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!
Good afternoon, I’m preparing my lineage with information about our ancestors migration from South Carolina to the Mississippi river in Tennessee for work picking cotton and loading bails on the barges. Are you familiar with the Shaw surname? Any information is greatly appreciated.
The name Shaw was that of a white Union general. We are not familiar with Gullah/Geechee people with that surname.
Peace,
I’ve done some research on my family roots and discovered that two of my ancestors lived on Johns Island. Is the surname Wright common in the Gullah/Geechee nation?
Peace!
We wouldn’t say it is “common.” However, there are some Wrights on the coast. The surname actually came with folks who moved to the coast in the case we are thinking of though.
My people are the Hiltons and Robinsons from Charleston SC, all the way back up to kingstree Williamsburg county. The greater amount of us live out side Savannah Georgia
Hello! I just visited American Beach and was shocked to see BOTH my parents surnames there ( Means and Cole). Means …my paternal line is from Whitmire, Newberry, Beaufort, SC. A long line of strong land owning men. My mother’s family, Cole, is from Virginia and I’ve traced my maternal DNA to Balanta people in Guinea-Bissau originally from Senegal. I’m pretty sure that the Gabriel Means from Franklintown and other folks there were some kin to my father. I’m heading back soon to dig the archives but I’m also going to SC to check out the will that my 3 times Great Grandfather, William Means was mentioned in of the SC Governor John Hugh Means. Where could I start in the Gullah archives to find family traces too?.
Peace!
Our archive is being digitized and is not open to the public for research due to this. We highly recommend checking on records at the SC Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC for more info on your family.
Peace,
I’m looking to reconnect with my South Carolina family and there are clues in my research that have me wondering if we’re from the Gullah/Geechee Nation. My family was brought to Mississippi from Georgetown, South Carolina by theil enslavers, the Potts and Miller family. Is Miller a common Gullah/Geechee surname in Georgetown or Williamsburg County?
Miller is a common name throughout the SC coast actually.
Hello are the last names Isaac , Greene or Green, reed, Neal , black , Darby, Johnson , or stokes common in the corridor my ppl are from Eutawville, Holly hill , Elloree, Fort motte, Santee, and Orangeburg
Peace Angeliqou!
Gullah/Geechees are throughout the world. However, all nations have established boundaries. Many of the areas that you have listed are placed that folks migrated to from our coast. The surnames that you mentioned are all names that are in various parts of South Carolina. Green and Johnson are common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation but they are also simply common Black surnames.
Good evening, my Great Grandmother Clara Kearney was from Colleton County
Good ednin!
Is Venning a surname in the Gullah Geechee Nation? Are there any Vennings or Gadsdens on the island? My great grandmother was a Gadsden from St Helena Island.
Hi! My great grandfather’s name was R.T. (Sam) Shipmon, and he was Geechee. Is the surname Shipmon common? Also, I just want to say thank you for your content. It has been so helpful with learning about my ancestors. I hope to one day be able to learn the language 🙂
Peace Haleigh!
Tenki Tenki a hunnuh wods ya! We are glad that this has been helpful to you.
We do not know the name “Shipmon,” but we know “Shipman” from Beaufort County, SC. Do you have a state and county that RT was from?
My grandfather says his people come from Pawley’s Island, off the Litchfield Plantation. Are there any Gullahs with the last name Tucker?
Peace Dominique!
Although we are not familiar with that surname, we know that Gullah/Geechees occupied Litchfield in Georgetown, SC and many were displaced from the land there.
I’ve been trying to learn more about my family’s history. My grandmother (still living) was born in Charleston, SC and says our family is from James Island. Her maiden last name is Ravnell. I would like to come visit. I believe we still have family on James Island.
Peace Omaya!
You should come to “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” and then visit James Island. There are still many Ravenels in Charleston County that are Gullah/Geechee and non-Gullah/Geechee.
i’ve been on an ancestry trace for some months now and i recently did the african ancestry test and it confirmed my maternal line originated from the mende tribe of sierra leone. do you know of any surnames of johnson, timmons, robinson, welch, nelson, graham, hemingway, williams, kirton/curtain, or drayton? as far as i know my family is from florence and horry county.
I’m looking to connect with The Jackson family that had some
members move to Cedartown Georgia. My mother was born in
Cedartown, but her parents/grandparents lived is SC. My uncle
told me they were Gullah/Geechee. How do i go about finding
any of them. Any insight?
