Native American

When researching Native American ancestors, it is important to learn the history of the Indian tribe.

It is also important to look for family groups. A lot of people had the same name. Often you won’t be able to tell if that was your ancestor unless you can connect him with another member of the family.

1900 and 1910 census included separate Indian schedules.

The Dawes Commission Rolls lists members of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole) between 1898 and 1914.

• The Dawes Commission rejected 2/3rds of the applications for tribal membership.
• Earlier 1896 applications have been declared invalid – NARA’s Fort Worth regional facility has microfilm indexes for those rejected as Cherokee or Choctaw.

Note: For autosomal DNA tests, it is unlikely that American Indian roots will show up if your Indian ancestors is farther than five or so generations.

Useful Websites

• 1885 Choctaw Census
• Access Genealogy
  • Contains the 1839 Drennen Rolls – the first enumeration of Indians after the Trail of Tears.
• Allen Public Library – Native American Gateway
• American Indian Genealogy – family search wiki
• BIA Guide to Tracing Your American Indian Ancestors
• Cherokee by Blood
• Forgotten Patriots: African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War
• Eastern Cherokee Roll of 1909
• Fold3
  • Native American records are listed under “other records.”
  • Hint: All rolls are organized by tribe.
• Kansas Native American Genealogy
• Maps of Indian Territory
• Maps of US Indians by State
• National Archives – Researching American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• Native American Data
• Native American Mustered into Service in the U.S. War of 1812
• Native Web
• OK History – 98% of Oklahoma newspapers have been preserved.
• OK/IT GenWeb covers the twin territories of Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
• Wyandot Tribal Roll 1867