There were many people of Native American Heritage who never registered on any  rolls, as they may not have wanted to leave their lands, extended families,  and friends.  Many had become part of the leadership, and held offices in  towns, and had become just a part of the big melting pot of the America  experience.  It was believed that the Smith/Russell/Maxwell lineageof the  Southeast were part Indian, probably Choctaw or Creek. Mary Maxwell Russell,  who married George W. Ivy was believed to be from these lines, although no  American Indian Roll registration from any of her family has been found by  this researcher.  It is believed to have been through a full blooded Native  American woman named Sally Sarah Perkins, daughter of Betsy Laughing Water,  who married a Smith.  All of this is unsubstantiated, but with my recent DNA  test results, based on female lineage,(mtDNA) the link to Native American  Heritage has been established.