Disya Who WEBE!
- The Gullah/Geechees came together to declare themselves as a nation on July 2, 2000 with international observers and media present.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation exist from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL. It encompasses all of the Sea Islands and thirty to thirty-five miles inland to the St. John’s River. On these islands, people from numerous African ethnic groups linked with indigenous Americans and created the unique Gullah language and traditions from which later came “Geechee.” The Gullah/Geechee people have been considered “a nation within a nation” from the time of chattel enslavement in the United States until they officially became an internationally recognized nation on July 2, 2000. At the time of their declaration as a nation, they confirmed the election of their first “head pun de boddee”-head of state and official spokesperson and queen mother. They elected Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com).
Queen Quet is the first elected Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation can be reached at
Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters
Post Office Box 1109
St. Helena Island SC 29920
(843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com
The Gullah/Geechee Nation Declaration states:
Mission
To preserve, protect, and promote our history, culture, language, and homeland and to institute and demand official recognition of the governance (minority) rights necessary to accomplish our mission to take care of our community through collective efforts which will provide a healthy environment, care for the well beings of each person, and economic empowerment.
Goals
As we are the authentic original Gullah/Geechee Nation with direct linkage to our ancestral legacy, we stand as custodians of Gullah/Geechee culture and protectors of our human rights. Henceforth, being the ONLY and TRUE keepers of the Gullah/ Geechee cultural legacy, upon us falls the responsibility to promote in an accurate and positive manner all aspects of Gullah/ Geechee culture by emanating knowledge and healing souls. This process is guided through the release of the full story of the foreparents of Gullah and Geechee ancestral souls and the wisdom of our elders.
WE intend to protect the development and construction of Gullah/Geechee culture through the establishment of appropriate institutions and law by the exercise of our human rights. Presently this is being achieved through and during conferences, workshops, festivals, and other celebrations of culture and the continuation of oral traditions, living history, crafts, skills, and reconnection to the soil. The establishment of this Constitution will guarantee the continuation by the exercise of our minority right to self-determination.
WE will link with organizations, other nations, and institutions that are contributing positively to the cultivation of our nation.insuring that those connections are carried out with dignity and honor.
In the tradition of our foreparents we will record in written form OURSTORY as a living testament to our Gullah/Geechee legacy. We will also broaden our continuum through the use of electronic and video and audio means of documentation. Through the exercise of our human rights, we will be the keepers of this material as we accept the responsibilities of defining ourselves and our ancestors.
WE will preserve, maintain, and reclaim ALL elements of our homeland which will FOREVER be our base of existence as we carry out these goals. With these goals in mind, Gullah/Geechee people take formal recognition of their nation and their human right to self-determination within the context of their minority governance rights, and thereby, the Gullah/Geechee Nation Wisdom Circle Council of Elders, by its hands, spirit and soul undertakes the task of creating and ratifying the first Constitution of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
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The Gullah/Geechee Nation Constitution is 21 pages long. It is the document of governing principles by which the Wisdom Circle Council of Elders and the Assembly of Representatives operated as the right and left hands of the Head-of-State.
Official flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation educates about the meaning of the national flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation:
In order to keep up with the latest information regarding the Gullah/Geechee Nation, please subscribe to our Gullah/Geechee Nation blog or click on the link below to access it, subscribe to our monthly international ezine “De Conch” by emailing the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com, watch Gullah/Geechee TV Nayshun Nyews and subscribe for FREE on YouTube, and tune in to Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio and subscribe for FREE on iTunes. All a disya gwine le hunnuh kno who webe fa tru an fa sho! Ef hunnuh wan buy Gullah/Geechee tings, den gwine ta de Gullah/Geechee Nation’s online store: www.gullahgeechee.ecwid.com or at www.gullahgeechee.biz fa support we!
Are Burris or Miles common surnames? My dad’s side is from SC & NC
Peace!
These names are not common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. You need to locate the exact counties in those states. They are likely inland counties. The culture is not the same on the coast as in the inland areas.
Blessings, I am searching for my ancestry. My parents last names were Davis on my father’s side. My mother’s side are Dicker and Anderson or Andersen. I was told by my mom we are Geechee. Please, help me to get some clarity on where I came from.
