Jim Sawgrass/James Boettner

[Camilla]

My name is Camilla, I come from Italy

Last Summer we met Cody Boettner (actual Hoop Dance World Champion) and his father Jim Sawgrass.
From Jim's mother side they should be of Muskogee Creek lineage (Florida).
Jim also always clearly states that he is also of Scottish and German lineage

We really enjoyed their presentations: Cody is an outstanding dancer, and Jim's presentation were interesting, extensive, in one word: great. He shows a really wide knowledge of Creek language, history, music, songs, traditions, crafts, etc. etc.

Now the issue came out on FB that all this could be a fraud, the Boettners not being of any Creek lineage: out of respect and affection for the Boettners, out of respect to the many Native people who made their voice heard, out of respect of Native people in general, I kindly ask help to this blog, to tribal members, to extended family in order to find out the truth.

Thank you

Camilla Novelli

[educatedindian]

I just got a request about him as well.

James Boettner doesn't claim to be enrolled. He's with a group, Muscogee Tribe of Florida, petitioning to be recognized, so far without success for at least 30 years. That's not unusual. The debate obviously should come down to whether this unrecognized group is what they claim to be. I'd say we need to find out what the recognized Muscogee Creek say about them. And also look at the accuracy of his presentations.

His own statement is at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10162470007720637&set=a.10153847006500637&type=3
"....German and Scottish on my father's side and English and Georgia Creek on my mother's side. I served four years on the Florida Creek Indian Council...."

[Camilla]

 Thanks a lot for your prompt replay.
It's so good to know that also Jim Sawgrass contacted you.
Looking forward for more update from you.
Best regards
Camilla Novelli

[educatedindian]

It wasn't Boettner who contacted me. It was someone else who had concerns like yours.

If you look at the link before, you'll see it was Natives who were concerned about Boettner identifying as one. I'm not sure if they are Muscogee or not.

[Camilla]

Sorry for misunderstanding.
I'm aware that there is a big debate going on about the issue. We can only wait.
Camilla

[Camilla]

I read the first link: by the Lianna Elizabeta Costantino is member (Citizen) of the Cherokee Nation

[Diana]

Ok, here is Jim Boettner's mothers find a grave/obit. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58710136/christine-boettner#.

 
 Christine Boettner
Photo added by Robert Stanley Orrell

Christine Boettner
BIRTH   18 Dec 1936
Lake Helen, Volusia County, Florida, USA
DEATH   11 Dec 1998 (aged 61)
Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, USA
BURIAL   
Shady Rest Cemetery
Holly Hill, Volusia County, Florida, USA
PLOT   No. Mausoleum
MEMORIAL ID   58710136 · View Source
 
Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) - December 13, 1998

SOUTH DAYTONA E. Christine Boettner, 61, of Olive Street, a retired secretary to the finance director of the City of Daytona Beach, died Friday at Atlantic Medical Center.

Mrs. Boettner was born in Lake Helen, and was a lifetime resident of this area. She was a graduate of Mainland High School, Daytona Beach, and Southeastern Bible College, Lakeland. She was a member of Pathfinders Southern Gospel Singing Group of Daytona Beach.

Survivors include her husband, James; two sons, James Jr. and John, both of South Daytona; two brothers, Lloyd Gilmore, Eustis, and Earl Gilmore, Auburndale; and two grandchildren. Baggett and Summers, Daytona Beach, is in charge.

Family Members
Spouse   
James Boettner
1939 – unknown

Sponsored by Ancestry

Since Jim Boettner claims his so called Indian ancestry through his mother I will only post her genealogy. Her maiden name is Gilmore, her and his father are first generation floridians. Both sides of the family are from Georgia and have very deep roots to the state.

Here is her marriage record.

Emily Christine Gilmore in the Florida, Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001

ViewFlorida, Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001
Name:   Emily Christine Gilmore
Spouse:   James Stewart Boettner
County of Marriage:   Volusia
Marriage Date:   Jun 1961
Volume:   1977
Certificate:   19675
Source:   Florida Department of Health

Here she is in the 1940 census. As you can see her race is white, as is all her relatives as far back to 1844.

