Age Group:
Adults- Registration is required for this event.
- Registration is no longer available for this event.
Program Description
Event Details
Front of the Auditorium, First Floor
East Tennessee Roots & Resources is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required for sessions.
Session Description
This session will explore the historical basis for the continual presence of Cherokee people in the Southeast and examine the complex reasons behind the prevalence of Cherokee ancestry claims among modern Americans. Participants will move beyond the common narrative of “hiding in the mountains” to uncover the documented circumstances that allowed a significant number of Cherokee people to remain in their ancestral lands following the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the subsequent forced migration. By examining primary source documentation, we will establish the compelling history that forms the foundation for both valid and unsubstantiated claims of Cherokee heritage.
Presenters
Anita Finger-Smith is a respected genealogical and historical researcher with over 20 years of experience, specializing in Southeastern Cherokee records from the pre-Removal era to the present. She is the principal genealogist for Cherokee Genealogy Services, a business licensed through the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Outside her research role, Anita is the co-owner of Bearmeat’s Indian Den, an authentic Native American art gallery located in the Wolfetown Community of the Qualla Boundary.
About East Tennessee Roots & Resources
East Tennessee Roots & Resources is three days (November 7-9, 2025) of engaging lectures, hands-on research, and access to the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection and Knox County Archives. Whether you’re starting your genealogy journey or tackling decades-old mysteries, the East Tennessee History Center is where you’ll discover your story.
About the East Tennessee History Center
At the East Tennessee History Center, Discover Your Story isn’t just a tagline—it’s an invitation. Whether your roots run deep in East Tennessee or you are exploring a newfound interest, the History Center offers a gateway to the people, places, and events that shaped the region. With a family friendly museum, governmental archives, and a heralded special collections and genealogical library under one roof, the History Center is where personal past meets regional history.
The East Tennessee History Center is a facility of Knox County Public Library and is operated in programmatic partnership with the East Tennessee Historical Society. It is located at 601 S. Gay Street in the heart of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information, please call 865-215-8899.