How to Find Your Indian Ancestors
Everyone wants to know where they come from. Due to better birth records over the past few hundred years, many people can trace back their ancestors to other lands far away. Perhaps you've heard that you have some Native American---or Indian---ancestors. That is always an exciting and curious discovery, but how can you prove it is true? How can you know how to trace back to your Indian roots?
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Instructions
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Find out as much as you can about the ancestors that are known about in your family. Names, tribal connections and affiliations are very important in determining your Indian ancestry. Interview family members to acquire the knowledge you seek. Ask important questions such as your ancestor's affiliations, or what state they may have come from. Also, any documents or photographs related to your ancestor will come as a great help as you narrow down your search.
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Go to the Native American Genealogy Website or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Use these sites to narrow your search to an exact tribe your ancestor was in and e-mail any Native American representative if you need more direction.
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Go to the American Indian Resource Directory, once you know the tribe of your ancestor, to help you narrow down some more information such as potential location of the tribe. It may be that you will have to contact some Native Americans directly to find out if they knew your ancestor. If you ancestor came from a reservation, then someone will likely remember them.
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Have a DNA test done. These tests can help you determine if you have Native American genetic markers.
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Keep track of all of your findings in a family tree, and connect with others in your family who keep similar information. As you go on this great journey to find your ancestors, you may start to see your family tree fall into place.
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Tips & Warnings
Knowing that you have Indian ancestors is an exciting discovery, but due to lack of records and birth certificates, you may have a hard time tracing your ancestry. Just keep in mind that this is an ongoing journey, and you should treasure each discovery as you would a piece of gold.
