How to Trace Your Indian Heritage
People trace their Native American ancestry for different reasons from verifying family lore to gaining enrollment in a recognized tribe. Whatever your reason for tracing your Native American heritage, the process for conducting the search is the same. Following your ancestral path backward is a genealogical journey that begins with you and then establishes and authenticates generational connections through official documentation such as government or church records.
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Instructions
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Research
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1
Use family group charts to record what you know for as many generations back as you can. Begin with yourself and your immediate family. Include information about each person's birth, marriage and death.
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Arrange to have access to genealogical databases either on the Internet or in archival repositories such as the National Archives, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and your local historical museum. Some of the sites are free while others charge a fee. The National Archives and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have both an Internet presence and branch locations across the county. Check your local library for information on the closest local historical museum.
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Identify the line (maternal or paternal) that you believe has Native American ancestry and use the records in the genealogical databases, particularly the census, to search for any missing pieces (information and people) on your family group charts.
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4
Determine your ancestor's tribal affiliation and learn about its history. The National Archives recommends these resources:
"The Indian Tribes of North America"; John R. Swanton
"A Guide to the Indian Tribes of Oklahoma"; Muriel H. Wright
"The Indians of Texas"; W. W. Newcomb, Jr.
"American Indians"; William T. Hagan
"A History of the Indians of the United States"; Angie Debo
"The American Indian: Prehistory to the Present"; Arrell Gibson
"A Bibliographical Guide to the History of Indian-White Relations in the United States"; Francis Paul Prucha -
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Begin an in-depth search of official Native American records--such as the Dawes Rolls, Guion Miller Rolls and Fort Branch National Archives--for your ancestor's name.
Documentation
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Order a copy of your own birth certificate from the city and state where you were born and, if married, order your marriage certificate from the appropriate state. Include the date and location of the event with any other pertinent information that will focus the state's search. These records are your first documentary link that authenticates your connection to the line you are researching.
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Order copies of your parents' marriage and birth certificates from the appropriate states. These records authenticate your second generational connection though your parents to your grandparents.
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Continue to collect the vital statistics records for each generation back to the person you believe to be Native American.
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Tips & Warnings
Most official state records began after the 1870s, with some as late as the early 1900s. In such cases, substitute baptismal records or other church records for vital statistic records to authenticate your genealogical connection to your Native American ancestor.
