Trace Your Native American Roots
Frankie Davis is President of American Ancestors, full-blooded Navajo Indian and enrolled in the Navajo Nation. American Ancestors is located in Provo, Utah.
Learn More About This AuthorFavorite Genealogy Quote
We are the sum total of our Ancestors, rolled into one whole, without one of our Ancestors we would not exist. - Alex Haley
There are a countless number of Americans curious about their unproven Native American descent. Many are daunted by the task of digging in deeper, and don't know where to start. Here you'll learn practical tips to begin tracing your Native American heritage. If you want to learn more, many links to free websites are provided.
There are several reasons that you might believe that you are part Native American. Here are a few:
- Your living relatives are members of a tribe.
- A family story or tradition has been passed down signifying your ancestors were Native American.
- You have a photograph of an ancestor that looks Native American.
- You have a Native American artifact that has been passed down.
- You have done genealogical research and found that your ancestors are Native American.
- You have taken a DNA test and the result indicates you are Native American.
Unless a family story or tradition can be proven, Native American heritage should not be considered fact. Because of the severe persecution that they endured, many Native Americans attempted to blend in with the white population and may even be documented as "white" in historical records. Therefore, it can be extremely difficult for a researcher to find any evidence of Native American ancestry in official records.
Start Your Search
- Compile a family tree of all your ancestors. Be sure to document your sources thoroughly.
- Interview family members. Ask them if they recall any stories of Native American ancestry.
- Check surname message boards for each of your ancestors. Search using keyword terms such as Cherokee, Indian, or any other tribal name if applicable.
What Tribe Did Your Ancestor Belong To?
There are thousands of Native American tribes throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Most of these tribes have ceased to exist as tribal entities--however there are over 500 federally recognized tribes still present in the United States. These tribes then consist of many different bands. For a list of federally recognized tribes click here.
First, identify an ancestor who you suspect to be of Native American decent. If you know where he or she lived this may help you determine which tribe he or she belonged to. Be aware, many tribes occupied several different areas and other tribes migrated to new areas over time. Most of the tribes in the United States ended up in what is today the eastern half of Oklahoma.
Two other excellent sources of information about Native American ancestors are obituaries and county historical records. These are often available online for a fee. Otherwise, check local newspapers, and public record offices.
Government Records
Federally recognized tribes have requirements for membership. These requirements normally include blood descent from a member of a "base roll". The U.S. Department of the Interior defines a base roll as: "the original list of members as designated in a tribal constitution or other document specifying enrollment criteria." The Dawes Rolls are examples of base rolls. Search an index of the Dawes Rolls for free here.
Be aware, there are hundreds of thousands of names on these rolls. If you find a name that matches an ancestor, don't automatically assume that you're related. This is especially true if your ancestor had a common name. Once you identify a person you think might be your ancestor, look up their Tribal Card to deduce more information about that individual.
The Cherokee Nation requires direct descent from the Dawes Rolls (this proves your degree of Native American blood or "blood quantum"). The Dawes rolls were established to integrate the Indians into white society by allocating each qualified applicant a 160 acre allotment. Some Native Americans declined to sign the rolls because they were distrustful of the United States government. Once you can prove your decent from the Dawes Rolls you may be issued a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Other records that might help with your search: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Department of the Interior has census records that deal with tribal members; most were created between 1885 and 1945. The BIA also maintained vital records, school enrollment records, and more.
If your ancestors are from the West Coast, there are the California Judgment Rolls of 1932, 1952, 1972. 1932 (other states have their own rolls).
Many copies of these original documents may be viewed at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT and at the National Archives Records Administration (NARA), in Washington, D.C.
Can I Be Enrolled?
You must qualify for tribal enrollment. Most tribes only have one or two people handling a massive number of enrollment applications. This means you must carefully prepare your application, and make sure to include all required elements. Most tribes require supporting evidence proving you are a direct descendant of a base roll member. This often means you must include a copy of birth and/or death certificates linking you to your ancestor.
There are many advantages to being enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Scholarships and medical assistance for tribal members are common.
Hire A Professional
Native American research is extremely difficult because of the scarce information available. It can even be a challenge for professional genealogists. If you are interested in having a professional help you trace you Native American lineage, I would recommend only hiring someone who specializes in Native American research.