Emily C Gilmore
in the 1940 United States Federal Census

View1940 United States Federal Census

Name:   Emily C Gilmore
Age:   3
Estimated birth year:   abt 1937
Gender:   Female
Race:   White
Birthplace:   Florida
Marital status:   Single
Relation to Head of House:   Daughter
Home in 1940:   Daytona Beach, Volusia, Florida
Map of Home in 1940:   View Map
Street:   Carswell Street
House Number:   731
Sheet Number:   23A
Attended School or College:   No
Highest Grade Completed:   None
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
James L Gilmore   38
A Gertrude Gilmore   33
James E Gilmore   8
William L Gilmore   7
Emily C Gilmore   

[Diana]

Here is Christine Gilmore Boettner's father and mothers marriage record. I will post the father's side of the family first. Also they are both white and born around the turn of the century.

James Leonard Gilmore in the Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982

Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982

Name:   James Leonard Gilmore
Gender:   Male
Marriage Date:   9 Aug 1930
Marriage Place:   Florida, USA
Spouse:   Ada Gertrude Exum


Here are both parents in the 1940 census.

James L Gilmore in the 1940 United States Federal Census

View1940 United States Federal Census

Name:   James L Gilmore
Age:   38
Estimated birth year:   abt 1902
Gender:   Male
Race:   White
Birthplace:   Georgia
Marital status:   Married
Relation to Head of House:   Head
Home in 1940:   Daytona Beach, Volusia, Florida
Map of Home in 1940:   View Map
Street:   Carswell Street
House Number:   731
Farm:   No
Inferred Residence in 1935:   New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Residence in 1935:   New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Resident on farm in 1935:   No
Sheet Number:   23A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation:   88
Occupation:   Stationary Engineer
House Owned or Rented:   Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:   7
Attended School or College:   No
Highest Grade Completed:   High School, 1st year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census:   77
Class of Worker:   Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939:   50
Income:   975
Income Other Sources:   No
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
James L Gilmore   38
A Gertrude Gilmore   33
James E Gilmore   8
William L Gilmore   7
Emily C Gilmore   3

Here is Ada Gertude in the same census.

A Gertrude Gilmore
 in the 1940 United States Federal Census

View1940 United States Federal Census
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Name:   A Gertrude Gilmore
Respondent:   Yes
Age:   33
Estimated birth year:   abt 1907
Gender:   Female
Race:   White
Birthplace:   Georgia
Marital status:   Married
Relation to Head of House:   Wife
Home in 1940:   Daytona Beach, Volusia, Florida
Map of Home in 1940:   View Map
Street:   Carswell Street
House Number:   731
Inferred Residence in 1935:   New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Residence in 1935:   New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Resident on farm in 1935:   No
Sheet Number:   23A
Attended School or College:   No
Highest Grade Completed:   High School, 2nd year
Weeks Worked in 1939:   0
Income:   0
Income Other Sources:   No
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
James L Gilmore   38
A Gertrude Gilmore   33
James E Gilmore   8
William L Gilmore   7
Emily C Gilmore   3

[Diana]

Leonard Gimore 1920 census

Leonard Gilmore in the 1920 United States Federal Census

View1920 United States Federal Census

Name:   Leonard Gilmore
Age:   18
Birth Year:   abt 1902
Birthplace:   Georgia
Home in 1920:   Vienna, Dooly, Georgia
Street:   Montezuma Road
Residence Date:   1920
Race:   White
Gender:   Male
Relation to Head of House:   Son
Marital status:   Single
Father's name:   Eugene Gilmore
Father's Birthplace:   Georgia
Mother's name:   Annie Lou Gilmore
Mother's Birthplace:   Georgia
Able to Speak English:   Yes
Occupation:   Farmer
Industry:   Gen Crops
Employment Field:   Employer
Attended School:   No
Able to Read:   Yes
Able to Write:   Yes
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
Eugene Gilmore   46
Annie Lou Gilmore   40
Leonard Gilmore   18
Johnie Gilmore   16
Annie Louise Gilmore   13
Erastus Gilmore   9
Mary Eliza Gilmore   7


Father Eugene Gilmore in the 1920 United States Federal Census

View1920 United States Federal Census

Name:   Eugene Gilmore
Age:   46
Birth Year:   abt 1874
Birthplace:   Georgia
Home in 1920:   Vienna, Dooly, Georgia
Street:   Montezuma Road
House Number:   X
Residence Date:   1920
Race:   White
Gender:   Male
Relation to Head of House:   Head
Marital status:   Married
Spouse's name:   Annie Lou Gilmore
Father's Birthplace:   Georgia
Mother's Birthplace:   Georgia
Able to Speak English:   Yes
Occupation:   Farmer
Industry:   Gen Crops
Employment Field:   Wage or Salary
Home Owned or Rented:   Rent
Able to Read:   Yes
Able to Write:   Yes
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
Eugene Gilmore   46
Annie Lou Gilmore   40
Leonard Gilmore   18
Johnie Gilmore   16
Annie Louise Gilmore   13
Erastus Gilmore   9
Mary Eliza Gilmore   7

Here's his draft registration. There is a photo copy in his own hand writing, but i can't figure out how to post it.

