If my great-great-grandmother is 100% Native-American, does that make me 1/16 Native American?

[Anonymous]

I know that GAG is a girl-ask-guy and vice versa related website, but I'm not on any other Q&A website and figured I might as well ask this question on here :)

My maternal grandfather's deceased grandmother was 100% Native American. She married and had her kids with a black man. My maternal grandmother had an uncle who was 100% Native American, as well.

Other than that, the details I have about just how extensive my Native American history is is vague. Both my mother and father have Native American relatives but I don't know any details about my father's ancestry. I do know that there are quite a few Native Americans on both my maternal grandmother and grandfather's side, but the two mentioned above are the main ones they talk about/have actually given me details about.

I would like to learn more about my Native American ancestry and am going to start asking my grandparents and father for more information about it, but for now, this is the only information I can give you.

I ask this question because I was looking up how to calculate your Native American percentage online, and came across a website that said if your great-great-grandparent is 100% Native American, that makes you 1/16 Native American. Is that true?

Updates

+1 y

Also, if any of you have Native American ancestry, how did you go about learning more about your Native American roots?

[ZettaiX]

I can tell you from experience, real native people don't judge people by blood %. That's a really antiquated way of thinking about heritage. Everyone I know thinks about it in terms of culture including people on and off reservations. What you have done to learn about the culture, carry on our traditions, languages, etc., that's how they look at it.

I grew up with a grandfather that was native full blooded, Tuscaroran. We kept some words and phrases alive as a family, like I love you, in the native skarure language. Later when I grew up, I purposely chose a college with native heritage and ancestry programs (FSU).

You should seek out your ancestry. I would caution that it can be difficult, especially periods before the civil war. Many of our native names were changed and there weren't records like there were for many immigrants to America. Regardless, it's worth the effort. Best of luck.

[Asker]

I feel like my having knowledge about how many and which ancestors of mine are Native American is about as deep as I'm going to be able to get into the culture, which is discouraging. My family simply isn't into culture. I feel like it's a waste, having Native American ancestry and not taking the time to truly learn about it, but the rest of my family doesn't seem to feel the same. I wish that there was someone in my family like your grandfather who could teach me about our Native American culture, but there isn't :/ I guess my great-great-grandmother didn't do a good job of passing her heritage down.

[ZettaiX]

I would still try and get as much info as you can if you're interested. If you can figure out the tribe then you can usually learn plenty about the culture; clans, creation story (how they believe the world was created), language, etc.

[funkipunk]

Yes, if your great great grandparent is 100% Native American, that means you have AT LEAST that much Native American ancestry.

Since you do not know what other Native American ancestors you likely have, you cannot figure out exactly what percentage of Native American ancestry you have. You have to know what relatives or ancestors of yours are of what ethnicity to accurately calculate your ancestral heritage percentages.

[lanternhill]

Should be, yes.
Parent: 1/2
Grandparent: 1/4
Great-grandparent: 1/8
G-g-grandparent: 1/16

My ancestor was Native American but I think she was like my g-x-5 or -6 grandmother so I'm like <1% Native American as far as I know. Not sure which tribe either.

[knotme]

thats too much math for me. I will have to calculate

[knotme]

It sounds about right, but the uncle how many generations removed was he. I dont know too many variables

[Bratsondanielle]

I guess you are a percentage indian but it doesn't matter cuz we are all people and all equal. If I were you I'd enjoy my American life and privilege in the greatest country in the world and not think so much about which tent your great great great grandfather chief thunderstorm lived in cuz y would you care?

[yaddayaddayadda02]

Assuming no one else in your direct like has any part NA, yes you are 1/16. Gather all the information you can hpnow while your grandparents are alive. Think about starting an Ancestry.com family tree.

[Asker]

So if I discover more Native Americans in my line, will that affect what percentage I am considered to be? I thought your percentage was only affected by your parents/grandparents/great-grandparents/etc.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

Right. Think of it this way. If you mom is 100%, your dad was 50%, you'd be more than 50%