Melungeon Riddle Solved by Autosomal DNA Project


After many years in development, the results of a DNA ancestry project enrolling 40 Melungeons were published and made public, marking the end of an attempt to solve the mystery of a Southern U.S. ethnic group with autosomal DNA.

Seeming to lay to rest an old controversy in American history about Melungeons, the scientific data supporting a genetic mixture of white, American Indian and Sub-Saharan African were placed online today by the organizers of DNA Consultants’ Melungeon DNA Project.

The data report a sample of 40 Melungeons’ DNA fingerprints. Population analysis of the participants’ DNA fingerprints was used in an article for Appalachian Journal. Titled “Toward a Genetic Profile of Melungeons in Eastern Tennessee,” the study was co-authored by Donald N. Yates, principal investigator of DNA Consultants, and Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman, a professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

“This is a giant stride forward in understanding the mixed ancestry of Melungeons,” said Donald Yates, co-author. “Never before has autosomal DNA been used in attacking the problem.”

The 40 participants’ names were:

Anonymous, Mabel Bentley, Judy Douglas Bloom, Leah Laura Bulgariev, John (Dick) Caldwell, John R. Caldwell, Sr. (deceased), Virginia Caldwell, William Collins, Mary Goodman, Floyd Milton Grimwood (deceased), Ann Reagan Haines, Linda Barnett Hall, Nancy E. Hammes, Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman, Pat Goin Jones, Brenda LaForce, Everett LaForce, Jessica Kiely Law, Bonnie J. Lyda, N. Brent Kennedy, Richard Kennedy, Margaret E. Kross, MeriDee Orvis Mahan, Karen Mattern, Sebenia Ann Milbacher, Nicolas J. Millington, Holli Starnes Molnar, Nancy Sparks Morrison, Teresa Panther-Yates, Billy Starnes, Julia Starnes, Keely Starnes, Phyllis Starnes, Richard Stewart, Doretha J. Thornton, Kaye M. Viars, Celia Wyckoff, Wayne Winkler, Betty Yates Adams, Donald N. Yates.

Participants were qualified by their genealogies and included many names familiar to those who follow Melungeon genealogy discussion groups on the Internet, including Brent Kennedy, author of the book 1996 book that started the Melungeon Movement, his brother Richard Kennedy; Elizabeth Hirschman, a native of Kingsport, Tenn., along with several members of her family; Wayne Winkler of the Melungeon Heritage Association and author of Walking Toward the Sunset; and Nancy Morrison, creator of the online Melungeon Health referral service.

melungeon family tenessee

Melungeon family in Tennessee about 1900.

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  Comments: 19

  1. Mary Kennedy Owens


    My Grandfather was from TN and his history included a indian mother and references back in the 1950s to being related to the at-that- time relatively unknown Melungeons.” Portugee”, he said. His son would like to take a DNA test as he is the last male in this line. Could someone there tell us what would be the best test to take. Hoping to hear from you. Thanks in advance Mary Kennedy Owens


    • Ms. Owens, our Melungeon DNA Fingerprint Plus test would not only identify Melungeon markers, it would also reveal his top 50 World Population Matches, his links to European populations, and his ties to megapopulations around the world. Here’s the link to the description of that test on our website: https://dnaconsultants.com/product/our-tests/melungeon-dna-fingerprint-plus/ . You can read about the test and order it through the site, or call our office at (888) 806-2588 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time M-F. Let us know if we can help you further.


      • Just curious, as my great grandmother was a Bowling, if it would be useful to check mine? Many pictures from my mother’s older pictures show her family. I can definitely see the trait in many of her family. It would be fascinating if it would show this! They were based in Southwest Virginia. I always thought they had African or Indian in them. My great grandmother had almost an oriental/Indian look.
        Thanks!


        • I have found Bowlings in my family tree! I just found my biological family this year. So proud of my Melungeon heritage!

          • Deborah Bowling VanderClute


            I’m a Bowling but I don’t know that side of my family. All I know is that my grandfather’s name was Calvin Bowling and he fought in WWII.


