How to Find Out If You Have Native History in Your Family

If you want to find out whether or not you have Native American history in your family, there are several resources you can turn to at the local and federal levels, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Features

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, or BOI, suggests starting a search for Native ancestry by conducting research at home. Talk to older relatives to gather a list of ancestor's names and write down those names, as well as dates and locations of birth, marriage and death.

Resources

You can contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics in your state's capital to obtain copies of birth, death and marriage certificates from the turn of the century to the present day. For searches prior to 1890, a valuable federal resource is the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Once you have identified your tribal affiliation, you can consult the National Archives' Native American collection of census and school records.

Considerations

The Bureau of Indian Affairs notes on its website that most of its field offices do not keep individual records on native ancestry, and does not conduct genealogical research for the public. In order to document native history for membership purposes, you will need to produce documentation, such as birth certificates, to prove you have ancestors in a federally recognized tribe.

References

• US Department of the Interior: Trace Indian Ancestry
• US Department of the Interior: Doing the Genealogical Research

Resources

• The National Archives