The Power of Connection - An Invigorating Journey Into Family History

One of my favorite ways to take a break from the recording studio is to explore a new hobby. Doing something different to inject energy into my routine. Sometimes, this reveals a hidden talent or sparks a new obsession. That's exactly what happened with my latest interest—digging into my family history.

My sister, grandmother, me, and Aunt Paula, 1999

Ties to the Past

I have always been particularly curious about the details behind my Native American ancestry, spurred by stories from my grandmother from Tennessee. Growing up on the opposite side of the country, she’d send me books with Native American themes (my favorite is still The Education of Little Tree) and tell tales of our ancestors, including her fiery mother who rode a motorcycle in her 90s and fired a pistol in the air at garbagemen too rough with her bin. She’d send articles with highlighted or underlined sections and letters explaining issues important to her. She bragged to friends about "her little Indian girl granddaughter" covering wildfires on MSNBC, back in my days of TV News. I wish I had asked more about our ancestral ties before she passed. 

grandma's Notes

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Now, I seek answers in historical documents. Searching online databases of census records, church archives, family bibles, and photographs. I’ve visited the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City—the largest genealogical library in the world. And since Native American records are notoriously difficult to unravel, making each small connection feels like an even bigger reward.

My 4th great grand uncle (Ancestry)

“The challenge of determining (Native American) ancestry has to do with history itself. Traditionally, familial relationships were passed down through oral history. While this still occurs in many Native families today, intentional federal policies disrupted other methods of recording these relationships.”

-National Indian Child Welfare Association

My great-great grandmother's sister, front center (Ancestry)

In my digging, I found family ties to Eastern Cherokee and Catawba. I came across mission records, pension files, old photos of distant relatives, and court documents that detailed the struggles they endured. I met distant relatives who shared similar stories passed down through generations. While this is only part of my ancestry, each piece of the puzzle helps me better understand my past and feel a deeper connection to self. It also brings greater meaning and renewed interest to my work with Indigenous themes.

Shake it up!

So, if you're feeling stuck in a rut or just craving a little excitement, why not shake things up and try something new? No matter the challenge, you might just stumble upon your next passion and find yourself looking forward to that break from routine every chance you get.