Melungeons: Possibly Portuguese

Keywords: Melungeon, Appalacian

The Story: Many theories surround the origins of the "lost people of Appalacia", a.k.a the Melungeons. The Melungeons are a group of copper-skinned people with proper English names. They commonly spoke Elizabethan english, and called themselves "Portyghee", (or Portuguese). Interestingly, at least two theories hinge on this group of people being abandoned (by the Spanish) or stranded (by Sir Francis Drake of England, or the Welsh explorer, Modoc). Confused yet? Some claim that the Melungeons are a lost tribe of Israel. Linguistically, and genetically, the Melungeons seem to be linked closest to the Turks. Some claim they are a tri-racial group of with west African, Native American and European roots. Indeed, the theories alone are mind boggling. That aside, alleged descendents of the Melungeons include, among others, Elvis. (Who else?) Why are there so many theories about these people?

Additional Reading:
http://www.melungeons.com/
http://www.colorado.edu/iec/FALL299RW/can.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf/malangu.htm

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