Now I get older and I appreciate and realize how much history this nation has and how little they teach us in school.

As a 27 year old who grew up in privileged suburbia, stories like these make me feel nostalgic of a time and place I’ve never experienced. These women grew up without a lot, but their lives were so very rich.

this type of documentary is why I love youtube.

I'm a black seventy year old woman, she is describing my childhood 😘👍🏼also.

If you have parents, grandparents or other elders still living, get them to talk about their upbringing and what it was like for them, how they felt, what challenges they faced. History of your family matters.

What a marvelous documentary of mountain heritage. Isn't it remarkable how these women talked about what they had in common? Not one of them said they were victims of poverty or oppression. They saw their lives as gifts & were grateful and generous.

Back when people didn't know they wanted "stuff". They had plenty to eat, and clothes to wear. I could learn a lot from these ladies.

I am a middle-aged woman of African-American, Native American, French and Irish descent. I grew up in the country and watching this not only made me very nostalgic I cried happy and sad tears. Thank you so much for this documentary!

People like this are the backbone of this country and they will create a irreplaceable gap when they are gone.

We say, Appa-latcha. We also say "Chur-key", not Cher-o-kee. My family has been in the Blue Ridge of NC since 1750. My mother had 7 brothers and 7 sisters, one of which was her twin. These stories are the backbone of my childhood.

My attention was caught immediately when I saw the thumbnail of this video . I saw the picture of the precious old Indian lady and my first thought was That's my grandmother! She looks just like her! So I just had to keep watching. Funny thing, my dad's name is Sequoyah. I really enjoyed this video! Precious people, those old ones. Makes me long for that life.

3 women who lived life to the fullest and took on the responsibility God gave them to do. Well done, ladies!!🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸

These women are such beautiful humans. What they went through. What we take for granted today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your lives with us!

God-fearing, salt-of the earth, self-sustaining, wise, and beautiful women that I could listen to for hours! They each remind me of my grandma from the mountains of Tucker County, WV, whom I miss very much! Thank you, and God Bless you for posting this!

My Mama is now 89 yrs old and I love when she tells us stories of the old days...they had it hard compared to us and to our children too, but I think they were happy and contented. We kids were happy growing up in a small rural community. We had structure, good, strong hardworking parents and wise grandparents. We were blessed. TY you for sharing this lovely video....those stories are priceless!!! Cheers from sunny FL :-)

I love this! I just ran across it tonight. Born and raised in Sylva, NC. I remember Mary Jane and the Queen family from mountain heritage day growing up. She passed in 2007. Amanda Swimmer is still alive, I believe I saw where she was teaching something about pottery in the one feather not long ago. My Dad is a local artist, he did a painting of her. Makes me miss my grandma who passed a year ago. I left back in 2003, but wanted to come back the whole time. Now I'm back I don't think I ever want to leave again, it's like a different world and it's in my blood.

I love listening to elders tell how life was for them. When I was a teenage, my grandma tried to tell me about her youth, but like many teens, I brushed her off. I wish I had listened. There was much I could have learned.

These women look so relaxed, at peace and you know they've worked hard. This is a gem of UKposts videos. I know I'll watch it again and again. Thanks for posting. I love the format.

These women speak plainly and honestly about their childhoods. If you listen closely to these ladies, you will see many things they have in common. It occurs to me that although we have progressed with our technology in this century, the overall sense of family and the children playing outside together seems to have almost vanished. The children playing outside and doing chores around the house appears to have kept them in better physical condition that most of today's children. These kids didn't need to go to a gym to stay in shape. I suspect that these ladies' children would look you in the eye when they talked to you instead of being preoccupied with punching buttons on a "smart" phone. I would have been happy to have had any of these three women as my grandmother.

My granddaddy was Welsh; he went to ivy league schools. He fell in love with a Cherokee woman, but we were not allowed to talk about where she came from. I found her on the native American rolls. Feels good to know what genetics led me to be more like her than those I was raised with.

im Appalachian. it's really pronounced appa-latch-ya. if anyone e was wondering. lol. we say " it's Appalachia, and if ya dont say it right I'll throw an apple atch-ya."

My Grandmother was born in 1913. My mother in 1945. They had a pride. A humility and their souls were intact. Grateful to be a son of good men and their fine women. We are for sure a lost people right now. I trust God does have a plan. These ladies are beauty defined. Many Thanks.

The smile after Mary Jane says "1914" is priceless and beautiful! Three amazing, strong and proud women. Definition of salt of the earth.

These ladies make me miss my great-grandma even more. I was blessed enough to have her until I was over 30 years old. If it had not been for her guidance and love.....But for the Grace of God. She lives in me.

We'd call them poor, but it is we who are poor. They were rich with life, songs and laughter - all the things that really mattered. Gone are those days.

