
According to their migration story, the Choctaw were originally one people with the Chickasaw who left their homes in the West for a better home in the East. They had a sacred pole that they would stand up each day. Each day that pole pointed east until some time after crossing what is now the Mississippi River when the pole stood straight up, according to one brother, Chahta.
Another brother, Chikasha, said the pole was still leaning and they should continue their journey. This marked the beginning of the Chickasaws, who followed Chickasaw, and the Choctaws, who stayed behind with Chahta[1].
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The Choctaw creation story of Nanih WaiyaThe Choctaw creation story of Nanih Waiya
In addition to their migration story, the Choctaw have a second story of how they came to be that surrounds the mound Nanih Waiya located in Winston County, Mississippi today[2]. According to this story, different southeastern peoples were born of this hill. They each came out one by one, drying themselves before heading in different directions. The Muskoki, or Creek, were the first to emerge, followed by the Cherokee, the Chickasaw, and lastly, the Choctaw, who remained near the mound[3].
The Choctaw themselves did not come together as the Choctaw until the late 17th century[4] and by the mid-18th century there were as many as 70 Choctaw settlements spread across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama[5]. Their first contact with Europeans came in 1540, when their ancestors encountered Henrando de Soto[6]. Their next major contact with Europeans did not come until 1738, when they signed their very first treaty with Great Britain at Charleston, South Carolina. Eleven years later they signed an agreement with France at Mobile, Alabama[7]. Their alliance with the French created the Choctaw-Chickasaw Wars[8] which preceded the Choctaw Civil War[9], and later the United States' Revolutionary War[10]. Their first treaty with the United States would be signed in 1786, the Treaty of Hopewell[11]. More treaties would come until 1830 with the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which ceded the remainder of the Choctaws' lands in the east for lands in the west[12]. Per Article XIV of the treaty, should any head of family decide to stay behind, they could by declaring their intent and becoming citizens of the United States[13]. Choctaw removal took place in waves with the first wave occurring during the Fall/Winter of 1831-1832 and the last occurring in 1833[14].
The Choctaw todayThe Choctaw today
Today there are three federally-recognized tribes of Choctaw people: The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, The Mississippi Band of Choctaws, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians.
Choctaw Nation of OklahomaChoctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Today, the Choctaw Nation has a population of over 220,000, making it the 3rd largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. The Choctaw reservation encompasses all or part of 10 1/2 different counties in the state of Oklahoma, including: Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain, Pittsburg, Pushmataha[15]. While the Choctaw Nation capital is in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, the tribal headquarters are in Durant, Oklahoma[16]. In order to be eligible for citizenship, one must be descended from an individual on the 1907 Final Dawes Roll. There is no blood quantum requirement.
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1210, Durant, Oklahoma 74702[17]
There is a genealogy department that will verify whether or not or family is on the 1907 Final Dawes Roll[18]. For assistance, please contact them at the above mailing address or visit their website.
Mississippi Band of Choctaw IndiansMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is comprised of over 11,000 citizens[19]. The tribe's reservation, the Pearl River Indian Reservation, is located in central Mississippi and consists of over 35,000 acres[20]. There are eight communities that comprise the reservation: Bogue Chitto, Bogue Homa, Conehatta, Crystal Ridge, Pearl River, Red Water, Standing Pine, and Tucker[21]. To be eligible for enrollment, you must be at least one-half Mississippi Choctaw by blood.
Mailing Address: 101 Industrial Road, Choctaw, Mississippi 39350[22]
The tribe does not have a genealogy department though they will verify if your ancestors are on the final roll, but you must be able to provide that person's complete name, and maiden name, if applicable, and date of birth[23].

Jena Band of Choctaw IndiansJena Band of Choctaw Indians
The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians are based in Louisiana and is comprised of over 400 citizens[24]. Citizens must have a minimum 1/32 blood quantum and proof descent from an individual on the 1995 Tribal Roll[25].
Mailing Address: 1018 Chahta Yakni St, Trout, Louisiana 71371[26]
The tribe does not maintain a genealogy department, but the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians maintains the Jenna Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Library and Research Center with the purpose to preserve the culture.
