How to Find Out About My Native American Ancestors

Proving Native American ancestry is a challenging task.

Researching Native American ancestors is a challenging undertaking. Depending on what your research goals are, it can take years. Even if you determine that an ancestor was a member of a Native American tribe, it does not guarantee that you will be recognized as a member of that nation. Each Native American tribe has their own qualifications for recognition. In order to obtain tribal benefits, your ancestors must have been a member of one of the "Five Civilized Tribes." These include Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole and Choctaw

Things You'll Need

• Names of potential Native American ancestors
• Location of potential Native American ancestors
• Access to Dawes Rolls
• Access to Indian Census data
• Tribal affiliations

Instructions

1. Start with the ancestor of Native American descent that is closest to you. For example, if your grandmother and great-grandmother were both of Native American descent, start your research with your grandmother. Write down the full name, address (or location), birth date and place, death date and place and the names of any children. Do this for each ancestor of Native American descent.

2. Determine possible tribal affiliations by examining your ancestor's place of residence. Find out if they lived on a reservation or if they lived close to tribal lands. U.S. Census records, especially the Indian census rolls, 1885 to 1940, are a good place to start. Once you have traced your ancestor back to the 1890s, check to see if they are listed on the Dawes Rolls -- an enumeration of all Native Americans.

3. Check for tribal citizenship records located in the Dawes Commission record group, available on microfilm at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

4. Create a well-documented direct line of descent (pedigree) from your Native American ancestor to yourself. This will include all birth records, marriage records, documented children, death records, census records and tribal records. Certified copies should be obtained whenever possible.

5. Contact the tribal nation of your Native American ancestor. Ask them what is required for citizenship, if that is what you desire. Most nations will not accept you if you are less than a quarter Native American blood. Some nations have the requirement that your ancestor must have lived on a reservation during the period of 1920 to 1930. All recognized tribes require your ancestor's name appear on the Dawes Rolls.

Tips & Warnings

• It is extremely difficult to gain citizenship to one of the Five Recognized Tribes, even with a properly documented pedigree.

• Do not waste your money on DNA testing for Native American ethnicity. DNA evidence is not recognized by the tribal nations as proof of Native American blood.

References

• National Archives: Native American Research