Love this! Reminds me of my grandma. We are a mix of Irish and Cherokee on maternal side but my grandfather’s father came from Lebanon! Both grandparents were extremely hard working and very frugal with financing. 2 of many wise words were passed down to us kids 1) Waste not- want not!! 2) And idol hands are the devil’s workshop. But we also learned pride from anything other than hard work was sin. Technology has replaced tradition. That’s so sad!! Simplicity/ honesty/ humility/ kindness/loyalty/ modesty/ and most threatening is the decaying of FAMILY!!!! These are divine seeds that are all so sadly lost to hi tech and corporate cities / lost on greed and vanity. Seeds of respecting and learning from our elders is mocked and we can not recover from losing heritage!! The seeds today are planted upon shallow trampled on ground. No one is cultivating simple culture. 😞

The first lady has such a beautiful countenance. So modest yet strong and principled. The other ladies aren't far behind her. A real pleasure to hear their stories. We will never see their likes again - more's the pity.

Our government does not want us to know or understand our great heritages. We have always been a proud and prosperous nation of hard working god fearing men and women.

i remember in the 60s television always portrayed these people in a bad light. uneducated, backward, drinking , poor, etc...But one thing they always had..family ties which i envy them..and the wonderful country

I really enjoy history. My parents were older than these people and I'm a little younger. I saw many of the things growing up on a farm that they talk about. What I didn't see, my parents talked about. People weren't taking drugs and killing people. We just had a good time. We would have a peanut boiling and play games. There was always lots to do, fishing, hunting, etc. And we worked hard, too. It's sad that people can't enjoy a simple life today.

Three delightful ladies. My granny on my dad's side was just like them. She was Scotch/Irish mountain folks from Alabama. The main quality is their contentment. Seems that folks who complain the most are the ones who've had the easiest lives. Ladies like these seldom complain.

I'm from Wilkes County, NC.. and this is so how my grandparents were raised. It's pronounced App-a-latch-a where I'm from. I've always been proud of where I'm from and these mountains have produced strong men and women. It's a shame that the communities are not as cohesive as they used to be any more. I miss my mountains very much!

I don't know why.... this video made me so emotional. These three woman are so precious. I'm so glad I came across this documentary.

I could sit and listen to them gals for hours, God bless them.

Anyone here during the covid19?

Like the nice lady said "No fussin'" be respectful and honor our ancestors. Thank God for my Ancestors that lived in all three places.

What special Women. Its true about our elderly here...we dont seem to care that much...In 2020, its not only the elderly......Im headin that way.....give me the mountains!!......I could hang out, drink coffee n talk to beautiful elders like this everyday....KISS.....thank you for this awsome video

I love these 3 ladies. I could listen to them talk all day

I just love and respect these women!

Nothing but Respect to Grandma Swimmer!!

All these regional cultures have almost vanished with globalisation, technology and consumerism. A look into the past ! Great documentary.

That first lady puts me in the mind of mom. She died a little over a year and I miss her. Thank you for putting this up.

The first lady reminds me of my grandmother so much. I miss her. It's amazing how simple their lives are/were and how happy they were.

What an absolute gem to find on YT. Wonderful documentary!

We should learn from documentary's like this one. What makes the United States great is us no mater what our mix, we are Americans. In fact that should be one of the choices when we are ask to identify our "Nationality, color, or linage." My ancestors were Scott, Irish, English, French, German, Canadian Indian, and African." My dad immigrated when he was 18 years old, my mother's family arrived after the Mayflower. I am American, and all three of those women could of been my relation. Thank God for them, and thank God for you.

These marvelous women are a precious legacy -- their lives and their memories are so valuable, as one can see the positive interweaving of the Cherokee culture with the Scottish-Irish. Thank you so much for these wonderful videos!

My mother and father were from the south, this video brought back sweet memories of them and my grandmother who all lived much as these women did. I remember mom canned pretty much everything from corn to peaches. And she made the best pies and cakes west of the Mississippi. She made all our clothes and I remember we all had our chores to do. We played only after homework was done and on Saturdays only stayed inside until cartoons were over and then it was outside for the rest of the day. We had rules we were supposed to abide by and knew the consequences if we didn't. Mom recycled before recycling was the norm. I think much will be lost when these women are no longer with us and even more when my generation is gone. Children today have a "I don't have to do what you say" attitude whether it is with their parents or anyone in authority. They have no respect for their elders or for anyone in authority. When I was growing up as it was for my mother and her mother, you listened to what anyone older than you said. You didn't mouth off to them and if one curse word passed your lips, there was a handy bar of soap on hand to clean the foulness out of it with. I know times change, but sometimes not always for the better.

I have always been very proud of my Cherokee, Scott Irish bloodline and the Italian blood line as well. My mother always said that I was Heinz 57. A little bit of this and a little bit of that! Must be an the old expression from her youth. Hello to all the mountain people.