1907 Final Dawes Roll1907 Final Dawes Roll

On 08 Feb 1887, Congress passed the Dawes General Allotment Act, or the Dawes Severalty Act [27], named for Senator Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, who was charged with overseeing the process[28]. The act signed into law by President Grover Cleveland was designed to remove lands from tribes and divide them into individual portions, allotments, with any remaining land to be sold at the Federal government's discretion[29]. The Act did not pertain to the Five Tribes- Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole. That changed in 1893 when Dawes was charged with the formation of the Dawes Commission to persuade the leaders of the Five Tribes to follow suit. Frustrated with progress, Congress granted the Commission additional powers un the Curtis Act of 1898 which led to the enrollment applications of over 250,000 individuals, approving over 101, 000 of those names[30].
The final rolls contact the name, age, sex, degree of Indian blood, and roll and census card numbers of each person. The census cards in turn provide the postal address, the name of the applicant, along with everyone else in the household and their relationship to them, their ages, sexes, degree of Indian blood, parents' names (if known) and residence (if known). Oftentimes, though not always, the enrollment card will have notations at the bottom that contain information about additional marriages, marriages of children, births of children/grandchildren, notations about names, and deaths of those listed on the enrollment card. These cards were part of packets that could include additional information in addition to the notations, though not always, which might be interviews with the applicant, their family members, and/or neighbors, birth/death/marriage affidavits and/or licenses, and correspondences between the Indian agency and the family. In addition, there are land jackets that provide additional information about the individual's allotment(s). They sometimes include additional information about the family with regard to probate in determining heirship.
The rolls can be viewed for free at the National Archives, though they are not searchable. The Oklahoma Historical Society does maintain a searchable database that provides the applicant's name, age, sex, blood quantum, tribe, and roll and census card numbers.
Other RollsOther Rolls
- 1812-1814 Muster rolls- These list the name of the individual, their rank, the date of the ending pay period, and the amount received. These can be viewed at the National Archives in Washington, D. C. on microfilm "160 Choctaw and 5 Chickasaw Muster Rolls."
- 1831 Armstrong Roll- Lists the names of individuals who owned farms, the number of acres, the number of persons in the family, the number of males over 16, the number of children under 10, and the location of the farm. This can be viewed for free at Access Genealogy.
- 1838, 1846-1849, 1852-1854 Muster Rolls of Choctaws who Arrived West- These rolls are all slightly different. Some only offer the name of the individual, whereas some include their age, and still others include the name of the party they traveled with. They can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth and all are located on microfilm A40.
- 1848 Annuity Rolls- Lists the names and the number of men, women, and children, along with the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1849 Annuity Rolls- Lists the names and the number of men, women, and children, along with the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1854 Cooper Roll- Lists the claimants' names, representatives, and dates of payment. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1855 Choctaw Payment Roll- There is no index. This roll includes the names of everyone in the household, their sex, and the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA9). The Bryan County Genealogy Library in Calera, Oklahoma has a transcribed copy available for purchase.
- 1856 Annuity Rolls- Lists the names and the number of men, women, and children, along with the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1857 Annuity Rolls- Lists the names and the number of men, women, and children, along with the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1860 Partial Census of the Choctaw Nation- This lists the individuals' name, age, sex, profession, and birthplace. This census only lists those who were free and slave inhabitants of the Choctaw Nation. There are some Choctaws listed. This census is at the end of the 1860 United States Census of Arkansas. You can find more information about it on the National Archives website.
- 1860 Orphans' Annuity Roll- Lists the name of the orphan, their representative, and the amount paid. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA35.35).
- 1861 Censuses of Wade and Blue County- These list the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 4.V 268 and CTN 2, V 17).
- 1867 Census of Eagle County-This lists the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 2).
- 1868 Census of Jacks Fork, Kiamichi, Nashoba, Red River, Sans Bois, Sugar Loaf, Tobucksy, Towson, Blue, and Boktuklo Counties-These list the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 2, 3, and 4).
- 1869 Census of Wade County- This lists the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 4)
- 1874 Choctaw Census- This contains the Counties of Eagle, Kiamichi, Nashoba, Sans Bois, Sugar Loaf, and Blue. These list the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 2, 3, and 4).
- 1878 Census of Eagle County- These list the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 2).
- 1880 Census of Wade, Jacks Fork, and Red River Counties- These list the name of the individuals only and there are columns for different age groups much like the early United States Censuses, along with columns for agricultural information. This census is viewable at the Oklahoma Historical Society (CTN 3-4)
- 1885 Choctaw-Chickasaw Freedmen Rolls- This contains the names of individuals and their children, sex, nationality, former owners, and agricultural information. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA63).
