*1.1. Belongingness and Appalachian Identity*

Belongingness is a term we use to describe the identity of those whose cultural origin is West Virginia, either by birth or location, or those who leave their birth place for economic survival, but make pilgrimages back "home." Although Appalachia can be described as an immigrant-based region, there is a disconnection between that history and a kind of geopiety of belonging to the place. An outsider can achieve "belongingness," but it requires years of being rooted in the community and being recognized for service by those "born and bred" in the Almost Heaven. We have combined the emic/etic perspectives to this service with the realization that neither birth nor service to the community removes these boundaries in our work, since we do not belong to a coal mining community. Belonging is atomistic for Appalachia. There is no centered source of community authority, although

social role does provide some initial access, such as those of a pastor, a governor, or a president.
