I have always been told that my great grandmother was Cherokee, and I want to find out for certain. I can provide family history.
To start: EUNA JANE YOUNG, b. March 24, 1872, Irwin Co, GA; d. January 10, 1954, Irwin Co, GA, and was married to HENRY THOMAS FLETCHER, b. February 26, 1875, d. July 14, 1946. Euna Jane Young Fletcher’s parent were GEORGE YOUNG and MARY COOPER
Euna was the daughter of George Young and Mary Cooper. These families have no Cherokee connection whatsoever.
George Young, 1832 – 1908 (Irwin, GA) was the son of Thomas Paulk Young 1802 – 1845 and Mary Beaty 1805 – 1879; and grandson of George Young 1775 – and Rebecca Paulk 1778 -. Mary Beaty was the daughter of Irish immigrants (County Down).
Mary Cooper, 1837 – 1909 (Irwin, GA) was the daughter of Thomas Cooper 1790 – 1881 and Sarah MNU 1794 – UNK. They had a small plantation with a number of African slaves. Robert had secured land in Alabama (e.g. Montgomery County) in the early 1800s, and then moved into Georgia by the early 1830s.
Mary was the granddaughter of George Young 1775–1798 and Rebecca Paulk 1778–1806.
The majority of these family lines are well-traced and go back to colonial roots, and represented early (White) settlers to the southeast United States. They fought in American wars, took land grants in territory that was ceded by tribes, owned slaves, and were respected members of White society. There is evidence that can specifically disprove any supposed Cherokee connection for 3 of her 4 grandparents. One grandmother, Sarah, whose last name or identity is simply unverified at this point is more mysterious. But, it would not appear to be Cherokee by the fact that they were married in Montgomery County, AL in 1827. Basically, “wrong place and time” to find a Cherokee woman living in White society.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgomery_County,_Alabama#/media/File:Map_of_Alabama_highlighting_Montgomery_County.svg
Here is some background information and links to extant research (rather extensive on some of these lineages):
Marriage Certificate:
George Young
Mary A. Cooper
Marriage Date
10 Nov 1853
County: Irwin
State: Georgia
Irwin County, Georgia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_County,_Georgia#/media/File:Map_of_Georgia_highlighting_Irwin_County.svg
THOMAS YOUNG FAMILY
From History of Irwin County by J. B. Clements pg. 506.
“Thomas Young married Mary Beaty, and had three sons and seven daughters. He was killed by James Hall. His sons were: Jacob Young, who married Sophronia Fletcher, George Young, who married Mary Cooper, and Thomas Young, who married Emily Passmore…”
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Mary Beaty
Thomas Young
Marriage Date:
10 Feb 1825
Marriage County: Jefferson
Marriage State: Georgia
Jefferson County, Georgia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Georgia#/media/File:Map_of_Georgia_highlighting_Jefferson_County.svg
Thomas Young’s parents:
George Young
1775–1798
Rebecca Paulk
1778–1806
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74511588
Coffey County, GA Bible (George Young and Rebecca Paulk)
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/coffee/bibles/gyoung.txt
Inscriptions:
George Young m. 1798 Rebecca Paulk
Under Marriages (Bible)
Sons
Jacob C. Young 1824 to Elizabeth Marchant
Thomas Young 1823 to Mary Beaty
Children of Thomas and Mary
Rev. Jacob to Sophronia Fletcher 10-8-1847
Margaret to Archibald McMillan 12-19-1839
Rebecca to John Hill 2-18-1847
Abbie to John Vickers 11-20-1845
Nancy to Jacob Harper 1-21-1847
George to Mary Cooper 11-10-1855
Mary died single
Eliza died single
Caroline to James H. Fletcher 12-30-1854
Thomas J. to Emily Passmore 12-23-1858
There is another name listed but cannot read it…Shirley Durden
Young lineage going back to Scot-Irish roots:
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scroots/sc06763.htm
George Young b. 1775 GA, was son of Jacob Young b. 1749 SC, grandson of George Young 1730 SC, great-grandson of Isaac Young (Scot-Irish immigrant, bricklayer).
Paulk family ancestor – Micajah Paulk:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124004168
MICAJAH PAULK, SR.
Born 7 Oct 1733 -Died Mar 1812
Married 1763 to Sarah, Born 1745 – Died 1 Dec 1803
Micajah Paulk (Sr.) received bounty land for his Revolutionary War service as a private while residing in Richmond County, Georgia.
Deep roots and intermarriage between families:
http://www.southgeorgiagenealogy.com/smadpaul.htm
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wbarfieldsr/pafg72.htm#2166