I read an article about Turkish boat oarsman who intermarried with Blacks and Irish. According to the article, Abe Lincoln and Elvis Presley we both from this combination background. I am sure that I misspelled the word, and for that I apologize. Does anyone have any information about this? Thanks
… is the word you are looking for. They are a “race” found in appalachia. There is a very good book entitled Melungeons- The Resurrection of a Proud People, by Dr. Brent Kennedy that has great info on these people. haven’t heard of the Elvis or Lincoln connections though.
He quotes: Perhaps Nancy Hanks, the mother of Abraham Lincoln, was Melungeon. it somehow seems fitting that one of America’s greatest Presidents should be of mixed race and probably Muslim heritage. But who are the Melungeons?
Can be found at the following web site:
http://salam.muslimsonline.com/~azahoor/untold1.htmThe Wall Street Journal that first got me interested in the Melungeons is here. Blood samples are consistent with the idea that the people are mainly of Mediterranean ancestry. However, some historians believe they are descended from British, Indian, and African ancestors. Full-scale genetic testing has apparently not been done.
See also A Melungeon homepage, which seems to associate with Dr. Kennedy and his theories.