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Genealogy Process

Updated: April 12, 2023

Key Findings: Of the 22 remains that had DNA extraction, six have produced genetic genealogy profiles that genealogists can now tie to potential surnames and locations of interest. Individuals may recognize those surnames in their family trees.

A detailed list of the burials associated with these surnames can be found below:

Using DNA sequencing, the process by which genetic information of a DNA sample is obtained from remains, genetic genealogy profiles have been made for six remains so far. Each of those profiles are uploaded into GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA, the only two authorized databases that allow comparisons to unidentified remains. Individuals who have voluntarily shared their DNA tests with GEDmatch and/or Family Tree DNA, whether as part of this investigation or otherwise, will have these six genetic genealogy profiles (and others that are produced from this investigation) compared to their own.

  • Surnames/Locations of Interest:
    • Jones and Medler of Clay County, Mississippi, 1880-1900
  • About the burial: Female from 2021 exhumation, with additional DNA gathered in 2022 exhumation. Burial was in a matching casket to Burial 13 with an “At Rest” plaque found. No apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest: 
    • Daniel, Meriwether, Sims, and Bohannon of Coweta County, Georgia, area.
    • Scott and Huntley from Coweta and Troup Counties, Georgia.
    • Robert Benjamin family of Austin County, Texas, in late 1800s.
  • About the burial: Male from 2021 exhumation, with additional DNA gathered in 2022 exhumation. Burial was in a plain wooden casket and no apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #1:
    • Bremby family (also spelled Bembry, Brembry, Brimbry, etc.) of Sealy County and Austin County, Texas, and nearby Colorado County, Texas.
    • Some of the Texas Bremby family were briefly in Tulsa, so the genealogy team is interested in connecting with Oklahoma community members with any variations of that surname.       
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #2: Maggett
    • Area(s): Mississippi
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #3: Strong, McGee
    • Area(s): Union Parish, Louisiana, and Texas
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #4: Still
    • Area(s): Oklahoma during Indian Territory designation
  • About the burial: Female from 2021 exhumation, with additional DNA gathered in 2022 exhumation. Burial was in a matching casket to Burial 1 with an “At Rest” plaque found. No apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #1: Holden, Larrimore
    • Area(s): Sabine Parish, Louisiana 
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest #2: Luckett, Mayre
    • Area(s): Rapides Parish, Louisiana 
  • About the burial: Male from 2021 exhumation, with additional DNA gathered in 2022 exhumation. Burial was in a plain wooden casket and no apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.
  • Surnames/Locations of Interest:
    • Traylor from Louisiana and Bowie County, Texas 
    • Rentie, Kernal, Grayson, Island and Smith families who were Muscogee (Creek) Freedmen in the late 1800s.
    • Davis family of Kaufman, Texas, and Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s.
  • About the burial: Male from 2021 exhumation. Burial was in a plain wooden casket and no apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.
  • Potential Last Name(s):
    • Alexander of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
  • About the burial: Male from 2022 exhumation. Burial was in a plain wooden casket and no apparent gunshot wound or trauma was present.

Intermountain Forensics is seeking help from anyone who may be associated with the above surnames or have relatives from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. If your family tree has the surnames in the location of interest for any of the unknown burials, please contact the genealogy team at Intermountain Forensics. Information can be submitted online by clicking the "Provide Information" button at www.tulsa1921dna.org. You can also find instructions for participating with DNA in this project at the same website. You can also email the genealogy team directly at idteam@tulsa1921dna.org.