Newborn artist and family genealogist of 20 years, I am a direct descendant of Isaac Church. Other family surnames I descend from are Banks, Perry, Sheffield, Payne and Dodge. My focus in my research has been to correct the mislabeling of race and identity in the historical records of my deceased loved ones. Records have been changed in recent years from the original text (of which I have stamped copies) by people attempting to write about the Manisseans of Block Island. Time and again, non-Indians have written stories and recollections from information that falsely recorded my family. The correct information is out there in the public domain for anyone to see IF, you know what your looking for in the sea of records. The Manisses Indians have not died out. To most, we have just been hiding in plain sight. The American Indians of Manisses have been Indigenous inhabitants of the island for millennia as revealed by archaeologist Kevin McBride. I met with Mr. McBride years ago with proof in hand of whom I was and he was quite surprised to see that we are in fact, still alive and walking today. The time has come to record the true history of my ancestors. They fought long and hard, even till their dying day for some, to keep what was theirs. Yet, even in death, people have denied their indigenous identity. A more recent issue that has come to light is that some individuals who have no claim to the Church family lineage have come forth saying they do. I am hoping the releasing of correct information will help clear up the confusion for them. Thanks to Find A Grave, the resting places of my loved ones are finally being recorded and the truth is being revealed. I would also like to thank those of you whom I've contacted. Your assistance in making corrections and familial additions to the records you have preciously recorded is appreciated. Thank you!

Newborn artist and family genealogist of 20 years, I am a direct descendant of Isaac Church. Other family surnames I descend from are Banks, Perry, Sheffield, Payne and Dodge. My focus in my research has been to correct the mislabeling of race and identity in the historical records of my deceased loved ones. Records have been changed in recent years from the original text (of which I have stamped copies) by people attempting to write about the Manisseans of Block Island. Time and again, non-Indians have written stories and recollections from information that falsely recorded my family. The correct information is out there in the public domain for anyone to see IF, you know what your looking for in the sea of records. The Manisses Indians have not died out. To most, we have just been hiding in plain sight. The American Indians of Manisses have been Indigenous inhabitants of the island for millennia as revealed by archaeologist Kevin McBride. I met with Mr. McBride years ago with proof in hand of whom I was and he was quite surprised to see that we are in fact, still alive and walking today. The time has come to record the true history of my ancestors. They fought long and hard, even till their dying day for some, to keep what was theirs. Yet, even in death, people have denied their indigenous identity. A more recent issue that has come to light is that some individuals who have no claim to the Church family lineage have come forth saying they do. I am hoping the releasing of correct information will help clear up the confusion for them. Thanks to Find A Grave, the resting places of my loved ones are finally being recorded and the truth is being revealed. I would also like to thank those of you whom I've contacted. Your assistance in making corrections and familial additions to the records you have preciously recorded is appreciated. Thank you!