Tracing Native American Genealogy @ Institute for American Indian Studies

These days there are many ways to trace one’s ancestral roots -- from DNA kits to massive websites; but sometimes insider knowledge can save a person a great deal of time and aggravation.   This is especially true for tracing one’s Native American ancestry. To start your voyage of discovery or to get past a research hump, join Jeanne Morningstar Kent to learn how to trace your Native American heritage on May 12, at the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tracing Native American genealogy can be tricky because there are very few official records about early Native Americans.  Morningstar is an enrolled member of the Nulhegan Band, Coosuk-Abenaki of Vermont, and descended from Nipissing, Montagnais, and the Algonquin People from the Quebec area of Canada, making her uniquely qualified to help you navigate the somewhat complicated ways of tracing your Native American ancestry.

Participants in this workshop will learn the best places to begin research, which can be a fascinating and rewarding process.  The focus of this workshop will be most helpful for people tracing Native Ancestors in New England and Quebec, Canada.  “This talk is geared to New England and Quebec because it is based on my own genealogy work for myself and my father’s family.  This is what I am most familiar with.  I am currently working on another family line that is in the Midwest and southern states, so I will be able to answer some questions regarding pursuing non Native research in those areas,” says Morningstar.

Highlights of this program are the helpful hints that Morningstar will share to make your research easier.  Some hints will be places to find information and how to recognize Native names even though they sound like Christian names.

Based on the successful research of her own Native American ancestry, Morningstar will provide essential information on the best techniques for tracing your Native past. “Anyone who has heard family stories about an ancestor being Native with possible roots from Canada will be most interested in what I cover.  I am open to answering whatever genealogy questions I can as I am now pursuing my mother’s side of the family, which is not Native and primarily requires research in the Midwest and southern states of the USA.  It is different.

This workshop, Moccasin Tracks: Native American Genealogy with Jeanne Morningstar Kent is expected to sell out and reservations are required. Call 860-868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org to reserve your place.  Adults are $15, Seniors $13, Children are $11 and members of IAIS are $5.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans; the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.