Coastal Carolina Indian News

Dr. Blair A. Rudes
(1951-2008)

• 3/28/08 - Remembering a Friend: Dr. Blair A. Rudes - On March 16th, we lost our dear friend and linguistic advisor, Dr. Blair A. Rudes, to a heart attack. Read more.
   

• 04/01/08 - Croatoan Word List More Coastal Algonquian words, including place names compiled from historical lists by Scott Dawson with some further explanation by Dr. Blair Rudes.
   

• 2/22/08 - The Trial of Baron Christoph von Graffenried and Surveyor General John Lawson - An excerpt from von Graffenried's Account of the Founding of New Bern. Details the journey made by Lawson and von Graffenried into Tuscarora territory, including their capture, trial, and the execution of John Lawson.

• 1/26/08 - Coastal Algonquian Vocabulary A sampling of the Coastal Algonquian language was translated by Dr. Blair A. Rudes at the request of Coastal Carolina Indian Center over a year ago. This brief vocabulary is now available in our Research Databases.
   

• 10/31/07 - Winner of the Three Sisters Necklace Raffle is Ms. Phyllis Lowry! Congratulations, Phyllis! Thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets. Now we're even closer to our goal of purchasing the Colonial and State Records books!
   

• 10/17/07 - Naming Traditions of the Indians of Hatteras Island - Tradition has it that male children were born with one name and given another after their time of trial. The time of trial was a "coming-of-age" ritual that usually took place once a young man reached 15-years-old. Click here to read more about it.
   

• 10/9/07 - What's with all the ads? - Some of you may have noticed that there are now several Google-based ads spread along the borders of this website. This is something that we have just put in place as of today in hopes that it might generate a tiny bit of revenue for CCIC. Click here to read about that, as well as a few other items related to fundraising.
   

• 10/5/07 - The Lost Colony? Maybe not. - This feature article by guest contributor Scott Dawson, a Hatteras native, logically explains how the historical record plainly indicates that the 1587 group of English colonists was never actually lost. He dispels much of the "hype" in favor of a simple look at the facts. Want to know what really happened to the "Lost Colonists?" Click here.
   

• 10/1/07 - EastCarolinaRoots.com - CCIC's own Sara Whitford has just launched a brand new website and DNA project focused on the families of eastern North Carolina, in particular, the first families to colonize Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, Pamlico and Pitt Counties. This site will hopefully serve as a research hub for the families that trace their trees back to the earliest days of North Carolina, whether of Indigenous, European or African origin, or any mixture of the three. Using the best of internet search technology, and tapping into the genetic answers that DNA testing provides, if enough people get involved with EastCarolinaRoots, everyone can work together to break through those genealogical "brick walls" in our family trees.
   

• 9/20/07 - "Tuscarora Ascendancy" by Dr. Thomas Parramore is now available in our Research Databases. We're grateful to the North Carolina Historic Publications Division for granting us permission to reprint this article on our site in its entirety. We're also grateful to the Duke University Press (for permission to include the two maps from the article which originally appeared in the journal Ethnohistory) and the Burgerbibliothek Bern in Bern, Switzerland for granting us permission to reprint the two images by Franz Louis Michel and John Louis Michel.
   

• 9/18/07 - ATTENTION TEACHERS! Information is now available online regarding the 2007-08 Great Salt Water Educational Fair. Click here for information.
   

• 8/31/07 - Great news! CCIC is happy to announce that we have secured permission from the Historical Publications Division at North Carolina Archives to publish some wonderful historical research articles that have appeared in the North Carolina Historical Review over the years, including: "The Tuscarora Ascendancy" by Thomas Parramore (1982);  "In the ‘Scolding Houses’: Indians Before the Colonial Courts in North Carolina, 1684-1760" by Michelle LeMaster (2006); and "‘All This Poor Province Could Do’: North Carolina and the Seven Years’ War, 1757-1762” by John R. Maass (2002).
   

• 8/1/07 - Thanks to a very sweet and talented friend of CCIC, enrolled Tuscarora Bead Artist, Jolie, we have a truly spectacular, one-of-a-kind Three Sisters necklace that will go to one lucky winner of our first ever fundraising raffle.
   

