 04:47:08Z

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!

Re: Heritage

2006-11-06 15:08:43Z

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.

Heritage

2006-11-04 05:37:24Z

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?

Help me find what tribe I am from.

2006-09-21 19:21:22Z

My great grandmother was, I believe, 1/2 Indian if not more but I can't find out which tribe she belong to. Her name was Maudi Mandy Jane Smith and she was from Jefferson County. She died in 1975 and her husband's name was Edgar Frank Deerman. I do not know much more than that. I would appreciate it if anyone could help me.

Re: I am helping someone try to prove her heritage

2006-08-14 18:20:26Z

A bit more info on Clarene Sylestine(Celestine). The lady to whom I am referring was originally married to J.D. Carson, an Alabama Indian and a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. They lived outside the Reservation. She later divorced and remarried a falanachi(cajun). She was a Coushatta, whether a member of the Tribe or not is conjectural.

I fervently hope this research is not an attempt to participate in the Coushatta casino money. Currently the Coushatta Tribal rolls are closed, anyhow and Tribal membership would be difficult if not impossible to attain.

Re: I am helping someone try to prove her heritage

2006-08-14 16:21:30Z

Are you positive on the spelling of the surname? A source here knows of a Clarene Celestine who married a cajun. If so, tis would be Louisiana Coushatta(Koasati) rather than Texas Alabama-Coushatta. Will research further for you. You may contact me at: tottka@samlink.com

Re: Tribal Heritage

2006-10-26 15:41:09Z

The surnames you have listed are not associated with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas so we can probably eliminate that offhand. The Caddo were present in the Kirbyville area in prehistory and possibly the Comanche. Check "North American Indian Tribes" website (www.accessgenealogy.com/native/indianlocation.htm) for other Tribes common to the area historically. Also, the message board entitled Tribes of East Texas on this site might yield results.

Good Luck.

Re: What tribe

2006-07-06 14:02:35Z

In addition to the forementioned suggestions and criteria, one is not a "Tribal member" until one establishes a lineage and/or blood quantum. To be an enrolled member of a Tribe, an individual must meet the requirements of that Tribe. Until proper documentation is complete, one is only unofficially related to a Tribe. Usually a CDIB card is provided for official member status. Most Tribes today, are very particular about new enrollments due to the fact of per caps and monetary benefits provided for enrolled Tribal members.

Good luck

What tribe

2006-07-06 13:47:30Z

Can AnyBody help me figure out what tibe do i belong to i was raised in Prattville,Al, Autuga County, Central Alabama

Re: What tribe

2006-07-05 23:11:15Z

Greeting chuck i'll follow up in good time kudos

Re: What tribe

2006-07-05 19:46:46Z

There are many factors to take into consideration.
1. Is there any indication of Indian ancestry in your family?
2. Has your family been in that locale for several generations?
3. Check out "North American Indian Tribes", go to Alabama and pull up a list of all the Tribes that existed in your area. some of the larger ones were Creek, Choctaw and Cherokee.
4. Pick the Tribes that seem potential, contact them and see if your surname may be on their rolls. Most smaller Tribes have limited surnames.
5. If you are truly interested from a genealogy standpoint you should find some help. However, if you are only a "wannabe" don't waste your time or the Tribe's.

Re: Robert George

2006-07-02 03:08:28Z

If you are claiming ancestry to the Coushatta(Koasti) Tribe, you would probably need to go further back than GG since the Coushattas and the Alabamas(Alabamu) Nations migrated out of Alabama when the British ousted the French in the 1700's. Insofar as I know, the surname "George" does not appear in the Coushatta rolls either in the past or the present. Contacting the Coushatta Rolls and Records in Elton, Loisiana would probably be futile at the present since they are very tight with such info.
Both Nations did reside in Alabama early on. Currently, the Alabama-Coushatta Nation has a Rez in SE Texas and the Coushattas in Elton, LA.

Re: Robert George

2006-07-01 21:04:26Z

Thanks again for all your help! Hopefully I'll have some progress.

Re: What tribe

carolynegould — 2006-07-06 13:46:56Z

Walter,

If you want help, then In addition to Chuck's suggestions, you need to provide more information in your messages. People need the names of your ancestors, and where ever possible, also their dates of birth, death, marriage info, children, places where they lived.

You need to have all this type of information in order to try to trace a family tribal connection; plus study American Indian history.

Carolyne

Re: Help me find what tribe I am from.

carolynegould — 2006-09-22 15:39:47Z

Carla,

To find the tribe you are going to have to follow basic genealogy research techniques. I recommend you go to RootsWeb (http://www.rootsweb.com).

You'll find links on how to start genealogy research. It is a multi-step process and each step is needed, particularly when tracing American Indian heritage.

One thing you can do is get a copy of your grandmother's social security number application. Rootsweb will give you instructions on how to do that, too. The application will confirm her date and place of birth, plus the names of her parents, including her mother's maiden name.

You need names, dates and places in order to try to pinpoint the tribe.