Isham Eugine Gilmore in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

ViewU.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name:   Isham Eugine Gilmore
Race:   White
Birth Date:   22 Oct 1873
Street address:   3
Residence Place:   Dooly, Georgia, USA
Relative:   Annie Low Gilmore


Mother Annie Shockley Gilmore 
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33579089#

Annie Lou Shockley Gilmore
BIRTH   9 Oct 1879
Dooly County, Georgia, USA
DEATH   23 Feb 1955 (aged 75)
New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida, USA
BURIAL   
Edgewater New Smyrna Cemetery
Edgewater, Volusia County, Florida, USA
PLOT   Section 5 Row 5
MEMORIAL ID   33579089 · View Source
 
Family Members
Children

James Leonard Gilmore
1901–1965

Photo   
John Franklin Gilmore
1903–1987

Photo   
Annie Laurie Gilmore Middleton
1906–1990

Photo   
Irby Erastus Gilmore
1910–1979

Photo   
Mary Elizabeth Gilmore Sapp
1913–2001

Here is Anna Shockley Gilmore in the 1880 census.

Anna L. Shockley in the 1880 United States Federal Census

View1880 United States Federal Census

Name:   Amna L. Shockley
Age:   2
Birth Date:   Abt 1878
Birthplace:   Georgia
Home in 1880:   Sumter, Georgia, USA
Dwelling Number:   130
Race:   White
Gender:   Female
Relation to Head of House:   Daughter
Marital status:   Single
Father's name:   William Shockley
Father's Birthplace:   Georgia
Mother's name:   Mollie Shockley
Mother's Birthplace:   Georgia
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
William Shockley   36
Mollie Shockley   30
Louella Shockley   11
Erastus Shockley   10
Anna L. Shockley   2

[Diana]

We are already at the early 1800s. I'm not going to go back any further on the father's side. This speaks for itself. 
Parents of Annie Shockley Gilmore


Marriage record for William Shockley and Mollie Smith Shockley.

Mollie Smith in the Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978

View Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978

Name:   Mollie Smith
Gender:   Female
Marriage Date:   3 Jan 1878
Marriage Place:   Sumter, Georgia, USA
Spouse:   William J Shockley
Spouse Gender:   Male


William Shockley in the 1880 United States Federal Census

View1880 United States Federal Census

Name:   William Shockley
Age:   36
Birth Date:   Abt 1844
Birthplace:   Georgia
Home in 1880:   Sumter, Georgia, USA
Dwelling Number:   130
Race:   White
Gender:   Male
Relation to Head of House:   Self (Head)
Marital status:   Married
Spouse's name:   Mollie Shockley
Father's Birthplace:   Georgia
Mother's Birthplace:   Georgia
Occupation:   Farming
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
William Shockley   36
Mollie Shockley   30
Louella Shockley   11
Erastus Shockley   10
Anna L. Shockley   2



Mollie Shockley in the 1880 United States Federal Census

View1880 United States Federal Census

Name:   Mollie Shockley
Age:   30
Birth Date:   Abt 1850
Birthplace:   Georgia
Home in 1880:   Sumter, Georgia, USA
Dwelling Number:   130
Race:   White
Gender:   Female
Relation to Head of House:   Wife
Marital status:   Married
Spouse's name:   William Shockley
Father's Birthplace:   Georgia
Mother's Birthplace:   Georgia
Occupation:   Keeping House
Neighbors:   View others on page
Household Members:   
Name   Age
William Shockley   36
Mollie Shockley   30
Louella Shockley   11
Erastus Shockley   10
Anna L. Shockley  2

[Camilla]

Thanks Diana for the extended research: for sure this is a basically important information

[Sparks]

[…] And also look at the accuracy of his presentations.

His own statement is at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10162470007720637&set=a.10153847006500637&type=3
"....German and Scottish on my father's side and English and Georgia Creek on my mother's side. I served four years on the Florida Creek Indian Council...."

I wish you had quoted more because now "This page isn't available".

[Sparks]

Jim Sawgrass with family performed this month at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Brunswick, GA.

CoastFest 2019 will offer new experiences around every corner for visitors this year! Throughout the day under the show tents […] Jim Sawgrass and his Creek Indian family will entertain with Native American songs and ritual dances.

