When you start researching your family, it’s normal to begin with, basic records–census and vital records. But you also want to find sources unique to your ancestor’s ethnic group, nationality, religion or geographic area.
Genealogical Resources
Many people wonder how to find Native American ancestry and the tribe they belong. They may have a family tradition that their grandparent was part Indian but did not belong to a tribe, they are working on their family tree and have just discovered a Native American ancestor, or they are simply curious about their roots. The BIA also has records of heirship proceedings, where an Indian person’s property was dispersed after they died. The heirship cases often contain great details about a family, including the names of relatives and spouses. Visiting your local library or other repositories is also a good idea. These will often have books on the history of tribal territories and tribal cultures, and migration patterns. They will also have basic research techniques and guides that can be useful in tracing AI/AN ancestors.
Other sources include the Census Bureau or the National Archives and Records Administration. These can be very helpful in tracing your ancestors’ locations and birth, marriage and death dates. You may be surprised at how much information is contained in just a few pieces of paperwork and how easily that information can be used to build your family tree. Some records, such as a census, do not contain clues about the informant, but if they are compared with other sources, it can give you valuable insight into your ancestor’s life.
Tribal Records
Tribal records are the records that Indian tribes keep on themselves, and they can be a very valuable tool for finding your Native American heritage. These records often include family histories, stories and documents you can use to trace your ancestors. They can also tell you about the culture and religion of your ancestors’ tribal members. These can vary from tribe to tribe, but some common characteristics include matrilineal descent (meaning that children belonged to their mothers’ clan or tribe), a strong sense of identity, and a preference for living off-reservation. The US government has been trying to document its American Indian ancestors since the 1880s, and there are massive collections of records that can help you find them. These records are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) research facilities, the Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other federal departments. These records can help you identify your ancestors’ tribe and locality of residence at the right periods and may contain other helpful information. If your ancestor was a member of a Native American tribe, you could often search their records online, if available. Alternatively, you can contact a local historian who is familiar with Native American history and ask if they have any Indian-related records that would be of interest to you. Many historical societies have collections of tribal records and other genealogical materials.
Federal Records
One of the most effective ways to trace your Native American heritage is to use Federal records. These can be found at the National Archives and other major research facilities. There are several types of records you can search for, including federal censuses and Indian school rolls. You can also search tribal records, archival materials and other sources that may help you find your ancestors. The census is a great starting point because it gives clues about when and where your ancestors lived. It will also give you information about their neighbors, family members and economic status. It will help you determine the type of record you need to search for. Another record to look for is the Indian school roll which lists Indian children ages 6 to 18 and their parents or guardians, as well as tribal blood, sex, distance from home, and school attendance. These records are available on microfilm at the FHL and NARA regional facilities. Other Federal records that can be useful in tracing your Native American heritage include church, military and school records. These records will tell you what denominations operated missions on or near reservations and may lead to registers of sacrament recipients, missionary correspondence, school records and mission or denominational newspapers. There are also numerous state and local historical society collections, county histories, and USGenWeb resources that can help identify tribes and their members. These sources can also help you pinpoint the location of your ancestors when they moved to a new area.
Local Records
There are many resources to find your Native American heritage, including church and school records, county courthouses, archives and other repositories. These are often a great place to start your research because they will contain a wide variety of information, from birth and death certificates to property conveyances and wills. Local records are important for any family historian because they provide clues to who your ancestors were, where they came from and what tribes they belonged to. You can also trace tribal membership enrollments by visiting the Bureau of Indian Affairs field offices in selected areas. These are current rather than historic tribal membership enrollment rolls and are not accompanied by supporting documentation for each individual on the list.
In addition to these records, you can search newspapers archived in a state or country where your ancestors came from. Newspapers are a valuable source for finding your ancestors because they often carry a lot of detail about people in the area. Regional libraries and historical societies in your ancestors’ hometown can be another useful resource for finding your ancestors, especially if they belong to a particular tribe that once lived there. They can provide you with a wealth of information, including records of missions on or near Indian reservations.