Good luck,
Carolyne

Re: Robert George

carolynegould — 2006-07-01 18:22:38Z

I'm glad you named the tribe in this message. Now, so other people might be able to help, post a new message that has info on the Alabama people, with names and as much other info you have --- approximate dates of birth or death, or the years they may have lived there, etc.

Carolyne

Re: Tribal Heritage

carolynegould — 2006-10-28 22:39:30Z

Angela,

You are starting out correctly by obtaining a copy of a birth certificate. You need to continue using those basic genealogical methods to trace your family. Birth, death, and marriage certificates often have information that may help with tribal research.

I suggest that as you trace your family genealogy, keep good notes on where people were born and died, and where they lived along the way. Migration pattterns are very helpful. If you have an ancestor born in France, called Indian George, it is possible he was a fur trader or voyaguer. The fur travders often traveled the length of the Mississippi , and could have wound up in Louisiana from as far away as Canada.

Good luck in your search,
Carolyne

Re: Heritage

carolynegould — 2006-11-05 17:17:10Z

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

Re: Please Help

carolynegould — 2007-03-04 17:46:10Z

Tracing native ancestry can be very difficult. The most important thing is that one must trace one's family tree --- in the normal genealogical manner --- while one is looking for the native documentation. This is a concept that some people have trouble grasping.The best explanation is an example. If a person found their great-grandfather, grandmother and all the children on the Dawes Roll --- names and numbers included --- it would do no good unless the person can prove it is THEIR great-grandfather, etc.

RootsWeb has a genealogy course on line, and I have one, too, on Yahoo. Both are free. You can also check my main website which has some how-to articles on American Indian research.

Native American Genealogy: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/carolynegenealogy/
Free Basic Genealogy Course: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yahoo-cls-basicgenealogy/

Carolyne

Re: Looking for information about Katy and daugher Jenny

athenian_1 — 2006-04-24 22:09:31Z

I do understand the history of the tribes (that's part of the family stories too) and there apparently are rolls that date from the 1880s. When I talked to the tribal rep though, she refused to even try to find anyone in the documents from that period without knowing the actual birth surname. She completely ruled out all the names I know based on the fact that aren't current today and made suggestions as though I were looking for someone from 1930 rather than 18880. I have never had such an unproductive discussion with anyone involved in family searching.

I am helping someone try to prove her heritage

RebeccaLeBleu — 2006-08-13 03:05:23Z

There is a dispute as to whether her family is Louisiana or Tx. Coushatta. Her grandmother was Clarene Sylestine Breaux, daughter of Gus Jr. We are not sure of alot of the rest of the family except a Gus Sr. Any help would be most welcome. as we have had a hard time finding census information.

Was there a Coushatta reservation near Tuscaloosa co Al-1860's

RossSmith53 — 2007-01-27 06:18:39Z

Lucinda Ray married Thomas Abel(Ables) in 1862. I read that there was a Coushatta reservation near Tuscaloosa co Al in the 1860's. Would anyone by able to tell me if there was? Thanks

Ardelia Williams

CindyHarris717 — 2006-12-05 14:45:24Z

Looking for info on great grandmother Ardelia Williams born 1863, lived in Phenix City, AL. and was married to John Harris. I believe she was also married first to a Herring.

Re: Tribal Heritage

fixsbarrey — 2006-10-26 17:29:33Z

Thanks so much for your help!

Tribal Heritage

fixsbarrey — 2006-10-25 15:50:02Z

I have just started researching and am not sure where to go or what to do. I know that my grandfather was Indian, his name was Henry Stevenson. He was born in Kirbyville, TX. His mothers name was Munch Barbo and she was from LA.......I'm not sure what part. I am waiting for my grandfathers' birth certificate and I will know more. I know his father was called "Indian George". He was born in France. I was always told we were Cherokee but would like to know for sure and would like to know more about my heritage. I would appreciate any help with this. Thanks a Bunch, Angela

Robert GEORGE aka TURNER (Coushatta Indian)

MelenieTurner82 — 2006-07-01 18:54:16Z

Hello,

I am looking for a lead on my Great Great Grandfather, Robert George. I was told he died in 1934 in Toledo. His wifes name was Beulah Fomby. They had several children but I don't know all of their names. Robert George changed all of their last namesMy great-granfathers name was Gertis Turner(died 1990 in Detroit, MI), great-uncle Donzell Turner and the last living child of Robert George and Beulah Fomby is Odessa Turner who is currently residing in Alabama but she doesn't recall much.

Any leads would be very much appreciated!

Re: Was there a Coushatta reservation near Tuscaloosa co Al-1860's

tottka33 — 2007-02-02 21:08:49Z

Insofar as I know, the Couchattas were no longer in Alabama during that period in time. They, as well as the Alabamas, had completed their migration to Texas and Louisiana and lived in scattered villages. The Alabama Reservation was established in 1854 and there may have been a Coushatta Rez in La. near Elton.

Please Help

marksavoie_1 — 2007-03-03 18:10:39Z

My grandmother said that we are part of the Coushatta Tribe. How much, I have no idea. I only remeber her mentioning this several times. I recently had a physical with blood work and my physician said that my blood work and my son's had many characteristics of inidian heritage. How does one even begin.

Thanks