AncesTrees: Genealogy Research

07/01/2025

Ever read an old record and your heart just… stopped?

That name wasn’t just ink on paper. That was somebody’s everything. Somebody’s mother, brother, daughter, or Big Mama who held the whole family together.

I’ve been chasing names since 2005, but what I’m really chasing? Stories. The moments between the census years. The reasons behind the moves. The silences that speak louder than words.

If your roots touch Virginia or North Carolina soil, your people left footprints.👣

07/01/2025

Sometimes I stand in fields or drive through back roads in Virginia or North Carolina and feel it in my chest: They were here.

The hands that worked this land—some enslaved, some freed, some tenant, all powerful, left behind more than just names. They left us.
Researching my family line isn’t just a hobby. It’s resistance. It’s recovery. It’s reclaiming the stories nobody wrote down but everybody lived.

Been in the game since ‘05, and I’m still finding ancestors who refuse to be forgotten.

If your roots run Southern, we’ve probably got kin. Let’s talk about it.

07/01/2025

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03/29/2025

🧬✨ Important Update for 23andMe Users! ✨🧬

🤔Did you know that 23andMe recently experienced a data breach that exposed some customer information? If you’ve used their services, it's crucial to take steps to protect your personal data and privacy.

🔍 For guidance on securing your 23andMe account, visit their official support page here: https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us

🛡️ To learn how to protect your sensitive genetic and personal information after a data breach, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for expert advice: https://www.ftc.gov/data-breach-resources

Your DNA story is important — make sure it stays safe. Stay informed, take action, and continue exploring your amazing ancestry journey! 🌳💫

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

03/27/2025

💡 Did you know? Virginia “Jennie” Baker Sykes not only gave birth to 20 children but also worked as a midwife, guiding and assisting other families through childbirth. Her work as a midwife in the Black American community was invaluable during a time when such roles were crucial for health and survival. 🌱👶

This makes her story even more extraordinary—how she balanced a life of nurturing, birthing, and raising children of her own, all while serving as a vital figure in her community. 🏠👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

Could you be related to Virginia "Jennie" Baker Sykes or her Sykes family from Deep Creek, Norfolk, VA? 🧐 If you think you might share this ancestor or want to dig into the records, I’d love to help you trace these roots together!

Let’s connect, share stories, and uncover more about the lives of our ancestors! 🌳

🌸👶📜

1900 United States Federal Census for Jennie Sykes
Norfolk, Virginia, Deep Creek District - 0035

03/27/2025

Exciting News!

I’ve been deep in the archives, digging through old census records, military files, family stories, and even DNA matches 🧬 — and now, I’m putting it all together ! 📖✨

It’s the untold story of Virginia (Jennie) Baker Sykes — a midwife, mother, wife, and healer who lived through some of the hardest times and left behind a powerful legacy.

Her story, along with her mother Williana Amanda Baker’s, is about survival, love, and strength through the history of Free People of Color, Indigenous Americans, and Black families in Virginia.

I can’t wait to share it with you all! This isn’t just a story — it’s a piece of American history we don’t hear enough about.

Coming soon… stay tuned!

I’ll be sharing sneak peeks, cool finds, and behind-the-scenes stuff as I wrap it up.

03/19/2025

🔍 DNA Mystery: How Am I Connected to M.L.? 🧬
I've been diving into my family history, and one connection has me puzzled—how exactly is M.L. related to me? We share 697 cM of DNA, which means we're closely related, but something about our family structure feels like a missing puzzle piece. 🧩

What the DNA Says
📌 697 cM shared across 22 segments – This points to a half-nephew or 1st cousin relationship.
📌 R.W. (my 1st cousin once removed or half 1st cousin) shares 747 cM with M.L. and is listed as his grandnephew or half-nephew—meaning M.L. is in the generation after mine.

Trying to Fit the Pieces Together
🧩 If M.L. were my 1st cousin, that would mean one of my parents and one of his parents were full siblings. But something doesn’t add up—either there's a big age gap between siblings, or an unknown detail in the family history.
🧩 If M.L. were my half-nephew, he would be the son of my half-sibling (someone I share only one parent with). This seems the most likely, but it still feels like there's a missing link.

What’s Missing?
Even though the half-nephew theory makes sense, something still feels off—could there be an unknown sibling, a hidden family connection, or a story no one has told yet? 🤔 If one of my half-siblings had a child at the right time, it would explain everything.