Peace!
These names are not common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. You need to locate the exact counties in those states. They are likely inland counties. The culture is not the same on the coast as in the inland areas.
Although I’m familiar with some of the history of the Gullah/Geechee Nation there is always so much more for me to learn. As I’ve done research on my family history and I was wondering if Hadley and Parker are common names within the nations?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Peace!
Parker is a name in Beaufort County, SC for sure!
Shalom, Queen,
I hope all is well and you are able to assist. I’m originally from Concord, NC but my family originated from South Carolina and Georgia (Great Falls, Chester County, Fort Lawn and Atlanta, Ga). Their names are Allen, Shaw, Mills, Smith, Ingram, and Bell. Are any of these tied to Gullah Geechee? I was told we have family that have a connection there. I’m doing more research. Any information would help.
Shalom Quita!
Those are all inland areas. However, many people from the Georgia coast migrated to Atlanta for work and college, etc. Allen is a name in the Gullah/Geechee Nation as is Smith and Bell but those names are also common amongst Black families across the country. You need to figure out the county in SC and let us know more details.
Hello, where can I learn Gullah?
Peace Tito!
You learn the language with family members and elders in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. There is a lot of incorrect information being sold as our language online.
Peace, honor and blessings to the Gullah/Geechee Nation. My family and I are researching our ancestry. My mother’s father name is Rainey and his birth certificate says he was born in Waccamaw, Georgetown. SC. We believe we are tied to first Rep. Joseph Rainey. My grandmother’s surname is Lester, born in Georgetown. My mom always said we are Geechee. We want to connect with family for the first time. Please help.
Peace Susan!
We were just in Georgetown! Have you visited? The family is likely to still be there. You should check with the SC Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC to trace more. We also hope you will attend the “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” which is a major reunion of all Gullah/Geechees on the last Saturday of July each year. You may meet family members there.
Peace to the GODS Peace to the EARTHS! My family is from Hancock County down in Mayfield GA the county courthouse was burned down and all records were destroyed. Is the Baker and/or Oliver names common within the tribes.
Peace Anwar!
The county that you named is inland and those surnames are not common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Unfortunately, many records burned over the generations.
Peace and Blessings,
Hello, I’ve been working on my family tree and though I myself am from Aiken, SC, it seems that my ancestors were from more southern counties alongside the Savannah river for each generation I go back as if they migrated here over time. One of my great grandmothers father was born in Chatham County, GA, and I’ve traced some ancestors back to Beaufort, Charleston, and Hampton counties as well as Wilmington, NC. Though I wanted to verify and see if the surnames of; Green, Grant, Robinson, Merritt, Youmans, Patterson, or Williams are names you might be familiar with? My family may be some generations removed and don’t really acknowledge the possibility of being Gullah/Geechee though sometimes I hear distinct words my family uses such as; “tote”, “cyaa” “E”, and nicknames they give us such as Cuhhdin(cousin) Cootuh. Which I think sound like they may come from the Gullah language
Anything Helps:)
Peace Dre!
Those are Gullah/Geechee words that your family has been using. The areas that you traced back to are all within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. We are familiar with all the counties that you mentioned as well as the surnames that you mentioned.
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh ya!
My Family name is Lockhart my Greatgrand Father come from that region is this a familiar name?
Peace Martha!
That is not a common surname here. Where exactly was your great grandfather from?
Hi! I’m doing some research on my grandmother’s family – the Waites and the Fraziers (sometimes spelling varies) of Johns Island. I’ll be in Charleston for the first time ever this Saturday, and it would be amazing to connect with folks who might know my family. They were on Johns Island for at least a few generations, but I’m not sure if they were Gullah/Geechee
The Fraziers are Gullah/Geechee and are still on Johns Island. Some are also on James Island. We hope you made the connection with them.
Good afternoon, I’m a little familiar with with the saying Geechie as my mom was born and raised on St. Helena Island with the last name Coles, however I was wondering because of the mixture of indigenious native living there do we have any information on the tribes that were located there?
Peace!
