# Theory on Melungeon Origins

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 11, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662 "2005-02-11T22:34:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662/1 "2005-02-11T22:34:06Z")

</div>

When I read [this article,](http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13931579&BRD=1613&PAG=461&dept_id=159368&rfi=6), I was reminded of [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=178221&highlight=Melungeon) started by **Mississippienne** when she was known as **Nichol\_storm**.

As the article details, the “most probable theory” derived from recent research is that the Melungeons are descended from sixteenth-century Portuguese and Spanish settlers in what is now South Carolina. Other probable contributors to the Melungeon line are Muslim sailors sent ashore on Roanoke Island by Sir Francis Drake (the term _Melungeon_ is said to derive from the Turkish _melun can_, which means “cursed soul” or “one abandoned by God”). Such tribes as the Cherokee, Creek, Catawba, and Pamunkey also figure in this fascinating and tragic story.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662/2 "2005-02-11T22:47:00Z")

</div>

Yes, I’ve heard that theory, too. I’ve pretty much given up on ever knowing the truth though, since it seems we’re always being used to “prove” someone else’s agenda – we’re black, we’re white, we’re indians, we’re not indians, we’re mixed race, we’re Martians. Every time new DNA or historical research is done, different experts put their own expert twists on it until you don’t know which side is up, down, or sideways.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662/3 "2012-05-25T14:44:00Z")

</div>

It appears that we now have the answer:

> **[71.006.pdf](https://jogg.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/71.006.pdf)**
>
> 2.74 MB

No evidence of Portuguese, Spanish, Roma, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Native American, or Turkish heritage.

Melungeons are the descendants of African/mixed African males and indentured servant Caucasian females.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theory-on-melungeon-origins/289662/4 "2012-05-25T14:58:51Z")

</div>

Well how about that.