Berber Emigration to the Americas

[swvawired]

I am researching the history of the Berbers and their emigration to North America in the 17th
century. There are Americans that have lived in America for 300 years that have the physical
characteristic of the Berber of North Africa. These people have female given names that
not of English/Euopean origin. I believe they are Berber/Moor names with Spanish spellings.
I would like to know if anyone with knowledge of Berber female names would recognize
any of the names below. I got these names from the 1860 US census. Please help by
writing your opinions.

Permelia Permelia Celia Navesta

Celia Oalessa* Orleua* Orlena*

Comelia

Mahala

Zer(n)ilda

Juda

Vesta

Oapha

Siressa

Perlina

Juda

Hulda

Celia

Parolle

Cordelia

Conilia

Hiley

Hiley

Darcas

Darcas

Avy/Aoy

Zilphia Marena

Caladonia Salina

Omia Martelia

Lonaza Arta

Loxy Clarinda

Almedia Orlena

Elenira Orpha

Isabella Cordelia

Lelilia

Rosetick

Martelia

Omia

Marinda

Armon

Avy

Lavina

Orphy

Zilphy

Armon

Ceily

Arty

Persia

[Arwen]

Interesting....I shall see what information I can find.

[swvawired]

I have been viewing the Imazighen Morocco video on YouTube to learn. I have not found an explanation for why the Berber of the Atlas Mtn are dark but many others who say they are Imazighen are more white and fair skinned. They have different facial features also. Is one European?? One looks Semitic/Arabic .
I have searched the internet but can learn no explanation.

[morocconow]

many of the berbers from the atlas region have more of an asian feature without the slender eyes. they probably have asian origins, than again the berbers from the sahara region are darker. many debates still going on about the origins of berbers.

[morocconow]

ps: Being berber I should know better right? lol

[swvawired]

From all I have seen the 'origin' of the Berber is North Africa. They have always been there. At least since the Tower of Babel.
I live in SW Virginia and I have shown photos of Berber from the internet to people here. The majority agree that if these Berber were walking down the street in local clothing they would not stand out. They would blend it. I can say surely that I would not look at them and think they were foreigners. That is also true for Germans of Europe. FOR THE SAME REASON ! It is NOT true for Brits, French, or any other group in Europe or Africa. This strongly suggest that some natives to SW VA have Berber ancestory. There are natives to SW VA that have moderately dark skin, very black hair, and blue/green eyes and they have been here for over 200 years.