Please go to http://www.SaintHelenaGullahGeechee.com to learn more about the indigenous ancestry of St. Helena. Also, make sure to always spell “Geechee” without an i. Tenki Tenki!
Hello, my grandmother was from lady’s Island SC and she was a Heyward, is this a surname and is that area apart of the Gullah Geechee Nation? We also have Jenkins from the Charleston area as well.
Both of those names are very common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation due to the fact that there were enslavers with those surnames especially in Beaufort County.
Are they any Jenkins or Heyward that currently reside in the Geechie Nation? If so, where?
Hello,
Is Smiley a surname in the Gullah-Geechee Nation?
Peace Sunny!
We’ve heard that surname before but cannot confirm that it originated on the coast. Do you know the county and city that your family is from?
I have A question is McKenzie apart of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
We can’t say for sure. That is not a common surname here. Do you know where exactly they are from i.e. county and state?
My family is from murrells inlet, with the last name Alston, Goff and Smalls. Are we are apart of Gullah/ Geechee
If your family is of African descent with those last names from that part of Georgetown County and you can trace them back to the 1800s or prior, then it is highly likely that youa re Gullah/Geechee.
Hi,
Is Smiley a surname in the Gullah-Geechee Nation?
We actually have met a small family with that surname in Beaufort, SC.
Peace and blessing I have been doing my family’s genealogy and I’m wondering if these names ring a bell or have the geechee roots mccloud, Gillis, outlaw
Peace!
Those names don’t ring bells for us. However, someone else here may know them.
Hello I was told my Grandfather Edward Saunders was Gullah/Geeche and later moved to Charleston is that familiar surname
Yes it is. Check Charleston County, SC.
I grew up on the Low Land of James Island, SC. &?attended W. Gresham HS. Sone of the Saunders attended school with me. It’s been a while. So I don’t remover their first names. But the surname, Saunders was commonplace. Hope this helps.👍🏾
Hello, my family and I will be coming down for the Famlee Reunion. We plan to do research on our family roots in Georgetown. My grandfather’s last name is Rainey, from Waccamaw and my maternal grandmother is Lester from Georgetown. My mom always mentioned that we’re Geechee. Could you tell me if these names are familiar and common?
Blessings to you and all that you do for our ancestry,
Susan Shields Grant
Yes, the Rainey name is connect to Joseph Rainey from Georgetown. Tenki Tenki fa supportin Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day!
Hello. My Great grandmother is from SC her maiden name is Glasgow my Grandmother is also from SC and her last name is Martin are those familiar surnames?
Peace!
Those are not common names. WE have met a Martin family that was in Charleston, but we are not sure that they originated there. They may have migrated there.
Thank you. My great great grandmother surname is Ruff
Hello, I’ve been tracing my ancestry and my ancestors are from South Carolina. The map shows they were in Charleston, Saint Johns Moncks Corner, and Walterboro. I was wondering if my family surnames are familiar within the Gullah Geechee Nation? My closest family surnames are Snowden, Bradley, Lewis, Williams, Evans, Jones, Moore, Ball, Berry, Brooks, Burris, and Chappell
Peace!
Your family is from Johns Island not Saint Johns. All of these locations are in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Chappell of Dave Chapell’s family is not from this coast but from the midlands where the state capitol is-Columbia, SC. The Ball surname you can find a lot about in the book by Ed Ball entitled “Slaves in the Family.” There are Brooks in coastal Georgia but not familiar with that name in the Carolinas. Bradleys are in Beaufort County, SC for sure. Jones are in Yemassee in Beaufort County, SC for sure. Williams is an extremely common surname throughout the coast. Snowden is actually an entire community in Mt. Pleasant in Charleston County, SC. The other surnames-Burris and Berry are not common. We have seen these and the surname Evans amongst those that married people from other places and live on the coast now.
I hope that helps you in your search.
Peace,
Queen Quet
Hi my grandfathers last name is Burroughs is that surname familiar? Trying to understand my r families history. Thanks!
That is not a surname that we are familiar with.
There were/are Burroughs in Horry County (Myrtle Beach) but whether there’s any link to your family is going to take research. You might find some assistance or suggestions at the museum and/or library in Horry County. This is just a thought, nothing certain.
Are Riley and Fleming surnames common in the nation?
Thanks
We know those surnames but they are from folks that moved to the coast and didn’t originate here. Those names are not common here.
You may want to check into the founder of MC Riley School in Beaufort County to see if that is a relative of yours.
My Grand Mother is a Riley From St Helena Island, she was born in 1909 and her Mother was born Florence Riley born in 1878.
Hello,
Do you know of any Canfalls or Greens
There are a LOT of Greens here on the coast.
My paternal Grandmother’s (paternal) family name was Gay. It is said that they came from the Charleston area. I am trying to find a connection.
Peace!
The folks that we know that have the surname “Gay” are not of African descent here in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. You may want to go to the main Charleston Library on Calhoun Street into the SC Room and research that surname specifically in Charleston to see if you find your family links though.
I just found out who my biological father is through ancestry DNA and I’m related to the Johnson’s . It was said they are apart of the Gullah Geechee Nation.
My great great maternal grandparents on my paternal side was
Evelina Jenkins
B: 22 Nov 1922 Johns Island
& Samuel Johnson Sr
B: Wadmalaw Island, My Grandmother Hattie Johnson was their daughter.
Hello any information on the surname brown and heygoode?
Peace Kendra!
Brown is a very common surname. We also are familiar with “Haygood” or “Heygood” but that name is not very common here.
Peace famlee,
When talking about Gullah Geechee Nation should we be saying that webe indigenous? There’s a lot of confusion online about what it means to be Gullah/Geechee, should we be saying firmly that Gullah Gechee is indigenous community? I hope dis message finds you well 💛
Peace Frankie!
Yes, Gullah/Geechee culture is indigenous to North America because it originated as a culture in North America via the amalgamation of other culture traditions and languages.
Hello!
Are you familiar with the surname Mack?
Thank you
Peace Shaakima!
We are absolutely familiar with the surname “Mack!”
Hello I recently found out my Great Grandmother is from Charleston. My father always said we was Geechi but I didn’t know much about it. My grandmother last name was Haley. Does that sound familiar?
Peace Shica!
Was that a maiden name? We haven’t met folks in Charleston with that name. but Alex Haley did do research here.
I am so fascinated with your history. I was reading a book, Love,Alice, and it spoke of your people. So I researched and found this. I am so glad that you are a nation now. Look forward to learning more about your culture. I signed up for your blog.
Tenki Tenki fa hunnuh support Jan!
WeBe Blessed,
Hearing Stories From The Elders, Seniors & Military Vets that has served; knowledge passed down from generation to generation is powerful, especially natural & raw history & lots of lost history that never made the records or made the books…Some of the elders in our community 107, 103, some still in the 90s,80s,70s and still pushin; the stories are powerful.
Somethings they will talk about publicly and some things that are more sensitive to them based off first hand experiences they will not share or express to deeply, if they do, its very little..
Our Community has been around for hundreds of years & we still stand, hidden in plain sight, still fighting & have been left to defend ourselves, with very little to no help from the town we are in but not considered a part of, very little to no help from the county while we are always on the backend and no help from the state and now gentrification it’s slowly but surely taking place..
Many new developers are tryin to buy land but many of our community stick together and refuse to sell property passed down from generation to generation and keep all the paperwork and deeds up to date…
The Major Stopped By a few weeks ago during political season for support but seems like that’s the only time politicians and lawyers and council come around and talk a good game but never follow through..
It’s a battle fighting the town and the county, in the meetings but we can’t stop and have all our documentation to help fight the lies and lawyers, politics and out of town developers with big time money trying to develop historical land…
We once was an all black community until a few sold land to those on the outside, without understanding the history or value of their land from the ancestors and elders hard labor and work..
We Love you All & Thanks Queen Quet & The Gullah Geechee Nation for all that you did, doing and will continue to do…Many of our families have been broken up, separated, migrated and scattered all over the place but slowly connecting with one another throughout the years..
