Tributes

                     Patricia A. Baldwin

             Patricia was born in Floyd Co., KY and raised in Magoffin County, until age 10.  Magoffin County was where her lineage of Melungeon ancestors had migrated to from the Scott County, Va., area; and area of one of the earliest settlements of Melungeon people  (circa 1800-1825),  some of who later moved on to Southern Ohio and called themselves the 'Carmel Indians.'   Patricia has been married to R.K. Baldwin for almost 12 years and have a son and a daughter.  The Baldwin's live in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Southeastern, Kentucky.      Patricia graduated from Barberton High School, Barberton, Ohio and has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Elementary Education with a minor in History from the University of Akron.

    Patricia is very proud of her Melungeon ancestry, maternal and paternal lines.  She has been researching Melungeon origins for about 20 years, with a concentration on medical maladies that are prevalent to this illusive  group of people.  Patricia writes short stories and poetry, some of which have been published; and has won awards in writing.  She belongs to several area historical societies an d has been active in researching diseases, planning and coordinating the Melungeon Ancestral Medical Task Force, being assistant researcher with S.J. Arthur.  Patricia and S.J. worked with M.A.M. at the 2nd. Union - A Melungeon Gathering held at the Clinch Valley College of Wise, VA in 1998.

    We at the WCHS are very proud that Patricia has been our Melungeon Editor for the Appalachian Quarterly since September  1997.  She says that her hobbies include writing short stories and poetry, working with computer technology, computer graphics manipulation, digital photography, and researching Melungeon history and families, and 'living as gently as I can.'

Patricia writes, "I have a Levant Waist Sash that has been handed down the line in my family for the last 400 plus years.  The origin of the Sash is still being studied, but it has been identified as belonging to possibly a Turkish soldier of the mid to late 1400's."