• 6/12/07 - Halfway to goal! We're happy to report that CCIC is now halfway to our goal of being able to purchase an open-box set of the Colonial Records of North Carolina, First Series.
   

• 6/12/07 - Saponi Lands in Eastern North Carolina - Information on mid-18th century Saponi lands in present-day Wayne County. Includes Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (est. 1945.)
   

• 5/4/07 - Surnames Database Project - This database features a series of full name/ surname lists based on associations with particular tribes or special areas of research. This database will be updated regularly, so check back often (or sign up for CCIC News Updates and know the moment the updates are posted.)
   

• 5/1/07 - A Message from CCIC Founder & President - Teresa Morris expresses her thoughts on the many different directions our communities are going in right now, and also offers words of encouragement.
   
• 5/1/07 - Excerpts from the Journal of John Barnwell - According to Barnwell, Fort Hancock was designed for the Tuscaroras by a "runaway negro" slave named Harry. Also in this entry (representing one single day of Barnwell's long campaign against the Tuscarora) Barnwell insults and condemns the local Palatines who had participated with him in his assault on the fort by calling them "cowards" and saying that for their running from the assault rather than proceeding according to his orders, the Tuscaroras, "deservedly shott sevll of them in their arses." After rattling off casualty statistics, he then proceeds to brag incessantly about the bravery of his own South Carolina men.
   
• 4/29/07 - MORE NEW RESEARCH ITEMS!
  • Indian "Settlements" in the Post-War Era - Brief descriptions from Hawks' History relating to the various settlements (reservations/territories) specified for Indian use in the post-Tuscarora War era.
  • Col. Pollock's letter to the Lords Proprietors - Describes the worried state of the colonials in the wake of the death of Gov. Hyde, and in the midst of the "Tuscarora War." Also has an example of the common colonial reference to all Indians belonging to the Haudenosaunee as "Senecas."
  • Laws Regarding Servants and Slaves - Describes early colonial North Carolina laws in reference to indentured servants and slaves, particularly in regards to race. For instance, the unfortunate, innocent child born to a white servant woman while under indenture was placed into bondage at birth until age 31. For getting pregnant during her indenture, she would be bound to serve an additional two years, and if the father of the child was Indian, black, or mulatto, on top of serving two additional years, she'd also have to pay an enormous 6 pound fine at the end of her servitude.
     
• 4/28/07 - NEW RESEARCH ITEMS!
  • Hawks Papers - North Carolina Resolutions against Bay River Indians, Tuscaroras and their allies. This series of orders from the North Carolina Colonial Record (Second Series, Vol. VII) - 1711-1712, explains the colonies intentions against the Tuscarora and Bay River Indians in the wake of the September 22, 1711 Indian revolt against the colonists along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers.
  • Excerpts from Hawks' History of North Carolina, Vol. 2 - Selections relating to the period of the Tuscarora War (1711-1713). Tuscaroras, Senecas, Meherrins, Mattamuskeets and Englishmen refusing to serve in the war against the Tuscaroras and their allies are mentioned.
  • Entries Regarding the Indian Revolt of 1711 - From Hawks' History of North Carolina, Vol. 2. Gives descriptions of the events surrounding the Tuscarora and allied revolt and attack upon the colonists along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. (Hawks had reprinted these from the Colonial Records.)
  • Extracts from the Discoveries of John Lederer - From Hawks' History of North Carolina, Vol. 2. "In three several Marches from Virginia to the west of Carolina, and other parts of the Continent; begun in March, 1669, and ended in September, 1670. Collected and translated out of Latin from his discourse and writings, by SIR WILLIAM TALBOT, Baronet. Printed in London, in 1672. "
     
• 4/27/07 - Snow Hill Resolution on Tuscarora Sites - The text of a resolution introduced by Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis and passed unanimously by the Snow Hill Board of Commissioners on April 9, 2007. (CCIC wishes to thank Snow Hill Town Administrator Bob Clark for allowing us to repost this resolution on our website.) Click here to read the resolution in its entirety.
   
• 4/26/07 - CCIC Site Search Now Available! - To make things easier for everyone who uses the CCIC website, we've added a Google-powered search engine to help folks find exactly what they're looking for, quicker and easier than ever before.
   