Have you actually looked up that surname in that town and reached out by phone? They may actually still be there and older folks will still have ground line phones.
Is the Bethea Family known in the Gullah Geechee community ?
No.
Hey,
Are Heyward and Jamison surnames common in the nation? I’m from moncks corner btw
Do you have surnames like Lewis,Wright,Smith,Brantley in the areas your located?
I’m a Jamison but I’m still trying to locate all the information on my family. I’m also a Major too but that’s even more difficult to find.
Peace Felix!
Majors are abundant in certain areas and we know Jamisons as well. You would need to provide the state and county that you are seeking to connect to.
Thank u for giving us this platform to connect. I have last names Brooks, Hope, Dulaney, Farrior associated with me. I wanted to know if those names sound familiar. All from NC SC and DC
I have met one person with Brooks in coastal Georgia. Dulaney that worked here was from Texas. I would check the inland areas of NC and SC for those surnames.
My name is Brenda Lee Johnson. I’m interested in finding out any information on my dad. His name is Bennie Lee Johnson. I was born in Walterboro SC. Thank you.
Peace Brenda!
Have you dialogued with elders in Walterboro? They will likely be the best source of information.
Surname wright
My GGG Grandmother was a Free Mulatto woman from near Beaufort SC , her name was Naomy Bunch , is that a Gullah name? We were always told she was a Gullah Geechee..
Peace Sandra!
We aren’t familiar with that surname.
Rivers Hill Rd, SC in Grays, SC. I am a Rivers and we hold a family reunion down there every year. My great grand on my mother’s side was Loumisher Rivers, her mother Ella Jenkins(?) I would live if there were any websites, books or places I could go to see the recorded genealogies of our people. Peace!💚💚💚
Peace Keyra!
There are some websites and books. You should come to “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” to connect: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1288366180929?aff=oddtdtcreator
I appreciate the platform the fam has created here. Checking in on the last names Black, Bowers, Pickney (Paternal) from Yemassee and Doe, Singleton from Allendale and Beaufort. Any of those sound familia to the Nation?
Peace C!
Hunnuh already kno hunnuh got fam up een ya! Gladdee fa yeddi from Yemassee and Beaufort Fam fa sho!
We are not familiar with “Pickney” and Bowers but we are family with the other surnames. Many from Allendale migrated to Beaufort County and to the coast for agricultural work over the decades.
Williams and Greene are those surnames common ?
Peace Tray!
Both of those are very common “Black” family surnames. So, we need to know more information about the state and county that your family originates from.
Thank you for all that you are doing for sharing knowledge and connecting our people. A few of the last names for my family are Taylors Spring town/Walterboro, Chestnuts Walterboro and Browns/Wilsons from Yemassee. Our family cemetery is located on Mackay Point Plantation – Pocotaligo.
Gladdee fa Yeddi frum Hunnuh Brudda Keron!
Tenki Tenki fa hunnuh support!
@Keron, Do you know if any of your Browns were in Chester County? Looking for Shelton Brown born 1833 SC.
Hello!
I hope you are having a wonderful day! I had a few questions regarding my ancestry journey. Growing up, I never had the opportunity to meet any of my ancestors on my dad’s side, and it seems my whole life I have been searching for stories and histories to fill that missing piece of me. I have spent years trying to fill in the gaps, and the furthest backward I have managed to go is my great great great grandmother, Ellen Lenore Clark, who was enslaved in Brunswick near St. Simons Island (born 1829). She worked at Ocean Lodge, and was at one point owned by Anne Catherine Petigrew Clark Moore. I discovered my dad’s entire family lived in the Brunswick area and that almost everyone is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. My dad used to visit Brunswick every summer and had a family reunion on Jekyll Island, where ancestral stories where told (he was too little to remember much). I have been researching the Gullah/Geechee nation, as I was curious if I might be a descendant? The dominant surnames in my family are Clark, Moore, Bryan(t), and Minor. Are there any resources you suggest I look into? I hope to bring my whole family down to the islands to reconnect with our roots one day! Thank you so much for all of your incredible work and for the continued preservation of the most beautiful culture. Have a blessed day!
Peace Kennedy!
Brunswick is DEFINITELY a Gullah/Geechee area!