Other Resources
This article serves as a brief introduction for those who are interested in researching their Native American roots. Use the additional links below to continue your research:
- The Dawes Rolls
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Native American Genealogy Links
- Online Native American Records
(11) Reader Comments
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This short piece is very clearly presented but it's just too basic to qualify as an "expert series." I fear it will only frustrate readers. Did you know, for example, that the Guion Miller Roll 1906/09 for the Eastern Cherokee had 46,000 people apply and that the roll offers many testimonies as to how the people claim their Cherokee blood? It's also important to note that today some Cherokee tribes are recognized by a state government but not by the federal. My heart goes out to all Natives seeking their roots. A Cherokee, I was the first person in the modern world to walk the 900 mile route of the Cherokee Trail of Tears. My book about that journey, WALKING THE TRAIL, was first published in 1991 by Delacorte Press and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Still in print, it is required reading in some schools nationwide. I have lectured about the Cherokee in Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA. In April, 2010 I will be speaking at the University of Alabama.
We did not walk the walk but we feel the pain I'm the great grand son and also my wife is the grand daughter of Geechees we are called from Georga,tennessee, carolina So many of you want to be big business native american casino now but remember we were given away not excepted by the Blacks nor the Reds.Geechees you start this Cherokee for the Whites squaws and money who are you!!!
I am looking for some information about my grandfather sven sigvard jakob jacobsson, bor´n in sweden 1903 9th of may.He lived in usa until 1966 but he became a swedish member again in 1973. I am curios about if there are any relatives in usa. I dont now if he was married or had any child in usa. I only now ´that he worked i us navy as a engineer. Where can I get some more information about where he lived his years in usa. Best reegards Lis Linnberg
I am looking for info on Amerish Almeda Harris-Vickers. I think she was half Indian. Born 10-9-1861 died 1-4-1940. Came from Alabama.HER Mothers name Clara Harris - Father - Claborne Harris. I think they were from Kentucky. I have a death certificate but have been unable to get birth certificate. She is my Grandmother - A relative told me she thought she changed her name from Amerish to America. I live in Texas. Thanks for any info I can find.
Seeking info on Sarah Elizabeth Brooks 1842-1914.
Claiborne, Tenn. Family history speaks of Cherokee
My problem is my father looked indian and everyone who meets me says "you must have indian in you..." so I traced my family back as far as 1764, Thomas Campbell. I can't find parents or anything except birth and death dates and locations. None of my ancestors appear on the rolls but yet they all were born in the North Carolina , Kentucky, Tennessee area. Can you help direct me in a direction I might find some answers?
Thank you for your comments on the above reply - Native American research. I know where to look and have documentation (rejected Dawes / Guion Miller apps). It does not change the fact that the family pictures 1800-1999 are indian faces. Can it get any more frustrating!! I think it will....looks as though DNA is the only thing left to do.
My experience and research still tells me that you have to start with your self and work backwords by generations until you discover as much as you can about the people in each generation; where they lived; how they earned a living; what they believed; what they wore as clothing; and how the fed themselves. You cannot jump back 5 generations and come forward and know for sure that you are researching the correct ancestors. There are many ways to spell a surname or a one-word name. A lot of these people could not read or write although the Cherokees could as early as 1800's. For instance, when they had to give a name to a muster roll agent or a military or government official, they would often give the name they heard someone else use and not use their own name. It's not fast and it is hard. It took me 15 years to get the records I have recorded on my Cherokees and it was hard. I didn't not settle for hearsay or picutres. The information is there, we just have to find it.
Tell us what you have discovered and maybe we can give you some specific answers to your querry.
Kate 9373
All of this info is great although I too believe that thuis is a very general item. My grandmother, Louise Hart Jones was Cherokee, from her grandmother on her mother's side Jaquitha /Smith and from Mary Rose KY on her father's side.. They were from NW Arkansas. On the other side my father says his family are mostly Cherokee from NE TN. It appears from what I can find is that my mother's people probably said they were white (probably so they wouldn't have to move). I can't find anything on any of them that indicated Cherokee. If any of you know of a researcher who specializes in Cherokee ancestry please let me know.
Jeanetta
All of this informatio
yes i have that same thing i thank im native american becouse my dad is verry dark with the high cheek bones you know . can you tell my how to see about this it wood be nice to know where i came from .thank you for your time.[ carol kimbrell]
What DNA test is the best to ascertain Native American Ethnicity?I understand from my father that his grandfather,a part-time sheriff in Staunton Virginia around early 20th century was married to a Native American Blackfoot woman.His name was Bill Davis.I am eager to find out more online if I can.I also hope to connect with my Staunton relatives,if they are willing to contact me.