Post by volantis on May 28, 2019 12:38:59 GMT -5
I am a genealogist working on Wikitree, and have taken up an interest in the ancestry of Joseph DeSmet Lewis, aka Turkey Head, Tipi Haneka, Long House, Zomie.
You can read a discussion I have been having about this family on the G2G forum: www.wikitree.com/g2g/834588/is-it-bigotry-toward-native-americans-deny-oral-traditions
This discussion has led to an effort to systematically identify Joseph's parentage and the facts surrounding his claim that he is the son of Meriwether Lewis, which can be seen here: www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Space:Joseph_DeSmet_Lewis_documents
I have read some older posts here at American Tribes that some descendants of Joseph DeSmet Lewis have taken DNA tests, and have found connections to the Lewis family: amertribes.proboards.com/post/19963
If there ever was an opportunity for the descendants of Joseph DeSmet Lewis to have their family history officially recognized, this is it. Serious genealogists are working on this family at this time, and are looking to get to the truth of the claim.
For my part, I am already satisfied that the claim is legitimate. There is an abundance of evidence already presented that confirms Joseph's claims. The photographs of Meriwether Lewis and Joseph DeSmet Lewis are clear evidence in themselves.
The family of Joseph DeSmet Lewis are welcome to join this effort, and to provide any evidence they have to offer, including DNA evidence. You can participate directly on Wikitree, or share your information in this thread, and I will share it on Wikitree. Everybody here is also welcome to put their genealogy on Wikitree, which is a single GEDCOM file for the entire world. I will assist anyone who asks for help with using Wikitree. Through Wikitree, you can see how you are related to any other historical person who is also listed on Wikitree. In addition to genealogy, Wikitree is also a great place to share historical facts related to each person. On Wikitree, the stories can be preserved for future generations, and also be shared with others such that the Native American history can exist with equal honor with the European version of North American history.
You can read a discussion I have been having about this family on the G2G forum: www.wikitree.com/g2g/834588/is-it-bigotry-toward-native-americans-deny-oral-traditions
This discussion has led to an effort to systematically identify Joseph's parentage and the facts surrounding his claim that he is the son of Meriwether Lewis, which can be seen here: www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Space:Joseph_DeSmet_Lewis_documents
I have read some older posts here at American Tribes that some descendants of Joseph DeSmet Lewis have taken DNA tests, and have found connections to the Lewis family: amertribes.proboards.com/post/19963
If there ever was an opportunity for the descendants of Joseph DeSmet Lewis to have their family history officially recognized, this is it. Serious genealogists are working on this family at this time, and are looking to get to the truth of the claim.
For my part, I am already satisfied that the claim is legitimate. There is an abundance of evidence already presented that confirms Joseph's claims. The photographs of Meriwether Lewis and Joseph DeSmet Lewis are clear evidence in themselves.
The family of Joseph DeSmet Lewis are welcome to join this effort, and to provide any evidence they have to offer, including DNA evidence. You can participate directly on Wikitree, or share your information in this thread, and I will share it on Wikitree. Everybody here is also welcome to put their genealogy on Wikitree, which is a single GEDCOM file for the entire world. I will assist anyone who asks for help with using Wikitree. Through Wikitree, you can see how you are related to any other historical person who is also listed on Wikitree. In addition to genealogy, Wikitree is also a great place to share historical facts related to each person. On Wikitree, the stories can be preserved for future generations, and also be shared with others such that the Native American history can exist with equal honor with the European version of North American history.