Welcome
GWILODWÔGAN – is a word from the Western Abenaki dialect which refers to exploration, research, or investigation. This word describes this blog very well – I will be exploring and investigating historical records in search of our lost Wabanaki Ancestors. I would like to share this journey with you. I hope to assist others navigating the maze of inaccurate material out there, demonstrate good research techniques for resolving family mysteries, and with any luck, document a Native family or two along the way. So here we go on a wonderful genealogy adventure.
Who are the Wabanaki?
They are the Native American People of Northeastern North America.
Their territory includes
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- portions of Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- New York State
Modern day Tribes or Nations included under the term Wabanaki are
- Penobscot
- Passamaquoddy
- Maliseet
- Mi’kmaq
- Abenaki of Odanak
- Abenaki of Wolinak
I want to take a moment to stress that I am not creating certified or professional genealogies on this blog. I believe it is the responsibility of descendants, rather than some stranger or organization, to prove the accuracy of the data in one’s own family tree. I am exploring the historical record to determine possibilities. Is it possible the family’s oral history is accurate concerning Native ancestors? I am making my findings public so the journey of others may be less bumpy.
I follow good research practices, but I do not adhere completely to the higher “Genealogical Proof Standard”, which does not allow for any “Preponderance of the Evidence” conclusions. I believe we need to accept circumstantial evidence in many instances because source documents for Wabanaki People are very few and far between and almost nonexistent prior to 1800. I do not believe circumstantial evidence is “proof positive” of anything. However, when a large collection of circumstantial evidence is found, I believe it demonstrates something is “very likely”. This should be sufficient to satisfy the psychological needs of descendants searching for the truth in historical periods where such proof perhaps does not exist. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should ever stop trying to prove it!
The Ne-Do-Ba Research Journal 
Hi. My name is Dawna (née Marden) Lamson. I am a descendant of Nathaniel Marden – possible grandson of Molly Ockett (Mary Agathe) – through Aaron B. Marden (1842-1914), his son Aaron Marden (b. 1889, married Charlotte L. Nichols), his son Heleur, and his son Adrian Sherwood Marden (b. 1942), my father. There have been many mentions of Native ancestry (on both sides of family…Passamaquody, Mi’kmaq, Malisset), including possible relation to Molly Ockett (Mary Agathe). Knowledge of medicinal plants (golden thread, for example), native plants that teas and other things can be made from, foraging for cranberries, mushrooms, fiddleheads, ramps, dandelion greens, etc, is common in my family and was always attributed partly to Native ancestry. I believe Nathaniel was a basketmaker.
I came across your wonderful research after a recent conversation with a relative about our ancestry, specifically about Molly, which led to me to try to find some answers. I read (elsewhere) that the Edward Marden who was a NH Ranger and possible “husband” of Molly Ockett was born in 1751 and their (possible) son Edward Jr was born around 1784/5. I also read that Molly was born between 1725-1744, with 1740 being the common accepted date. If so, that means Edward was at least 11 yrs younger than Molly; and if Edward Jr. was their son, she would have been about 44/45 when she had him. Additionally, a genealogical entry for Edward (not sure how reliable it is) listed first wife as possible Native American born between 1755-65.
At first I thought my research was pointing to “likelihood” that we actually are descendants of Molly, but after looking more closely at Molly and Edward’s ages, it seems less plausible to me now. Perhaps Edward had a relationship/union with another Abenaki woman, which became attributed to Molly (an exaggeration of sorts)?
Your thoughts?
Thank you!