trading posts

[Muttly]

i was told that my greatgrandfather ran a trading post in the dakotas in the 1800s and that i have ancestors on both sides of Little Bighorn. are there any records, stories or other info available on the early trading posts?? any idea how many trading posts there were through the Dakotas and which tribes would be trading in that area?? i know that there are several branches of Lakota but that's it.... sadly my parents were ashamed of mixed blood and wouldn't talk about it. before he died my uncle told me stories and showed me old pics though.... now there is no one else left to ask... ancestry records probably won't record a hook up between a local and a immigrant. (that's a whole story in itself)

thanks for any help...

[docat]

i was told that my greatgrandfather ran a trading post in the dakotas in the 1800s and that i have ancestors on both sides of Little Bighorn. are there any records, stories or other info available on the early trading posts?? any idea how many trading posts there were through the Dakotas and which tribes would be trading in that area?? i know that there are several branches of Lakota but that's it.... sadly my parents were ashamed of mixed blood and wouldn't talk about it. before he died my uncle told me stories and showed me old pics though.... now there is no one else left to ask... ancestry records probably won't record a hook up between a local and a immigrant. (that's a whole story in itself)

thanks for any help...

When it comes to family stories, it's good to TRUST but VERIFY.

A great place to start is with government records. The US government kept careful census records on Indian populations; in some eras, they did a census every year! If you don't already have a subscription, I'd suggest you go to ancestry.com and get that. I think they have a deal that you can look for free for 14 days.

So start with what you've been told and VERIFY with other sources. Another source that people forget about is newspaperarchive.com You can find out a lot if you look at the newspapers in the area, and in 1800s, that's how frontier people got their news. The bigger western towns set up a press as soon as they were settled, and even smaller frontier towns ended up with newspapers.

I think they have a free trial period as well. I was able to find pictures of my ancestors in the papers! Even if they couldn't read or speak English, a great deal of Indian news that affected whites was recorded for the white population to read.

If any of them committed crimes, you'll find a lot of information, or if they did something to strengthen ties with the white population (something people in a trading post would do), you might find articles on that too.

I didn't have any trouble filling in my family tree due to good government record keeping, BUT when I was able to read about them in the newspapers, I learned much much more (not all of it good) about them.

Good luck on your search.

[Muttly]

Thanks Docat

i will buckle down and do some serious research. is it true that a dna test will prove (or disprove) any native blood?? it would be funny and sad at the same time to find out my uncle (called redman) was mistaken. in my mind it would be cause for celebration to find out that he was right, it sure would explain alot in my life....

thanks again

[docat]

Thanks Docat

i will buckle down and do some serious research. is it true that a dna test will prove (or disprove) any native blood?? it would be funny and sad at the same time to find out my uncle (called redman) was mistaken. in my mind it would be cause for celebration to find out that he was right, it sure would explain alot in my life....

thanks again

You might get varying opinions on the DNA test, but it is my opinion that it is not that accurate when detecting Native blood. Besides, that would not prove which nation your ancestor was from. So that's probably a waste of money.

The best proof is what the government records will show. They kept better records of Indians than any other population. Take what you know first and then go backward in time using government records you can find easily on ancestry.

Once you have the names and places, you can fill in gaps of knowledge with newspaper articles and other things you learn about your ancestor with a newspaperarchive.com subscription.

I wish you good luck in your endeavor. But whether you find Indian blood or not, you'll find the hobby richly rewarding. I guess I don't understand the excitement you feel at the prospect of having an Indian ancestor.

Ancestors are ancestors and each contribute a little toward your make up. One particular g-grandparent is only 1/8th of your blood. You have 7/8 of other blood from your other 7 g-grandparents.

[Muttly]

Quote:
"I guess I don't understand the excitement you feel at the prospect of having an Indian ancestor.

well, i'll try to explain....

i fully embrace my very mixed blood. it offers me a lot of viewpoints. looking back at the various (lack of) cultures that make up my mix, the only one that has a heart or sense of how to BE in this world is that of the first people of this land. i feel pride in being associated with that. the other 7/8 do not include any real spirituality, rather assigning responsibility to some religion or other where they check in on sundays. my personal spirituality tends to be an every moment kinda thing. it seems to me that most 'natives' i've met in this life take for granted some sensibilities and sense abilities that are completely lacking in 'non-natives'..... hope that helps.... i thank you for the the comment. it has helped me put to words feelings that i have not had to express to anyone before.

to borrow another quote, author unknown to me:
i don't have words for the things i need to say and the words i have don't mean what i need them to....

[wyo_rose]

You can find trading post history in books. I found a mention or two of my LaJeunesse ancestor in history books of the local area in regards to a trading post and army fort. Very Interesting! And he was related to the Gabriel LaJeunesse in the Cajun poem "Evangeline".

I was so excited, I went to the army fort which is now a museum, and there was NO mention of him or his family.

As for DNA tests, it's interesting as well...but would not tell you what tribe. I want one LOL, just cuz my official blood degree is not right...and it would be very interesting!

[Muttly]

trading posts

i'm waiting for a call back from my cuz, he has the box of info and hopefully has the copy of our tree already done. that'll give the names of that branch.... otherwise i'll be starting over shortly...

the DNA test is on the list either way.

it is what it is, even if the story is yet another lie, and this blood is 100% euro it doesn't change a thing for me. i still identify with the core values found in American native cultures. You'll still see me lurking at the powwows, munching frybread and tapping my feet. sorry, you're stuck with me either way!!

[wyo_rose]

Well, in NW MT, you're in prime powwow territory.

[Muttly]

from a trading post to a fort....

[MENTION=101915]docat[/MENTION]

"The best proof is what the government records will show. They kept better records of Indians than any other population. Take what you know first and then go backward in time using government records...."

Found GGpa on the 1885 Dakota Territories census. he worked at Fort Berthold for the IAS thru 1904 as a blacksmith. 53-123-10.... Gma was born there in 1901

been catching up on the history of the Three Affiliated Tribes....

what a ride. on goes the search