Why I believe my family is Melungeon.

[Flora Marie McKinney Stone]

  Several years ago I was researching physical characteristics of Native Americans based on my Dad's affirmation of Amerindian heritage.  During the process I found information about Melungeons.

  I have the Anatolian bump (forgive me if I'm not quite up to date on this, but I distinctly remember this!).  In fact, even if I had not felt for the bump after reading about it I would have known about it because it makes sitting in certain padded headrest seats rather uncomfortable!

  We thought that this came through my Grandma's family, but my Mom told me that she had encountered the same bump on my Grandfather McKinney's head while cutting his hair. 

  So, on Grandma's side we have a great great Cherokee grandmother.  On Grandpa's side we have, evidently, Melungeon.

   I'm going to post some pictures of our family that are very similar to ones on your site. 

  For me, looking into our ancestry is not only a matter of what our names indicate, I want to know what our genetics indicate.  

  

[Melungeon Heritage Association]

Welcome, Flora Marie!  I was able to take the picture and post it inside your blog post so people can see the evidence.  Re genetics, I recently had some dental work and the dentist commented about the beveled shape of the end of my incisors.  This might be the Asian/Native American shovel teeth-- another thing like the Anatolian bump; not sure of the scientific evidence about these traits.