My grandmother was told her great grandmother was full blood Cherokee. It seems every family has been told that. Trying to find if there is any truth to that Martha “Marthy” Ann Workman born approx 1846 in Missouri married to James B. Turner also from Missouri and then moved to Arkansas. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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There were no full blood communities or family clusters living in Missouri in 1846. So, the chances of an individual being born in that time and place, and being a fullblood Native American or Cherokee, are very slim. That is just the historical context and demographic reality.
But, she is also found in records that seem to confirm her lineage. This also does not show a Cherokee link.
Her parents were Isaac Workman Jr., born in Ohio in 1815, and Eliza Ann Turley, born in Indiana in 1815.
She can be found living with her parents in Greene, Missouri in 1850 and 1860. You can also find her in the 1870 and 18800 Census married to James Turner (in, the latter, she lists her parents places of birth as Ohio and Indiana).
This family was from standard White roots.