Researching Your Ancestry
Purpose of Membership and Enrollment
Individuals seek tribal affiliation for a variety of reasons - the preservation of culture and traditions, financial aid for college, health care benefits…Requirements for tribal membership are determined by the individual tribe and usually set forth in the tribal constitution and ordinances.
Sources of Information
The following information has been gathered from a variety of sources including information provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian, 9th edition, by Barry T. Klein, Todd Publications, NY, copyright 2000.
Making Contact
It is suggested that when making contact with organizations or individuals you do so in writing so they have a copy of the information you are looking for in front of them when responding. Keep a copy for yourself so you have a copy of who you have contacted and received a response from. Remember to include your name, phone number with area code, complete mailing address, and e-mail address if applicable. This is particularly important when requesting information via e-mail since many peoples' aliases are not their name.
On Your Own
Do not begin your research in Indian records. Start with yourself and work backward. If you're not currently a member of a federally recognized tribe, research should begin in public, non-Indian records. Vital information includes names, dates, and places. Check government offices, churches, schools, hospitals, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, baptism records, bibles, local cemeteries, town records, tribal records, military records, public and university libraries, newspapers, etc. Civil records such as deeds, wills, and property conveyances may also be helpful. Look for family diaries, letters, scrapbooks, pictures, and baby books. Talk to older relatives who may have information that will probably be lost when they pass on. Other family members may be working on your family history as well, check and work with them.
Public and university libraries are good sources of information on specific Indian tribes as well as information on how to do genealogical research. Information regarding private genealogical organizations may be available as well.
Sources of Contact
The State Bureau of Vital Statistics
Usually located in the State capitol, the SBVS can provide copies of birth certificates and other legal documents if you provided them with the name, date, place of birth and your relationship to that person. Be aware that records may be limited (governments did not keep birth and death records until the turn of the century.)
The Bureau of the Census Federal Center
Attn: Demographics
Suitland, MD 20233
Phone: 301-763-2607
Fax: 301-763-3862.
www.census.gov
The Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
Web sites
www.genhomepage.com—there are several links on this site. Under North American Genealogical Research link there is an extensive list under the American Indian link. There are also researchers available for a fee listed under the Commercial Services link. Two specifically list Native American research - CW Enterprise, which does research at the National Archives in Washington, DC and American Genealogical Consultants.
www.familysearch.org—Free family history software is available on this site.
www.museum.gov.ns.ca/musdir/dartmouthfamilyhistorycenter.htm—This is the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints facility. Lists the address. Call to verify hours.
The National Archives Records and Administration
Genealogy
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MN 20740-6001
Phone: 866-272-6272
Website: www.archives.gov/geneaology
The Native American collection contains special censuses, school, and allotment records. Request microfilm publication (M1791) titled American Indian Censuses, The Special Census of Indians, 1880. A brochure describing the branch offices as well as the free leaflet Genealogical Records in the National Archives is available upon request.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
1849 C Street, NW - MS 4141 - MIB
Washington, DC 20240-0001
Phone: 202-208-7163
Fax: 202-208-5320
Web site: www.doi.gov/bia/ancestry.htm
List of Federally Recognized tribes: 70 Federal Register, No. 226, page 71194-71198 which is available at most libraries or on the World Wide Web at www.nara.gov "Federally Recognized Native American Tribes", November 25, 2005.
Although most BIA offices do not keep individual Indian records and the BIA does not maintain a national registry or database you can try sending your birth certificate, your Indian parent and grandparent's birth certificates to the BIA that covers the region where your tribe is from. If any of your ancestors were on the census rolls, they may be able to provide information about your tribes and your percentage of Indian blood. General information can be accessed by going to their website and clicking on the How Do I Trace Indian Ancestry button on the left sidebar or going to the Improving the Quality of Life - Native Americans - Tracing Ancestry section. They do not conduct genealogical research for the public. Researchers are available for a fee. Further information regarding this service may be obtained by writing to the addresses below.
The Board of Certification of GenealogistsP.O. Box 14291
Washington, DC 20044 The Association of Professional Genealogists
P.O. Box 40393
Denver, CO 80204-0393