There is a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CoastFest/

CoastFest  · 24 August ·
Jim Sawgrass and the Deep Forest Native American showcase returns this Oct. 5 at CoastFest in Brunswick's Mary Ross Waterfront Park. Who else is excited?!

There were ten comments, now only two or three. So most of them were deleted.

[Sparks]

This is his home page: https://www.jimsawgrass.com/

About
Jim Sawgrass is a native Floridian of Muscogee Creek (Mvskoke) descent and living historian of the southeastern tribes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Sawgrass has been sharing his  knowledge of the Southeastern Native American tribes for over 25 years. He served on the Florida Indian Council from 1991-1995. Sawgrass has been sharing his knowledge of the Southeastern Native American tribes for over 30 years.

As a child, he was always interested in history, building forts, and exploring the woods and nearby swamps. The outdoors was always, and continues to be a big part of his life. He became more involved with his Native American heritage by attending Pow Wows, Native festivals, and historical reenactments. He learned more about Native culture and history from many elders, outdoors-men, and reanactors he was surrounded by. He is also an Eagle Scout and applies his scouting skills to this day.

In 1988, Sawgrass began presenting programs professionally on Native American history and started the "Deep Forest Historical Native American Programs". Since then, he has performed at places like schools, Pow Wows, state and national parks, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals and many other places around the U.S. He also been featured on many television networks such as History Channel, Travel Channel and Discovery Channel.

And here is his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jimsawgrass/

About a month ago he presented himself there in this way:

Jim Sawgrass · 29 September ·
I would like to take the time to address some of the recent comments being made about my family and I. I do not claim to be a member of a federally recognized tribe or group of people. I have only claimed to be a person of multi-cultural background. In my family, we have German and Scottish on my fathers side, and English and Georgia Creek on my mother’s side. I served 4 years on the Florida Creek Indian Council in the early 1990s. This was an appointed position by the governor of Florida Lawton Chiles. As I was growing up, living around St. Augustine, I found living history and nature to be my passion. I have been involved in living history portraying many Native People from the past. I never got started as a civil war reenactor, nor do I participate in civil war events. My wife, who is Philippine, comes to participate at these events with me. She also dresses out for living history, and does this in support of me and my programs. She doesn’t claim to be native.

As for the knowledge that I share at my programs, these are the result of countless hours of learning from elders from both Florida and Oklahoma, and the result of my own personal research of the southeastern tribes. I spread knowledge with the intent on giving the most accurate information, both historically and culturally, while giving credit to those who first taught me. Without the support of my teachers and friends, I would not be where I am today.

I want to thank my family (which includes my friends and followers) for supporting me.

624 reactions 380 comments 26 shares

The previous post on that page reads:

Jim Sawgrass · 24 September ·
Our son Cody was just 6 weeks old when we took him to the Ocmulgee Indian Mound. He is now 28 , World Champion Hoop Dancer, participated in the annual Ocmulgee Indian celebration this past weekend! It was a great family event in which my son and I are proud to be part of!

So the photo in my previous post is of Cody Boettner, who was not named at the photo source.

FLORIDA HOOP DANCER WINS TITLE OF WORLD CHAMPION AT 29TH-ANNUAL HOOP DANCE CONTEST
Over 80 Hoop Dancers from the U.S. and Canada Competed Feb. 9 – 10 at the Heard Museum's Libby Amphitheater in youth, teen, adult and senior divisions

February 12, 2019
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 11, 2019) – Cody Boettner (Creek) of South Daytona, Florida, captured his first adult title at the 29th Annual Heard Museum Hoop Dance Championship contest on Feb. 9 and 10. Boettner earned a spot in the finals after two preliminary rounds of competitions and took home the grand title and cash prize of $3,500.

Boettner faced 21 of the best hoop dancers in the highly competitive Adult Division including past champions Nakotah LaRance (Hopi, Tewa, Assiniboine), Tyrese Jensen (Diné, Pima-Maricopa) and Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Arikara, Hidasta). Boettner has been part of the top ten hoop dancers for the past three years and came back this year prepared to win it all. With 234 points out of a possible 250, he secured his first title. The 27-year-old master of hoop dancing outshined the other contestants in precision, timing, rhythm, showmanship, creativeness and speed.

Photos from:
FLORIDA HOOP DANCER WINS TITLE OF WORLD CHAMPION AT 29TH-ANNUAL HOOP DANCE CONTEST