I was wondering how I can find records about my Great-Grandmother or Great-Greatgrandmother, Mariah Payne.

She was half Cherokee and Black. I never knew much about her. My family is white and she was a well kept secrect in our family.

The only one who mentioned her was my Grandfather, Harry Jackson, and all he said was that his Father didn't say too much about her. my Grandmother said she couldn't tell us anything because of the second wife Nora.

Grandmother died before I could get anymore from her. I know my Uncle Howard has one of the surnames, Ogden, for a middle name. Most of that part of my family is passed on and the ones who remain either don't know or won't remember.

A black friend of mine told me it was common for white men to hide marriages because they were not legal in most states back in the 1800's and early 1900's.

My cousin found this site and thought maybe we could get some hints on where to look for family from that side of my Grandfathers grandmother.

Please help me if you can. My cousin Deborah and I have been looking for any information we can get.

Thank you,
Dianna Craig aka Yaquimom@cox.net