Melody K. Porter
- Fear Of Citing - Posted 09.01.10
- Source Citation: A Genealogist's Best Friend - Posted 09.01.10
Melody Porter has been researching her genealogy for 20 years. Escaping to Thomasville, Georgia, she is pursuing genealogy as a researcher, lecturer and genealogy writer. Melody specializes in Florida, Georgia and Native American research. Proud to be a both Cherokee and Choctaw, Melody is a voting member of the Western Cherokee Tribe in Oklahoma.
As past Secretary/Pioneer Reviewer of the Florida State Genealogical Society (FSGS), Melody has substantial experience in Florida research. Melody is now an officer for the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE). She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), Georgia Chapter, and the National Genealogical Society. As Treasurer and Seminar Chair for the Tallahassee Genealogical Society, Melody coordinates the annual seminar. As the incoming Registrar of the Thomasville, Georgia Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), passion is the description of Melody’s feeling for everything genealogical.
Favorite Genealogy Quote
What are your specific genealogical interests?
Because of my family background, I am particularly interested in Native American genealogy, but being from the south, I am fascinated by the genealogy related to southerners and the Civil War. This includes African American genealogy, but also English, Irish and Scottish families that came to this country and settled.
What got you into genealogy?
My husband is a techy and in the mid 1980s, he had a video camera and we used it to interview my grandparents. This is a wonderful thing for me to have to this day, but it was the first time that I had documentation on the stories that they told about being Cherokee and Choctaw. They are gone now, but I have been able to prove my Indian blood and join the Western Cherokee Tribe in Oklahoma. After that I was hooked and still love it.
Most surprising genealogical find:
Recently I was doing some research on my husband's family and found something very surprising and exciting. My family is from Oklahoma and Texas, but my husband’s is from the east. However, his great grandfather went to Texas, married there and brought his wife back to North Carolina. Through his great grandmother's ancestors, it appears that my husband may be eligible for the Sons of Texas. This has been a great source of pride to him and to tease my family about his illustrious Texas ancestors!
If you could find the family history of any historical great, who would it be and why?
I am also very interested in English/French royal history and would love to know more about Isabella of France who married Edward II and then deposed him and his lover with the help of her lover so her son could take the throne. What an interesting story and a fascinating woman...
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