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Where Do I Begin? A Native American Genealogy Primer - Part 1

© Bluedolphin Crow

This is the number one question I receive. So many people want to jump in and find their Native American Roots today. However, you must begin with a solid foundation before you can just delve into the native history of your family.

In my first article: Native American Genealogy 101, I have outlined the way to establish a strong foundation and to find a piece of missing information that you would like to start with. Please review that article before moving forward. You can find it here: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/nati...

All right, let's roll up our sleeves and get started.

First some terms you must become familiar with:

Dawes Final Rolls: this is the roll of Indians that was created by Congress for each of the Five Civilized Tribes, which are: Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek and Seminole. This roll was closed in 1907 with 101,000 names on it. However, Congress added 312 names in 1914. If you are a descendant of one of these tribes you have to prove your relation to someone on the rolls in order to become a member of the tribe. This is also a great place to begin if you don't know what tribe you are descended from.

Henderson Rolls: This is a Census Roll of Cherokee Indians East of the Mississippi for 1835.

Guion Miller Rolls: This roll was completed in 1910 and lists those who were Eastern Cherokee during the Treaties of 1835-36 and 1845 or their descendants.

U.S. Federal Census: The United States began taking a census in ten year increments in the year 1790. The Census Records for 1790-1850, however, did not include a category for Indians. For an Indian to be listed during those years they had to have been living in a white or black settlement and even then they would have been listed as white or black. In 1860 Indians were included in the Census but only if they paid taxes. In 1870 non-tax paying Indians were added but it wasn't until 1890 that anyone living on a reservation was added to the Census. Unfortunately, the entire 1890 Census was destroyed by fire so 1900 is the first real Census to include Indians both on and off the reservation.

Agency Rolls: Various reservation agents throughout the country created membership rolls for the tribes in their areas.

You will be using the Dawes Final Rolls for ancestors that were members of one of the Five Civilized Tribes. For ancestors that were from other tribes in other areas you will need to locate them on the 1900 US Census or other membership rolls.

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