Genealogy is like a never-ending mystery, and every new DNA match leads to more questions! Time to dig deeper! 🕵🏽‍♂️✨

🌳

03/19/2025

🌿 Ancestry Tidbit: Indigenous History of Norfolk, Portsmouth, & Chesapeake 🌿

Long before English settlers arrived, the Chesapeake (Chesepian) people lived in what we now call Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, Virginia. As part of the Powhatan Confederacy, they built villages like Skicoak (near modern-day Norfolk) and Chesepioc (in the Chesapeake Bay area). 🏹🌊

📜 What Happened to the Chesapeake People?

According to William Strachey’s "The Historie of Travaile into Virginia Britannia" (1618), the Chesapeake people were wiped out before 1607—not by the English, but by Powhatan himself. He reportedly ordered their destruction after a prophecy warned that a nation from the Chesapeake Bay would rise up and overthrow him. Afterward, other Powhatan groups moved into their lands. (Virginia Places)

👤 Notable Indigenous Leaders & Villages in the Region:

Werowocomoco – The capital of Powhatan's empire, located along the York River, where he ruled over more than 30 tribes. This was also where his daughter, Motoaka (later known as Pocahontas), lived and where Englishman John Smith was brought in 1607. 🌾🏹
Kiskiack – A powerful Powhatan village near present-day Yorktown. The Kiskiack people played an important role in resisting English expansion during the early 1600s.

Whohomoco Robins ("Robin the Elder") – A Nansemond chief who played a key role in local tribal affairs during the early 1600s. The Nansemond people, who were also part of the Powhatan Confederacy, lived just west of the Chesapeake territory. 🏹

Japazaws (Japazous) – The chief of the Patawomeck tribe, who played a role in the events surrounding Motoaka (Pocahontas) in 1613. He reportedly agreed to help the English capture her in exchange for a copper kettle.

📜 Historical Record of Japazous...

According to Virginia, U.S., Colonial Records, 1607-1853, Japazous is documented as "an Indian Japazous" in a 1619 record related to the ship Triall, which provides additional insight into his presence and interactions during this critical period in history. ([Source: Bryant Family Tree, Virginia, U.S., Colonial Records, 1607-1853])

🌾✨ The history of the Chesapeake people may not be widely known, but their legacy is still present in the region today through archaeological studies, place names, and the descendants of Indigenous tribes who still call Virginia home.

📖 Want to learn more?
🔗 Chesapeake Bay Foundation
🔗 National Park Service
🔗 Virginia Places

🌳

02/21/2025

"Just unlocked Elite Status on Ancestry! Digging deep into my roots and uncovering incredible family history. The journey through generations has been at the very least…..jaw dropping! 🌲🧬

01/29/2025

Discover Your Heritage with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Historical Rolls

🌿 Uncover the Past with the BIA Rolls 🌿

Are you curious about your Native American or Alaska Native ancestry? The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) documented the identities of American Indians and Alaska Natives through comprehensive historical rolls. These rolls were meticulously compiled to identify members of federally recognized tribes and bands, including Freedmen, and are now a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in lineage and heritage.

You can find a lot of these valuable historical rolls at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Discover details like:

Names: Discover the names of your ancestors and relatives.
Tribal Affiliations: Learn about your tribal connections and heritage.
Ages & Family Relations: Gain insight into family dynamics and generations.
Residences: Find out where your ancestors lived and traveled, doesn't matter if you're a genealogy enthusiast or just starting your journey into your family's history.

Visit the NARA and start exploring your roots. 🌟

Feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested in tracing their Native American or Alaska Native ancestry! 📜✨



https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/rolls
Rolls

01/05/2025

📯Random tidbit alert: Take a look at this old newspaper gem from 1865! 📰✨ It's amazing to see how much has changed over the years, yet some things remain timeless. History is truly fascinating! Search… https://www.newspapers.com/go/marriages/
#1865

08/19/2024

🌟 Exciting Announcement: Introducing the Nansemond Indian Nation and Their Descendants! 🌟

Hello! We want to shine a light on the Nansemond Indian Nation, one of the first tribes, and their descendants.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the history, culture, and descendants of the Nansemond Indian Nation. Our team will be conducting thorough research and providing you with credible links and sources for those who wish to explore further and gain a deeper understanding.

Stay tuned for more updates and make sure to check our page regularly for new posts, articles, and resources. Let’s embrace this opportunity to learn, appreciate, and support our Indigenous American heritage together. 🌿🦅✨

🔗 https://nansemond.gov
🔗 https://nansemond.gov/tribal-history/