Hi,

I've just made a startling discovery...ok, at this point it's only a theory, but here it is:

My maternal grandfather, Henry L. Bird/Byrd was born on Sep 18, 1884 (thanks to his WWI Draft Registration card for this golden nugget of information). The `Indian' box was checked, then scribbled out and replaced with `White'.

Two separate death records for his infant sons that died (in 1919 and 1922), shows his birth place to be Wayne Co., NC).

The 1920 Census shows his birthplace to be NC and his parents were each born in OK.

The 1930 Census shows he is full-blood Cherokee and, because the enumerator did his/her job exactly as detailed by the instruction manual for this Census (thankfully), it shows that he is born in NC, is full-blood (where his father's birthplace would normally be listed), and he is Cherokee (where his mother's birthplace would have been listed).

My new theory, based on the fact that Wayne County was well East of most known places where Indians would have been living in 1884...is that he was born in SWAIN County, NOT WAYNE County.

So...would anyone happen to have my grandfather Henry in their tree???

Thanks for your time,

I am a descedent of a John Byrd who was a full blood cherokee from Swain County. His daughter's name was Sallie Goo-Quah. She married a white man. I have been unable to find out any information on her family. Sounds like we may be searching for the same family.

another possibility - Haywood County is next to the Reservation, and the county seat is Waynesville. Could be that he meant Haywood County.

Wow! That was quick!!
Hmmm...I would have to agree with you; we are quite possibly researching the same family.

I'll see what I can find on your John Byrd.

Thanks!

Thank you very much. I will certainly look into this lead.

this has been my needle in a haystack and my brick wall 4 years. glad to hear from you and look forward 2 communicating more. based on what u said my ancestor may be be a brother or uncle' just a theory