Melungeon Voices S4 E4 – Aaron Collins
( podcast episode, audio )
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- UPDATED: 8.10.2025
- status: to be worked, high-priority
- Melungeons, Culture
- burial, cemetery, Presbyterian mission, brandy, moonshine, culture, religion, tri-racial isolate, grave houses
date:
10.27.2023
length:
31 min
podcast:
presenter:
producer:
Lis Malone (Lis Malone LLC)
host:
Heather Andolina (MHA President)
guest:
Aaron Collins
notes:
. . .
description:
Aaron Collins is an amateur genealogist and researcher. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, and minor in Appalachian Studies. He served twelve years in the US Army reserves. Earlier this year, Aaron started his own business, Left Handed Guy Upholstery and Woodworking.
Aaron is a descendant of “Old” Benjamin Collins via his maternal grandfather. He spent his formative years visiting his Mamaw and Papaw in Sneedville, TN. Additionally, Aaron is on the Board of Directors for the Vardy Community Historical Society in Sneedville, TN. Aaron lives with his husband and two dogs in Knoxville, TN.
In this episode, Aaron and Heather discuss Melungeon ancestry, the Melungeon settlement of Vardy Valley/Newman’s Ridge, and how one can research their own Melungeon heritage.
For more information on the Vardy Community Historical Society visit them on the web here: https://www.vardymuseum.org/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Aaron is a descendant of “Old” Benjamin Collins via his maternal grandfather. He spent his formative years visiting his Mamaw and Papaw in Sneedville, TN. Additionally, Aaron is on the Board of Directors for the Vardy Community Historical Society in Sneedville, TN. Aaron lives with his husband and two dogs in Knoxville, TN.
In this episode, Aaron and Heather discuss Melungeon ancestry, the Melungeon settlement of Vardy Valley/Newman’s Ridge, and how one can research their own Melungeon heritage.
For more information on the Vardy Community Historical Society visit them on the web here: https://www.vardymuseum.org/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
ancestors: