Month: September 2011

Rex Allen 2/5/49 – 9/15/10 with my Mother Nancy (Gilbert)

Taken 1966 just before I was born~

 

Today has been hard for me – a year ago today he passed away~

My Dad was a hard man –

had a strong personality –

But he was always there for me –

I knew my Dad could fix anything –

no matter the situation ~

I knew he loved me in his own way

even thou he wasn’t much on affection~

He taught me to stand on my own 2 feet~

He taught me to have strength in any circumstance~

He taught me to be a survivor~

He taught me to believe in myself~

He taught me the real meaning of family

He is missed – but know he is with my Ancestors~

All this is because of him and a request –

My research has changed me – humbled me~

With that I’m forever grateful~

I not only mourn my father today –

I mourn for all that have gone before me~

I only hope to honor them and the man I call Father~

I have finally got this blog set up the way I want it

I want to explain what it is about?

I’m not much on writing –

one of those misfortunes that had to work at an early age

plus support children instead of getting a proper education –

did a lot of online schools and such – have always had a computer –

I am the era of computers – I just love the internet!!

One of MSN’s oldest members ~

I’m street smart thou – I’ve lived thru it all – it was a hard road  but wouldn’t change a minute of my life –

made me the person I am today – it made me who I am – and why I’m here~

Genealogy has become a passion –  I JUST LOVE IT !

Abt 19 years ago my father asked only one thing of me -find our Native American roots~

To be who I am on this earth at this moment is amazing to me~It has humbled me~

My ancestors are the Native Americans of this United States of America –

have proof of over 30,000+ years of existence living on these soils~

I’m coming from the Grand Sachems of the New England Indians –

The Narragansett, The Mohegan, The Pequot blood runs thur my veins~

I’m not affiliated with any tribe –

to become one of my own people….. Join a tribe……

I have to have my family be on some tribal Roll in the late 1800’s

or a open tribal roll (which at this time they are all closed diffidently)

I’ve had doors closed and emails sent back

(with please don’t send again attached)

Yet I’m Native American~

I’ve got 19 years of research, documents and proof to say I am~

I am proud to be Native American –

and I have been chosen to tell their story~

Fortunately my Chagum Ancestors have been written about all thur the years

starting at the beginning of immigration to this country.

I’ve been able to piece their story together – book by book by record.

I’ve not asked of anything from anyone-

I’ve not taken one dime for this research –

Spent thousands doing it thou – and will continue to do it I believe til my last days~

I only ask to record my journeys and to tell the story of my family – that is it~

With that I’m sharing with the world my experiences – On this blog~

This journey isn’t about money for me -this journey isn’t about how big the casinos are~

This journey is about my Ancestors and how I became -The blood that runs thur my veins~

I’ve got all my research book here – have tons and tons of more work to do on them –

will always be an updating thing but the bases is done~

You can find all my videos of my trips here – along with all I’m doing in this research~

Searching Native American Roots is hard -many road blocks –

but it can be done~

Native American means to me – family~

An Ever Widening Circle of family~

Coni

By the Barkhamsted Historical Society Newspaper

www.barkhamstedhistory.org

Pg 7 there is a photo of Doug Roberts and I and it reads:

Coni Dubois discusses her research on James and Molly Chaugham and their descendants with town historian Doug Roberts at Squires Tavern on July 3. Coni, visiting from Louisiana, has done extensive research on the Lighthouse Tribe genealogy. She is a ninth-generation descendant of James and Molly. For more information, or to reach Coni, visit her Facebook page at “Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village”

Talk with Coni at the annual meeting September 10th at the tavern.

Signs along trail telltale of forgotten village in Barkhamsted

Published on: Sept 11, 2011

By: Alec Johnson / Republican-American (Waterbury Ct)

,

Coni Allen Dubois of Louisiana, a descendant of the Lighthouse Tribe that formerly called the People’s Sate Forest in Barkhamsted their home on Saturday unveils one of six new signs installed along a trail telling her ancestor’s history.  Alec Johnson / Republican-American

BARKHAMSTED — A little village deep in the woods of People’s State Forest that was abandoned in 1860 is back in the minds of local residents and descendants of the Native Americans who once called the land off East River Road home.
On Saturday, more than 50 people huddled around a trail as a sign telling the story of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village was unveiled from beneath a green tarp by Lighthouse Tribe descendant Coni Allen Dubois.
Dubois, who traveled from Louisiana, and six other descendants of James Chaughum came from across the country for the day.
Chaughum, a member of the Narragansett tribe, and his wife, Molly, an Irish immigrant, settled there around 1740 after being cast away from society because of their relationship.
Six signs tell the story of the village. There is a burial ground, a foundation of a former cabin, stone quarry, grind stone and charcoal kilns (mounds where charcoal that fueled foundries in Litchfield County was made) along a trail that winds up Ragged Mountain.
Kenneth L. Feder, an archaeologist and professor at Central Connecticut State University, since 1985 has studied artifacts and history of the village lived in by Chaughum and his eight children.
Feder said that over his years of studying the area he found it troubling that so few people knew the history of the village. People had no idea there had been a thriving village here with 100 or 150 people, he said. “People have lost the connection to this.”
The signs, sponsored by the Barkhamsted Historical Society were installed over the summer to teach hikers about the forgotten village.
“This story will never be forgotten and it will never die,” Feder said. “The work has resulted in a permanent memorial to the folks who lived here.”
Dubois began studying her family history 19 years ago at the request of her father. The family knew they were descendants of Native Americans, but over the years the history became muddled. Dubois’ studies led her to Barkhamsted years ago and she has returned several times since. Having the signs and accurate history to inform the public of her ancestors, she said was “amazing.”
During earlier visits she found evidence of campfires in the burial ground. “Now people will have more respect for the area and more love for the people that were here,” she said.
Dubois’ sister, Tonia Allen Gould of California, said that at one time historians believed the families that lived in the village had died out, when there are actually thousands of descendants alive.
“It is an amazing tribute to the Lighthouse Indian village ancestors, words can’t express how we feel about that.”

From: http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2011/09/11/news/local/584081.txt

Note from Coni: I have to make one correction: My sister had stated there are thousands of living descendants which is incorrect – I believe she was referring to the 19,000 people that I’ve researched and have on my genealogy file that are on both sided of my family (Mother & Fathers)

I would give a ruff estimate of a few hundred living (everyday finding more and more thou).

Just wanted to give an update – been super busy researching – I’ve updated the Chagum Native American Genealogy Research book along with the Sowheag one – I’ve also added 2 new research books – Tashtussuck & Ninegret Native American Genealogy Research book’s in my link above under Research books – I’ve made the connection to the Narragansett’s and Charlestown Rhode Island Indians.

I will be attending the Unveiling the Barkhamsted Trail on Sept 10th and have been asked to speak at this event! (reason for updated versions)