        • My dad’s mother was a Mullins. Several of his aunts, uncles, married into so many families. We, also, have Bowling’s in our family. If you go on the cemtery web sites in Kingsport, TN, several are listed there. Get on Ancestry & start your research. If you need help, contact me at smilingbabygal1987@yahoo.com. Or you may call me at (918) 507-0209. I’m very good in my research & doing Genealogy. I can guide you where to look & how to find more about the “Bowling’s “. Or text me at the same number.

  2. Bobby J Barker


    Am I Cherokee or Mulungeon ???


  3. Nancy and I share relation, along with me being related to the Winklers. I am having issues with some of the “Melungeon illnesses” that Nancy spoke about, as are members of my mom’s family. What test would be perfect for me in this aspect (as I need every bit of genetic help I can get for myself and my severely disabled son)?


      • My great grandmother, Margret Yates, B: 15 Nov 1829 in TN; D: 28 Mar 1899 in IL, married James H. Dickson on 4 Mar 1848 in TN; moved into DeWitt Co., IL in time to be on the 1850 Census. The Family Bible says they were married at the residence of Squire A. Kimes. According to the Bible entry, witnesses to the marriage were William and Mary Yates with no indication of how they are related to Margret Yates. Abram Kimes served as a justice of the peace in Overton Co, TN, so I believe Margret and James lived and were married in Overton Co., TN. These are my late father’s grandparents. I was told by my father that his mother’s people were from the Smokie Mountains and were Native American. His mother was Harriet Ann Dickson Dillow; 7th child of James H. and Margret Yates Dickson. I wonder if Margret could be Melungeon.

  4. Wm. Lance Collins


    My grand-father was William Samuel Collins, said to be Melungeon. I have DNA test from Ancestor and would like to compare to those who are proven.


  5. My Great, Great, Grandmother was Native American Clarinda Sluss, my Aunt tried to trace, for proof. She wasn’t successful.

    • Ruby J Partin


      Hello I am a decendant of the Vardemom Collins, and Margaret “Spanish Peg” Gibson ancestors. My Great Grandfather was Sarah Collins, daughter of James Collins and Louisa Gibson. Thank you Ruby

  6. Mary Pauline anderson scales


    My mother was a mabe her mother was Isabella Austin I was told I had indian in my DNA but my daughter was tested and she had no Indian, all came from wythe co va


  7. After discovering I had African DNA with no known ancestors that it could belong to I started digging deeper into how it could be possible for me to have this DNA.
    A person on social media mentioned the lost tribe and the possibility of having a tri-racial ancestor. After searching some more I discovered my connection thru the Austin line of my ancestors and the fact they were melungeons.

    Certainly was a rabbit hole and unexpected cool surprise in my genealogy.


    • Yes, the Austins go back to Y chromosome haplotype E1b, which is Sub-Saharan African. Not all Melungeons have SSA admixture though.


    • When I did my DNA through Ancestry, I noticed just how many of my “cousins” either didn’t have a tree, or it was private. I’ve done genealogy for 40 years. My grandmother was a Gibson, a Melungeon. My line of Gibsons hit a brick wall with my 2nd ggf William S. Gibson, b. in Henry Co., AL in 1818 before the county was a county. He married Sarah (Sallie) Anderson, also a Melungeon surname. The migrated from SC with the Bunch family. My “cousins” can’t let it be know they have an ancestor with Africa roots. Racist is taught. Educate your children not to hate. God loves us all. ALL.OF.US.

  8. Annette Barbara Christell Maichen


    Hi, I think my William W Or M Hall might be Melungeon also It states on the 1850 census that he and his 1st wife Eliza Jane Hall were mulatto but on 2nd marriage was considered as white. I do not know who his parents are though. My grandfather states his mother Charlotte ” Lottie” melissa Hall Krewson was Cherokee Mixed blood in his military papers. Any help would be awesome for this in my last line to finish. Annette MAichen My grandfather is galen Vane Krewson aka Bill Small was very dark. Thank you Annette

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