You should bring your family to “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” to reconnect with our folks: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1288366180929?aff=oddtdtcreator
My maternal great grandparents were Dinkins and Dennis (connected to the Chappelle family) and lived in Morristown and Ocala, FL. Any connections
Peace Angel!
The connections to the Chappelle are inland. Check in Columbia, SC and the midlands of SC for further information in that regard.
Hello, can you please tell me if the surname “Addison” is known within the Gullah Geechee community? Thank you very much!
Peace Sarah!
That surname is not common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello, I am from Mississippi, but i just found out that an ancestor of mine was born in South Carolina. The earliest surname that I have on him is Tarbutt, later changed to Tarbutton. Is there any connection of that sur ame to the nation?
Thank you
Peace Veronica!
We are not familiar with that surname.
Do you know anything about the surname Higgins or Ball from Charleston SC?
Peace Ariel!
You may want to read Ed Ball’s book, “Slaves in the Family” which lays out that history. We are not familiar with the Higgins family.
Hi,
I have been doing my family tree and I’ve done DNA. My last name is Seabrooks my family was moved from Wadmalaw island, SC to Monticello/Jefferson county, FL. And I just want to learn more about my Heritage.
Peace Danielle!
That surname is one that we are familiar with. Have you visited Wadmalaw yet to inquire about the Seabrooks that may still live on the island? That is something we highly suggest. You can connect via the community center there.
Is the last name GLEATON associated with other Gullah/ Geechee families?
Peace Zay!
We are not familiar with that surname.
Greetings! I have family from Manning, SC. Are you familiar with the names Mack, McKnight, Miller, or Washington in the Gullah Geechee Nation? Thank you!
Peace Amoa!
Yes, we are familiar with native Gullah/Geechees with all of those surnames and Manning is part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hi Queen Quet! My name is Jaela. I run a Geechee community on a platform called Reddit and I’d love for you to stop by. No idea if this would ring a bell to you or anyone else in this thread but my family are The Adams and they were from Wagon Branch / Tillman, SC – My great-grandmother is the closest living relative to me on that side (my mother’s side) of the family and she was delighted to discover that we are Geechee, we will do all that we can to help you guys in our home state of Pennsylvania!
Peace Jaela!
We appreciate you support! You should send us a direct email with the link to how to connect with you on Reddit.
BTW, there may be some of your family members on this page since there are other Johnsons and Robinson family here.
Tenki Tenki fa hunnuh support!
Hello,
I’m hoping to trace my family names. Do any of these surnames sound familiar: Jefferson, Rivers, Nelson, Toon
Peace LeAnn!
All of those names are familiar except Toon.
Any surnames Aiken, Stephens, Allen, Cohen, or Gadson? Thank you
Peace Keshia!
There absolutely are Aikens, Stephens, Allens, Cohens and Gadsons in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. However, what county and state are your people from?
Do you have surnames Singleton, Askew, Nelson, or Glover in your area
Peace Brian!
We have a LOT of Singletons in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, some Askews, Nelson and Glovers as well.
Hello,
My name is Angela M. Tyson, I was told as a little girl that my ancestors on my mother’s (Louvenia A. Tyson of Savannah, GA) side of the family was of Cherokee Indians (Priscilla Gadsen-Tyson), a Black Jew (Thomas Tyson) husband of (Priscilla Gadsen-Tyson) of Bellinger Hill, SC, (Neomie M.Tyson-Smith (Gullah/Geechee Cherokee Indian) of Bellinger Hill, SC, and (Willie Green) of Charleston, SC
Peace Angela!
The Charleston connection is likely a Gullah/Geechee one.
Blessings I’m new here and inspired to know of roots if I belong my grandmother was Gwendolyn Gillis she was born in soperton And my grandfather was Eugene Mccloud was born in Florida before that the surname was outlaw i was told.
Gillis, Mccloud,outlaw
Peace Akeem!
What part of Florida?
Is the Gillis outlaw or mccloud name known names? My family is from soperton ga and Macon ga and Florida
Peace Akeem!
Those are not surnames that we are familiar with. The areas that you mentioned are inland and not in the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s Georgia coast. We are not sure where in Florida you are referencing.
Hello
My family is from Bamberg and Edgefield SC, last name Butler, Ella, her mother’s last name was Spencer. Do you recall these names? Thanks. Stefanie
Peace Stefanie!