How touching, the first lady remembering that she was the little one. The power of a memory

This video reminded me of my childhood & my granny & great aunties. I was born in East Tennessee & spent majority of my childhood in Virginia. My granny and other relatives always had huge gardens and basements full of jars of veggies, fruits, jams, apple butter, pickles and so many goodies. I never left visiting any if my relatives without handfuls of jars. I miss that and this video sent me back to those wonderful years

Could listen to older people talk all day about past times. RIP lovely ladies.

All of my family are from these areas. These women remind me so much of my grand mothers and great aunts, Thanks so much for posting, brought tears to my eyes.

Watching this makes me wish I could just call my gramma and talk to her one more time! I’m so appreciative of the times that she did talk to me about her childhood and life, but I would kill for just one more story 💔

I am of Cherokee-German descent, My husband of Pawnee-Irish descent. These Ladies, These people are OUR kind of folks. Some of the best people I, or (We) know. Thank You HEAVENLY FATHER for every last one of them !

I could sit and listen to these ladies lives stories nonstop. Beautiful ladies.

My mom was 92 ,she died a few mos, ago of covid. My grandma was in her 80's I was in my 30's when she died. I was 16, when my great grandma died , she was 99. I loved their stories. They made their own lye soap, soap made from flowers. Canned, foraged for black berries, healing herbs. Both had wood stove cooked on, and heat. Had fruit trees, grapes. Smoke house for meats, made buttermilk, cottage cheese, they had a cold house that was built over a spring branch. Rocked inside with shelfs. And big rocks in the water to set stuff on. Am happy to have been with them in those days.

Even though these three beautiful Ladies are from a specific area in the USA. they could sit alongside my Grandmothers in Australia and compare the exact same stories of growing up self sufficient and strong and healthy. Yes it was hard but they all had glorious childhoods from the memories they related. How sad that from the past we have devolved and separated and almost seem completely different in this 'modern era". Thankyou for posting such a beautiful vid!!!

These women are fascinating.

Thank you for the stories. These are ladies are women I could spend the whole day with. Freedom is worth it all

To have lived back then,yes you worked for yourself,but you lived a way healthier life than today. The history of America that was never taught in school....The thing we will all miss one day. So unplug get outside,off the paved trail and see the real world. And to many LEARN from the elderly while you can. These lessons are not in a book !

Lovely, knowledgable ladies, great that their lives have been documented.❤

Thank you so much for this wonderful documentary. I enjoyed it so so much. I live in the Appalachian mtn of East Tn. My great grandparents were Scotts-Irish and also Cherokee Indian - like these women, I am also proud of my heritage. I really enjoyed learning how they each grew up with a strong work ethic and faith in God. These women are perfect role models to look to...they were hard working and led vibrant lives. I'm so glad they shared their stories with the rest of the world. All of us could learn from each of them.

Beautiful video of beautiful people! Thank you for posting this.

Brava! Cheers for giving a platform for these women to share their experiences. We need more films like this in the world - thank you!

I just wanna hug em they so sweet...

"Just have to walk"☺ Carry homemade lamps to walk to church even ,...natural plants for medicine....what an amazing life! And a healthy happy life, life well lived!❤

The life these ladies speak of, I'd take that over the hustle and bustle I current live. If I had a few million, these folks would still have lived far richer lives.

this vid made me realize how much culture weve lost. im cherokee-scotch/irish.

I keep this in my saved videos and watch it over and over. I grew up about an hour away from the mountains in Pennsylvania. My dad's family had these same values and experiences. I grew up in the 70's, and it was good, but wish I could have grown up when these women did. Thank you for a wonderful documentary.

Oh how I wish I could visit with these wonderful ladies and while away an afternoon. I hate for the vid to end .....that's the sign of a good story. And I sure enjoyed this one. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Born and raised in East Tennessee...lived most of my adult life in Townsend and Walland. It's so amazing to hear these women say things I was taught when I was young. My husband's Daddy always said you don't blow on potatoes or corn... but I think he also said okra and pole beans too. He was born in a little cabin on the River between Townsend and Walland. His grandfather was Big Will Walker. He's in every book you'll find on the people of this side of the mountains. You'd think I'd get tired or bored of hearing other people say the same things I've heard living here but, the older I get...the more it means to me. I loved this documentary.

Other than the confinement of space in the cities, women of their age all share an era. Hard work brought great satisfaction. Simple pleasures brought contentment and creativity was a past time. Family was the center of life. The Cherokee woman did mention that although all was good she just didn't have the sense of happiness any longer. Perhaps that is a by-product of age but they lived in a time that, although it was physically demanding, had a warmth and community that you just can't find today. Probably never will again. I wonder what our grandchildren and great grandchildren will hold dear when they reach the winter of their lives.