Grind Don’t Stop…
Here are some of the Tribes of our “Kitfield’ Family-Community-Village:
-McKelvey
-Legree
-Brown
-Simmons
-Richardson
-White
-Bartley
-Washington
-Green
-VanHayne or Vanhains
-Palmer
-Weiters
-Heyward
-Major
-Ford
-Ravenell
-Manigaults
-Fennick
-Vandergraph
YESSSS! “Grind don’t sleep”
Might I add, “STAND! Don’t weep!”
Tenki Tenki fa disya and fa hunnuh support ya!
Peace,
Queen Quet
Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
My family is from McIntosh, Co Darien, Ga is Givens a surname?
Peace Antonio!
Although that is not a common surname here, Macintosh and Darien are within the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello, I was drawn here after having an ancestral reading. I have been on a desperate search to connect with my people. Both of my grandparents roots are in South Carolina. Bamberg, Reevesville and Orangeburg (Dorchester County) Growing up everyone use to laugh at my grandfather because of the way he talked ( no one knows outside of my family understands what he’s saying). That’s when I first heard the term Geechee. He’s never mentioned being Geechee and honestly all that I know now is from my own research. The surnames we have are Green, Williams, and Reeves. I was told I come from a family of natural healers, we healed through cooking and herbal methods, also she mentioned rice farmers. I’d truly appreciate any info you may have to further my research. Much Love
Peace Takema!
Many folks in Dorchester County migrated from the coast. The surnames that you mentioned are vary common all over South Carolina. You should check with the SC Department of Archives and History as well as the Dorchester County for more information on the surnames.
Hello! Have been following the Gullah Geechee Nation off and on for some time in an effort to determine if family has any further roots there in Monks Corner. Are there still any or have there been any Wineglass, Sthokes/Strothers (spelling most likely incorrect), Berry’s or Colemans connected to and/or living among the Gullah Geechee Nation?
Peace!
Yes, Elder Lesa Wineglass-Smalls is a leader of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Dr. Jessica Berry is from the Huger, SC area not too far from Moncks Corner. There are Colemans throughout the SC coast also. If you are asking about “Stokes,” we know of a family from the Walterboro area. Moncks Corner is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation for sure.
Hi, I think that my sons dad was a gullah. His name was Bobby Montgomery. He lived with his mother. Thank you in advance.
Peace and love to everyone. My name is Maryam Foye. My family is Foy(e) from The coast of North Carolina. We were land owners in and around Wilmington, NC and had land adjacent to Poplar Grove and beyond. My family’s death records have been published by the Poplar Grove museum and the Gullah Geechee Corridor and we have been told we are Gullah people. I am trying to reconnect with my ancestry and wonder where I can learn more about my family lineage as Gullah people. I am also a York and Quick. I spend a lot of time in Senegal and I have learned about the name Faye and am often told we are of the same. I am also a theater maker whose practice centers archiving oral histories, I would love to support any needs the community may have.
Where are the best places for me to do my own research? Thank you for your help and wisdom. May you be blessed for all you do to maintain our history.
Peace!
It appears that you have already done your research. If you obtain the documents from Popular Grove, you should continue tracing the migration after displacement from or sale of the land via the deeds and oral histories of older family members.
If you are seeking to connect with native Gullah/Geechees, we generally support at least one event in the Wilmington/Eagle Island area per year. You can also attend the annual “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” to see if you unite with anyone that you are kin to at that event.
Hi I just found out I have ancestry from johns island and the surname is Roberson is a that common name?
That’s not a common name. However, Johns Island is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello,
Do you know of Wise or Tift in Georgia?
No.
Hello,
Are Heyward and Jamison surnames common in the nation? I’m from moncks corner btw
Heyward is.
Peace and thank you. I have ancestry from Barnwell South Carolina with the last names of Kearse,Gadson,Bishop,Collins are any of these found amongst the coast?
Gadson is a name that we recognize on the SC coast. Kearse is a bit further inland and is not common. Collins is on the GA coast.
Is moncks corner gullah geechee too ?
Yes, it is.
Good evening, my grandparents are from Wadmalaw, SC there names are Regina and Rufus Peterson. My church in NJ doing a black history program and I’m trying to find videos of guallah songs to present can you help me with this
Peace!
