Old World Roots of the Cherokee

How DNA, Ancient Alphabets and Religion Explain the Origins of America's Largest Indian Nation

By: Donald N. Yates

Narrated by: Jack Chekijian

Most histories of the Cherokee nation focus on its encounters with Europeans, its conflicts with the U.S. government, and its expulsion from its lands during the Trail of Tears. This work, however, traces the origins of the Cherokee people to the third century B.C.E. and follows their migrations through the Americas to their homeland in the lower Appalachian Mountains. Using a combination of DNA analysis, historical research, and classical philology, it uncovers the Jewish and Eastern Mediterranean ancestry of the Cherokee and reveals that they originally spoke Greek before adopting the Iroquoian language of their Haudenosaunee allies while the two nations dwelt together in the Ohio Valley.

©2012 Donald N. Yates (P)2013 Donald N. Yates

Interesting Resource

This book was really interesting to listen to. It was especially ironic that it came up for me to listen to as I was doing research on my family's genealogy.

Thus far my story goes back to descendents of the American Revolution, the Mayflower and Holland. At the same time the different "native" tribes were trying to learn how to interact with the "white man". After only having to deal with, be at war with, etc. other "native" tribes.

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Great Information!

I would highly recommend choosing a different narrator next time. The chosen narrator ruined this book by speaking like an Alexa/Siri robot most of the time, and mis-pronouncing very common compound words or breaking them apart in strange ways. He took away from the importance of this very exciting read.
New Narrator!

Canoe Trip on Rivers of Time

I truly enjoyed listening to the book. This book tied all the thoughts and questions I had about Ameridindian DNA. Listening to the Book was a trip back through the Story. Jack Chekijian's, smooth voice is like a Tranquil canoe trip on the rivers of time. Donald Yates delivers a well researched, thoughtful, personal account of the Origins of the Cherokee.
The book takes you into the Ancestry of Cherokee Tribal chieftains and their daughters as well as Elvis Pressley. Discover it for yourself.
I had oral traditions about Native American Ancestry mostly Cherokee. I started working on this aspect of my family tree with my Dad’s and Maternal Grandmothers Ancestry. This proved to be An interesting and frustrating journey. I couldn’t find much online about Native American Research in early 2000. Many Cherokee researchers that were online were very helpful. The most insightful site I found though was Panthers Lodge owned by Dr. Donald Panther-Yates. Shortly thereafter, he began a DNA Project with Southeast Indian Ancestry. He was looking for Straight Matrilineal descent and/or Patrilineal; The emphasis on Native American Women who had married Indian Traders. This was a very unique approach. Since my Trader Lineage comes through my Maternal Grandmother with her Father’s Family, I could not participate at that time with the limitations of the DNA tests and projects at that time being strictly to Y or X. So, I answered the call for volunteers and helped by constructing and researching with the participants on their digital family tree, beginning with Gayl Wilson’s unique Cherokee History.
Thus began a journey through the Southeast Indian Tribal Stories. Find your Journey too!
I also am getting the complete Print version with tables and pictures. I Think having the Audible version as a companion to the Print book is very helpful in hearing how the Cherokee Words are pronounced.

Old world roots

This is an interesting read.It deals with facts on the migration,culture and religious aspects of the Cherokee people.Jack Chekijian is the perfect narrator for this book.
I was provided this book for an honest review.

Old World Roots

Any additional comments?

This book brings together a lot of material in one book It is an excellent introduction to the subject and provides a good jumping off points for readers who want to explore the subject more deeply. It references both historical material and modern genetics. This is a good reference book.