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From: "Bette Richards" <>
Subject: [DNA] Native Americans
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 14:33:38 -0700


Some time ago I mentioned on this list that when I went to be tested as a
bone marrow donor, I was informed that I was Northern Native American and
North American or European. I was not asked any questions about my
ethnicity at the time I took the test. They informed me when the results
came in. I tried to get the record of the test results but my records are
too old and unobtainable beyond the classification as above.

The interesting thing is that while we suspect Native Americans on both
sides of the family I have never been able to prove that with a paper trail.
On my mother's side we trace back 5 generations to a suspected Mohawk and at
the 6th generation both sides of that family were living on St. Regis Indian
Reservation and in Massena, NY before white men were supposed to be there.
Even so, my family left there about 1850 and there are no records I can find
except baptismal records at the Mission Church, which make no mention of
race.

On my father's side, our suspected Indian ancestor is 7 generations back and
a possible Penobscot Indian. Both the Mohawk and the Penobscot would come
out to Northern Native American.

And my other known ancestors are English, Scotch, Irish, German, Dutch and
French so obviously European.

If all you want to know is whether you are Native American it is a whole lot
cheaper to get tested as a bone marrow donor than the other tests are.
Usually if you are a minority it is free. In addition, you may save someone
else's life should you match anyone and agree to give bone marrow. I am
told they no longer take the bone marrow from your hip. It is a simple
blood draw like giving blood.

Bette


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