You can go to YouTube and find what you are looking for. A number of things were recorded on Johns Island many years ago in fact.
I got a ?, With the lowcountry growing at a rapid rate and some areas busting at the seams with overdevelopment along with the influx of people at what point does any of these organizations here start taking actions to preserve land or prevent the loss of land that is crucial to Gullah folks? The beauty of this rural lowcountry is being gobble up by the rich and greedy, even our graveyards is being encroached on by development. Speeches without a firm plan of action is wasted words spoken to the deaf.Our culture comes from the land without it we are just renters with the lease expiring soon. It pains me that the only place that We can stand to view the beauty of the ocean or creeks is from a public place and not our own back yard? Hilton Head we are headed that way fast because all leaders elected or self appointed only have rhetoric for the cause.
Peace!
Apparently, you are new to our work. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has taken the lead on planning and educating regarding land retention. However, many in the areas that you have mentioned refused to take heed to the lessons and bought into the American practice of selling land and as they sought to avoid living Gullah/Geechee traditions which include owning land and using certain land patterns. So, the places that you hear about are those that can be dramatized in the news as places of “loss.” Stories of retaining land don’t get as much coverage. Nonetheless, our track record speaks for itself and folks that are part of the plan are holding onto and obtaining more land.
How about the name of Furtick from Moncks Corner?
Moncks Corner is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. That surname is not very common but we’ve heard of it.
Good afternoon, i was wondering how far the gullah geechee culture spreaded inland, my family we are from florence, sc but i also have family that is from a town called eutawville in the bottom southeast corner of orangburg county sc
Peace!
35 miles inland is our boarder. Most of the Black folks in Florence are Gullah/Geechee too but not all of them. Orangeburg is not within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Folks from the coast did migrate there and still do for the HBCUs primarily
Peace and power to whomever reading, are the surnames Bishop, Collins, Kearse, Gadson familiar along the coast?
Gadson is a familiar surname on the coast.
Peace and Power to whomever reads this, are the last names Bishop, Kearse, Collins or Gadson found amongst the nation?
Peace!
Yes, Gadson is a common name. Kearse we have heard in Colleton County, SC. Collins we have heard of in Glynn County, GA.
Hi, blessings
If Gullah Geechee is low country SC. How come you say Orangeburg isn’t Gullah Geechee, when it’s labeled as part of the low country on many maps and on the South Carolina Government website, Orangeburg is listed as being part of the low country
Peace!
The boundary of the Gullah/Geechee Nation ends 30-35 miles inland. We always state that.
Orangeburg is NOT in the Lowcountry. It is part of the Midlands. See this:
The Midlands area of South Carolina includes at least these eight counties:
Calhoun
Fairfield
Kershaw
Lexington
Orangeburg
Richland
Saluda
Sumter
Thank you for the rapid response which is much appreciated. I’m still in great hopes that you’re able to assist me with the following surnames of my family from different parts of South Carolina.
Paternal grandfather HUDSON
Paternal grandmother COHEN or COEN I was told that some couldn’t spell so there are two versions.
Maternal grandfather COLLIER
Maternal grandmother HELMS
Thank you
Kennice
There are some Cohens on the SC coast. However, your family is from Greenville, SC which is not in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The culture is different.
How bout rawls or coley or Lehman
Not familiar with any of those surnames here.
Hello, I need help locating my long lost family in South Carolina. Apparently my great Grandma was full Gullah creole. She had 12 other siblings (I have all of their names as well). I was told that her ancestry is all documented on one of the islands in South Carolina. I’ve done as much family research as I can from talking to relatives and looking tracing back documents back to the late 1860s. All communication stopped after my grandpa passed. Someone please reach out to me.
Peace!
If you have spoken to family, they should have told you specifically where they were from. You should visit that particular island and speak to the family members there. That would be the best guidance for you to connect.
My relatives (grandpa and great aunt) who had direct contact with South Carolina family members have passed. However, my great grandma surname was McCray. Are you familiar with that surname in the Gullah community? Maybe that can give me some answers.