• 4/26/07 - News from Around Indian Country - RSS Feeds from Indian Country Today have been added to the CCIC News page for your convenience. More RSS feeds on Indian news will be added as new ones are suggested.
   
• 4/20/07 - Fort Neoheroka News - Archaeologists Charles Heath and Dr. John Byrd have completed the first step in the process to have the Fort Neoheroka battlefield site placed on the National Register for Historic Places, therefore moving it one step closer to protection in perpetuity. Click here to read more.
   
• 4/18/07 - New Additions to Research Databases! We've been busy at work putting more information in a web-friendly format for everyone to enjoy. New files in the Research Databases include:
  • Cross-reference of all "Other Free" (aka "Free People of Color") that appear on the 1790 Federal Census for several eastern North Carolina counties. Cross-referencing includes known Indian communities on historic maps, as well as modern-day counterparts; known Indian surnames; and reference links to original sources!
  • Brooks deeds from Hyde County
  • Tuscarora Deeds from Bertie County Deed Book M
  • Bass - Nansemond/Chowanoc Bible Record
     
• 4/10/07 - Preserving Tuscarora Sites - (Reprinted from The Free Press, By Katie Marshall) SNOW HILL - The Town of Snow Hill voted unanimously to support the preservation of Tuscarora settlements and the Fort Neoheroka site. (Read more...)
   
• 4/9/07 - Indians in Carteret County extracted and submitted to CCIC by Kevin Davis. A number of entries from the Court Records of Carteret County, 1723-1820 of named Indian individuals have been added to CCIC Research Databases.
   
• 3/23/07 - Wild Horses of Shackelford Banks - In 2006, CCIC was involved in the naming of some of the wild foals born on Shackelford Banks. Click here to see their photos.
   
• 3/22/07 - Letter from Gov. Dobbs on French-Indian War - The text of this letter, dated 1754, has been added to our research databases. In it, Gov. Dobbs makes his case proposing a plan of union with all British Colonies and Indian allies for defense against the French and the Indians they have recruited to fight against the British. Specifically references Six Nations. Eventually, the Carolinas ended up recruiting a number of Tuscaroras, Cherokees, Catawbas and other Indian allies to fight alongside the British in the French-Indian war. Click here to read the letter.
   
• 3/21/07 - "Death of a Reservation" - Excerpt from F. Roy Johnson's The Tuscaroras, Vol. 2 has been added to Research Databases. Click here to read it now. 
   
• 2/5/07 - CCIC Is Doing its Homework - CCIC to start educational commission to examine how North Carolina Public Schools are dealing with not only Indian students, but also teaching North Carolina Indian history. Click here for more information.
   
• 2/5/07 - Outstanding Native American Role Models in North Carolina - CCIC is looking to acknowledge Outstanding Indian Role Models from across the state. Please click here for more information.
   

• 12/21/06 - Researching Indian Ancestry by Sara Whitford has been added to our Research page. If you have come to this site because you are just beginning a search into possible Indian ancestry, please read this page for tips on researching Indian genealogy first.
   

• 12/10/06 - The Tuscaroras, Vol. 2 by F. Roy Johnson is now available for purchase through the Murfreesboro Historical Association! Volume 1 was also printed, but due to technical errors with the first print, it is being reprinted again. It will be available soon, as well. If you'd like to order a copy, contact the Murfreesboro Historical Association by phone at (252) 398-5922, or via e-mail at histassn@greenvillenc.com. Click here for more information.
   

• 12/5/06 - Families of Mattamuskeet database added! This brand new research feature will be updated frequently as we are able to add names from Mattamuskeet reservation records and other official documents. Eventually this database will also include all known descendants of Mattamuskeet-based Indians.
   

• 11/8/06 - News From Indian Country article by Sara Whitford on Protection of Fort Neoheroka, Repatriation of Remains
   

• 11/7/06 - Tuscarora Place Names Etymologies by Dr. Blair Rudes added to CCIC Research Database
   

• 09/23/06 - We will begin putting some of our GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH DATABASES online, little by little, as staff and time permits.
   

