Genealogy: seeking all the facts of my heritage

When I was a child, I met my great paternal grandmother shortly before she died. I was never told much about her. I remember asking my mother why mygreat-grandmother always sat quietly in her room for hours, neverspeaking to anyone orsmiling. My mother, who did not get along with her, simply replied, "Aww, she's an Indian."


To me, she looked like an "Indian" with her long grey hair and copper-colored, leathered skin. The only thing that I remember to this day about heris bits and pieces of whatmy mother told me, and the delicious food she made for my sister and I the first time we visited her: Collard greens, homemade ginger bread and freshly churned ice cream. I had never tasted anything like that in my life, and have not since.


There is a missing puzzle piece regarding both my great paternal grandmother, and my grandfather, her son,which I would like to solve. My family and I found much information last summer, but some mysteries remain.


Regarding my grandfather, we were able to find his birth certificate, which documents him as "white."He bought the land where I was partially raised when he was 14 years old.Hegraduated from theology college in a nearby town, and went on to become an ordained Baptist minister.His mother was full-bloodied Chicasaw Indian, derivative of the Seminole, many of whom lived throughout the south.We know nothing of who his father was or how my grandfather was able to buy land at the age of 14.


My brother recently told me that my grandfather had told him that he shaved his head in order to "pass for Negro."I am assuming that this is regarding the Jim Crow laws of the south during that time.My mother told me that the only thing my grandfather ever told her about himself is that his father was "a Jew." But my mother's maiden name is definitely Irish.


The thing about genealogy is that once you have information, you want more. My daughter and her mother-in-law, who are doing the bulk of the research, have thus far discovered that my father's peoplewould have come from somewhere near Senegal, West Africa, which would explain my father's tall, dark-skinned good looks. It would also explain why, when he married my mother, who is multi-racial,their children- my brothers and sisters- were of mixed hues. Yet, we are allproud to be called African-American.


Earlyon, I noticed a certain personality trait in many of my siblings which I now clearly understandcan be contributed toour heritage from the Chickasaw tribe. In readingabout them, I learned that they were quiet, peace-loving people, but fierce warriors in battle. In other words, they were confident, but no "chatty-kathies" here (lol). How come I already suspected that?


In short, I have learned a lot about my heritage, and would like to learn more, especially about my great paternal grandfather. I'm assuming his inclusion in my heritage is related to slavery in some way.I would also like to know how my grandfather was able to purchase land at the age of 14. And why he never told us more about himself.


I would like to know if anyone else has done research on their family heritage? And if there is a place I could further look to findthe missing pieces? Your input would be greatly appreciated, as I would really like to know more aboutmy ancestors.