- 1893 Payment Roll and List of Orphans- This lists the orphan's name, county of residence, age, and the person receiving payment on behalf of the orphan. This can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA64).
- 1893 Payment Roll of Citizens by Blood- This lists the individual's names, name and sex of children, amount of payment, and any remarks. This can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA65.1-7RA65.2).
- 1906 Payment Roll- This roll includes the name, relationship, age, sex, amount of payment, and any other remarks. This can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA84.1-7RA84.3).
- 1908 Payment Roll- This roll includes the name, relationship, age, sex, amount of payment, and any other remarks. This can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA88.1). Microfilm 7RA88.2 is the index to this roll and can also be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth.
- 1912 Annuity Payment Roll- This roll includes the name, relationship, age, sex, amount of payment, and any other remarks. This can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA90/1).
- 1917 Payment Roll- This lists the name, relationship, blood quantum, age, sex, amount paid, and other remarks. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth (7RA94.2). Microfilm 7RA94.1 is the index to this roll and can also be viewed at the National Archives in Forth Worth.
Additional RecordsAdditional Records

The following Choctaw Court records exist and have been published by the Bryan County Genealogy Library:
- Atoka County 1868-1906
- Blue County (Probate and County Court) 1858-1900
- Blue County (Marriage and Probate) 1858-1903
- Blue County (Court, Probate, Marriage, and Misc) 1891-1901
- Blue County (Civil and Criminal and Permits) 1858-1894
- Blue County (County Court)
- Blue County (Permits) 1892-1906
- Mosholatubbee 1884-1901
- Mosholatubbee 1884-1901
- Mosholatubbee 1884-1901
- Jacks Fork 1890s-1904
- Jacks Fork and Jackson Counties
- Jackson and Kiamichi Counties 1866-1906
The following Choctaw Court records exist and can be viewed at the National Archives in Fort Worth:
- Boktuklo, 1858-1905 (CTN 27)
- Cedar, 1875-1905 (CTN 28)
- Eagle, 1889-1906 (CTN 30)
- Gaines, 1859-1906 (CTN 31)
- Nashoba, 1856-1905 (CTN 35-36)
- Red River, 1866-1905 (CTN 37)
- Sans Bois, 1888-1906 (CTN 40)
- Tobucksy, 1867-1906 (CTN 43)
- Towson, 1881-1906 (CTN 46)
- Wade, 1858-1906 (CTN 46-47)
Explore more about Choctaw genealogyExplore more about Choctaw genealogy
- Oklahoma Dawes Rolls, 1898-1914 records collection at MyHeritage
- Allen County Public Library
- Cherokee, Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen Records and Family Stories at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Choctaw Chickasaw Freedmen Association
- "Choctaw Tribe," Access Genealogy
- "Indian Pioneer Papers," Western Histories Collection, University of Oklahoma
- "Mississippi Choctaw Oral History Interviews," University of Florida
- Mississippi Department of Archives and History
- National Archives
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- "On the Choctaw Genealogical Trail," Mississippi Band of Choctaws
- State of Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
References
- ↑ Choctaw and Chickasaw Migration Story
- ↑ Nanih Waiya Mound and Village
- ↑ Nanih Waiya
- ↑ Wikipedia- Choctaw
- ↑ Britannica Encyclopedia- Choctaw
- ↑ Texas State Historical Association-Choctaw
- ↑ Wikipedia- Choctaw Treaties
- ↑ Choctaw-Chickasaw Wars
- ↑ Choctaw Civil War
- ↑ Choctaw History
- ↑ 1786 Treaty of Hopewell
- ↑ 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek
- ↑ 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek
- ↑ Oklahoma Historical Society- Choctaw
- ↑ Choctaw Nation Reservation Map
- ↑ Choctaw Nation Reservation
- ↑ Choctaw Nation Contact Information
- ↑ Choctaw Nation Genealogy Department
- ↑ Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Jena Band of Choctaw Indians History
- ↑ Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Enrollment Information
- ↑ Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
- ↑ Dawes General Allotment Act
- ↑ Dawes General Allotment Act
- ↑ The Dawes Act
- ↑ The Dawes Commission