Although the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, originated hundreds of miles north in present-day New York, its influence reached far south into Virginia through diplomacy, migration, trade, and intertribal kinship. The Haudenosaunee not only reshaped Indigenous relations in the mid-Atlantic but also inspired democratic ideas that later influenced Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution.

Her love for family, her determination to preserve history, and her gift of connection made her the heartbeat of the Tann family story during her lifetime. This article honors her work as a family historian, the legacy she left behind, and the next generation’s responsibility to keep nourishing the roots she cared for so deeply.

From the ancient earthworks that gave Circleville its name to the hardworking families who settled here—like Dennis Tann and his wife Frances Jones—the story of this community is rich, layered, and very much alive today. Let’s take a friendly walk through time and explore how this unique Ohio town came to be.

In 2026, we will come together in a spirit of remembrance and unity for the Tann–Vanderhorst Family Reunion, a gathering that promises more than smiles and good food. It is a homecoming, a bridge between our past and our future, and a celebration of the love that connects us across miles and generations.

Imagine being born on the very land where your ancestors lived for thousands of years, only to be told by the government that you weren’t officially a citizen of the country that grew around you. That was the reality for countless Indigenous people. They lived here, worked here, paid taxes, and even served in wars—yet full recognition was withheld.

Preserving Kikotan heritage is not about dwelling on the past. It’s about honoring truth. It’s about ensuring that when we talk about American history, we don’t only tell the story of the settlers but also of the people who were here before them.

Bridges serve a clear function: they connect. They shorten distances and create pathways where none existed before. Whether spanning a river, a canyon, or a busy highway, a bridge makes it possible to reach the other side safeWhen it comes to researching family history, the same principle applies. Every unconnected branch in your family tree is like a shore on the opposite side of the river—visible but out of reach. Without a bridge, you might admire it from afar, but you can

This is more than just a question of names and dates. It’s about uncovering heritage, understanding our ancestors’ journeys, and preserving a story that was almost erased from history. Whether you’ve been researching the Tann family for years or you’re just beginning to trace your roots, this connection is a thread worth following.

Each new generation has the power to choose—to walk away from the past or to walk back toward it with open eyes and a willing heart. The Kikotan may have been forced into silence, but their story is not over. It is still being written—by you, by us, and by all who dare to remember.

Anthony Tann, a Native interpreter whose name is rarely found in the history books, but whose presence at a crucial meeting between Shawnee leader Tecumseh and Indiana Territorial Governor William Henry Harrison may have shaped the course of history.