MAY OUR CREATOR HEAVENLY FATHER GOD BLESS THESE AMAZINGLY STRONG BEAUTIFUL KIND HEARTED WOMEN IN JESUS CHRIST POWERFUL HOLY NAME, AMEN

We have so much to gain from learning the ways of our grandmothers. Thank you for this video.

A beautiful documentary of American Women and the American way. We handle it ourselves, and build strength of character through the struggle. Lots of love to the pioneers of past and present.

Lovely documentary full of wonderful, wise women! The African-American and Cherokee Indian woman look very similar. I LOVE ALL OF THESE WOMEN! MAY THE LORD BLESS THEM AND KEEP THEM ALWAYS!

I loved this documentary....I have been called an old soul and listening to them made me long for a time I was not even part of. I have always felt I was born 100 years too late! How wonderful to have these sorts of programs so history won't be lost.

Wise, beautiful women! I love to hear a beautiful Seniors story❤️

Thank you for sharing! My family's from the mountains! Mom and dad ended up here in Indianapolis Indiana. They came to find work. Then my grandma and great grandma ended up here. Before great grandma moved up here she lived in a center block house with a coal burning stove. Now grandma preferred the city over the town where I grew up. It was an all white town and it scared her. They were persecuted in the south. They were only allowed to go into town once a year. They were also sent to concentration camps, yes, in the USA. :'( 20 people in my family were gassed to death and mom, pa, ma, grandma went through some horrific things. :'( Mom's side is Cherokee! This was western Kentucky. My grandma Lucy was from north Carolina and said my family came from over the mountains. She was Cherokee, Irish and some German. She ended up living in a middle class town in Ohio lol. But we always visited the mountains when I was growing up. I got to see where dad lived and it was just a little dirt room shack. I loved it down there. Even though I was born in Indianapolis the moutains are home to me. I was always asked if I was foreign or half Japanese lol. I said no, my family's from the south and I'm part native American lol! Thanks again for sharing this. I miss my grandmas and great grandma. I miss my step grandpas too! We come from an entirely different world. Even though we're up here now, we're still free in our soul and spirit! We still love our country! That's the power of forgiveness! You can leave the mountains but you can't take the mountains out of us! We're a peculiar people and I am also very proud of my heritage! Thanks again for sharing!

"Precious memories how they linger, how they ever soothe my soul" - george jones

i grieve for not being brought up like this. i am determined to live a simple life before i got to the grave

and they say huh. I'm a Maliseet Native from Canada. We respected our parents and elders back the 60's. very beautiful baskets 👍

Amazing stories of Americana.

Never a dull moment while growing up Scots- Irish. Grab a plow, wagon or broom and get to work.

I wish I had the opportunity to hear the stories of early years of my Grandmother's life or even the chance to have met my Grandfather and listen to him tell me his stories. I miss those opportunities and am glad to hear these Ladies.

I wish my grandmother could be on here. I have heard stories from her and I never realized she lived that way. I couldn't believe the things she knows

Truly BEAUTIFUL women , each and every one of them. My family lived down there a long time ago and I did about 40 years ago. They were the Scot Irish. All in all I think those mountain's brought us some of the finest, hard working people who ever lived and I deeply respect them. Thank you all for your wonderful stories.

This is my heritage; born and raised in Southern Virginia. My grandfather was full blooded Scot and grandmother was full blooded Cherokee out of North Carolina. My father was full blooded Irish and Mom was more Cherokee since the bloodline was passed down from her mom. My mom practiced the Cherokee customs and put full attention to the family. My father was told to go when I was 3.

Wow. These women had a lot of kids. They are all darling and make me appreciate the simpler life.

Love this simple life and how hard working and resourceful they were.

And I bet no one was overweight or obese like so many Americans today are, they raised their own food, (we have a garden but need to do more), they were very physically active, anyone that would look down on them or consider them poor? They seem very rich in tradition, faith, love, and self sufficient in a way so many people today could not even imagine...

I see my ancestors reflected in all of their faces. Their stories are amazing and beautiful. They are three strong women that could teach us a thing or two!

This is just a marvelous documentary, well done these are three gems.

Beautiful story about loving honest people..enjoyed every moment and proud to be American as they are..

I loved this documentary, my family hails from Macon county in the Cartoogechaye community, and I grew up with women like this feeding and caring for me. Thank you so much!

the Cherokee have lived in Appalachian forever most the Cherokees people never left Appalachian medicine turtle Cherokee. Appalachian mountains are the home of the Cherokee

I love these stories and how they speak about their families with so much love and respect for one another. They were such hard workers and even though they didn't have much schooling but they were pretty smart people.

What a beautiful documentary. We all can learn a lot from these awesome ladies. Great job! Loved it!

Great documentary! Thank you so much for letting us get a sense of these Appalachian mountain women and their way of life. It is so special to hear their stories. It's been a privilege.

RIP to all these ladies