We do know of the “Butler Plantation” in Georgia. You may find more about that name at the SC Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC. It is not a common Gullah/Geechee Nation surname nor is “Spencer.” However, if is likely a more inland name since that is where Edgefield is.
Hello! Is Simmons/Simons a name part of the Gullah Geechee? My ancestor was Issac Simmons and his wife was Mary. They lived in Charleston, SC as well as Givhans, and Marion in the 1850s-1880s. My 3X great-grandmother was Lucy. They ended up in Mississippi. I do know they were Creole, and my Great-grandmother had a French first name. Thank you!
Peace Nikki!
Yes, the Simmons name is common in the Gullah/Geechee Nation throughout the SC coast. Some Gullah/Geechees were forced to migrate to the Gulf Coast.
Hello,
My grandmother grew up in Moncks Corner / Pineville area. Her last name was Dubose, does that name sound familiar? Thank you!
Peace!
Yes. Moncks Corner is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello,
My grandmother lived in Moncks Corner/Pineville. Last name Dubose. Does that sound familiar?
Thanks!
Peace!
We are not familiar with that surname as a Gullah/Geechee surname. However, Moncks Corner and Pineville are in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello, is Wrice’s surname in SC area?
Peace JW!
We’re not familiar with that surname. We know of “Rice” but not “Wrice.”
Hello Queen, My grandma on father side in Jacksonville said we have roots but she has dementia and can’t recall much. My great grandfather on my mother side is from Manning,SC. As I did our ancestry and it shows ties back to Georgetown. Just if there’s any Frazier/Frasier family from the Geechee Nation. I’ve always felt drawn to the Nation, Especially after learning that you’re from the same areas as my ancestors.
Peace Johnathan!
Yes, the folks in Manning and Georgetown are Gullah/Geechee. Although we don’t personally know the folks with those surnames in those counties, we do know others with those surnames here on the SC coast. You should attend “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day: to connect with famlee: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1288366180929?aff=oddtdtcreator
Bush and Bailey surname, any of those ring a bell?
Peace Kurtis!
Yes, both surnames ring bells.
Hi I believe I am from this tribe how do I get in contact with someone to get more information on reconnecting? My email is shamyrah92logan@gmail.com
Peace Shamyrah!
We highly recommend coming to “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” to see if you linked to folks here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1288366180929?aff=oddtdtcreator
Hello! I am looking for the surnames Dendy, Benson, Finney, or Williams. Do these sound familiar to the Gullah Geechee?
Peace Aleyha!
Williams is a common Gullah/Geechee surname but that doesn’t automatically indicate that a person is Gullah/Geechee. What state and county is your family from?
It comes from my dad side. He never knew his father but I have traced them to the Surname Benson, Finney, and Dendy. The Williams surname comes from his mother side who was from Arkansas. Nothing about them stems to the Gullah famlee.
Hi! Thank you for this space to connect! My dad always told me that we were Gullah Geechee but when questioned further, he said he isn’t fully sure. I’ve done a lot of research on it but I haven’t been able to pin down any solid answers yet. I would love some help with this!
Our surnames are, Shannon, Hamm, and Shuman.
And we are from Bryan County and Liberty County.
Peace Siobahn!
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh! Yes, Liberty County, GA is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. It’s good to hear from you!
Peace and thank you for you time and attention. I am grateful for you. I have grandparents born in Ridgeville SC with the last name’s Mitchell and Johnson or Fell and Gadsden. I also have grandparents with the last name’s Casterlow and Thomas. Are you familiar with any of these names?
Peace Carlos!
We are familiar with all of those names except “Fell” and we are familiar with Ridgeville, SC as well.
My great grandmother was Geechee her name was Sarah Dingle. My grandmother (her daughter) just passed away and we will be making a trip there soon to scatter some of her ashes and know more about us being Geechee
Peace Justine!
Our condolences.
We highly recommend that you attend “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” to learn more about our authentic traditions: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1288366180929?aff=oddtdtcreator
Hello! my family is from Orangeburg, South Carolina with history in Barbados as-well. Our last name is Dash have, is this a familiar Gullah Geechee surname? Thankyouu
Peace Ibrahim!
That is a Midlands, SC name and not generally a Gullah/Geechee Nation surname.