Melungeon First Union

The two mayors, Nuri Ertan and Caynor Smith, became friends after the two countries came together when their two cities became "sister cities" when they enrolled in a program Sister Cities International. This picture was taken on the steps of the County Courthouse in Wise County, Virginia in July 1997. The mayor of Cseme, Turkey, along with his wife, the mayor of Wise, stood next to Melungeons in support of their new found friends, the Melungeons.

On that day, in July 1997, Connie Clark, loudly proclaimed these words, "We are not going to take it anymore...." Connie Clark was talking about the ongoing oppression that her people have had to endure for centuries. It was on this day that the people of Turkey forged a kinship with the people of Appalachia.

Newsletter Volume 1, No. 1 September 1989

Excerpt:

"Today, Turkish scholars have verified that the name Melunjun was applied and used freely by early Ottoman Turk-ish sailors. The modem Turkish people recognize this term which meant cursed soul or abandoned by God. How ironic in view of the traumatic history of the Melungeons in America. Also, Spanish Historian, Eloy Gal-legoes, found the name in early Spanish Folk songs."