• 07/21/06 - Letter to Teachers - Traveling Speaker for American Indian Heritage Month (November)
   

• 3/15/06 - Click here for PDF of Winter 2006 newsletter.
   

• 2/27/06 - Winter 2006 newsletters will be going out this week. Keep an eye on your mailboxes.
   

• 11/07/05 - BLANKETS FOR PINE RIDGE AUCTIONS are now up and running. Please visit CCIC's listings on eBay and bid now on one of Donna Koch's hand-crafted afghans. If you win, you'll not only be able to warm up in one of these beautiful creations, you'll also be helping keep the folks at Pine Ridge Reservation warm this winter (see more in the block titled "Lend a Hand" to the right).
   

• 10/27/05 - THE NEW WORLD Update: The release date for The New World has been pushed back to December 25th (Christmas Day). The film will initially premiere in limited release, but will open in theaters nationwide sometime early 2006.
   

• 10/27/05 - CCIC Members - keep an eye on your mailboxes. The autumn newsletters should be arriving any day now.  
   

• 09/27/05 - UNCOVERING THE PAST: A Look at Coastal Carolina Indian History & Genealogy - Join us for a poignant journey through the history of the First People of eastern North Carolina. We’ll start by discussing what life was like in the pre-colonial era and take you through to modern times where many of the descendants of the Coastal Carolina Tribes are completely unaware of their own indigenous heritage, yet still living on the lands of their ancestors.

  When: Thursday, November 17, 2005
  Lecture begins at 7:00pm
  Where: Craven Regional Library
  New Bern, North Carolina

  You’ll learn about...

  • What tribes lived where;
  • What the original languages of eastern North Carolina sounded like;
  • The cause and effect of the Indian wars;
  • The unique methods for potentially uncovering Indian heritage in your own family tree.
     
• 08/10/05 - We at Coastal Carolina Indian Center would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Donna Koch of Chesapeake, Virginia. Ms. Koch recently sent us eight beautiful hand-crocheted afghans to send to Porcupine reservation in South Dakota. She has also agreed to let us auction off one the afghans to raise money to buy propane for keeping folks warm, as well.
   
• 08/02/05 - This coming November, The New World, a New Line Production starring Colin Farrell as Capt. John Smith and newcomer Q'Orianka Kilcher as Pocahontas, will debut in movie theaters across America. Click here to read about this first ever film to deal realistically with the events surrounding Jamestown & the Powhatan Confederacy.
   
• 06/24/05 - National Public Radio affiliate, Public Radio East, out of New Bern, North Carolina recently interviewed CCIC Vice President Sara Whitford on Tuscarora history. Click here to visit our media page and hear the interview.
   
• 05/30/05 - CCIC would like to extend a "thank you" for Steven Spielberg for taking the initiative to produce the upcoming six week television event, Into the West.
  
  The 12-hour mini-series is to date the most ambitious attempt ever made at detailing the westward expansion in the 19th century and will focus on various aspects of that history including Indian/white relations. The primary family that this mini-series will focus on consists of white settlers, the Wheelers, who intermarried repeatedly with Lakota people. The contrast is made between ordinary folks such as these who are just trying to get along in day-to-day life... despite cultural differences and then historical figures such as the infamous Indian-hater, Col. Chivington (known for his catch phrase, "Kill them all -- big and small -- nits make lice!"), William T. Sherman and Sitting Bull.
  
  CCIC is optimistic that this film will give an accurate and balanced portrayal of the events as they happened. We see this film as an opportunity for the public-at-large to learn about the brutal policy of some of the military expansionist zealots and other racists of the day in contrast to the shared humanity between the Lakota people and the white settlers who did make an effort to peacefully coexist.
  
  If you would like to see trailers for the series or find more information, please visit the website: http://www.intothewest.com
   
• 05/27/05 - CCIC is in the beginning stages of bringing the Coastal Carolina Indian Center Museum & Village to reality. Please stay tuned for announcements regarding the progress of this project.
   
• 12/11/04 - The new Coastal Carolina Indian Center website is launched.
   
• 11/5/04-11/7/04 - The first ever Great Salt Water Powwow & Educational Fair