How To Research Native American Tribal Enrollment Records

Native American tribal enrolment requirements preserve the unique character and traditions of each tribe. The tribes establish membership criteria based on shared customs, traditions, language and tribal blood. Some people, perhaps encouraged by long-repeated family stories or the unexpected results of a DNA test, wish to investigate their potential connection to a Native American tribe and therefore establish whether they are eligible be officially recognised as a member of a tribe. Native American research requires a combination of standard genealogical methods and review of tribe-specific resources and requirements.

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Your Research PlanYour Research Plan

To achieve the best outcome when researching Native American tribal enrolment a family historian should follow a methodical plan:

Working backward from the current generation consolidate all personal and family information generation by generation that points to a possible Native American connection.
Research public records, both general and Native American specific using the consolidated family information.
Understand and follow through the enrolment process for the relevant Native American tribe armed with, and guided by, the information collected in the two earlier steps.

Step one: consolidating family informationStep one: consolidating family information

As with other genealogical research consolidating relevant personal and family information is the starting point for effective investigation of tribal enrolment records. Such personal information may include letters, journals, diaries, photographs, family Bibles and scrapbooks. These sources may contain valuable names, dates and places linked to Native American ancestors.

Speak with relatives whose oral history and information about family origins may be able to point to specific tribal affiliations. But you must also retain a degree of skepticism. Memory can be faulty and family stories passed down through multiple generations are not always completely accurate.

Using this personal information create a family tree and timeline focused on potential Native American connections. Note names, dates and places of birth, residence details and death records that can help identify the specific tribe or tribes your ancestors may have belonged and/or point to tribal presence in the areas where your ancestors lived.

Step two: explore public records, including specialised Native American databasesStep two: explore public records, including specialised Native American databases

With personal information organised you can move to researching the most relevant public records. For example, local courthouses may hold deeds, wills, birth/marriage/death certificates and land records. Libraries or historical societies in areas associated with family ancestors are likely to hold genealogical resources on tribal histories and migration patterns. Local newspapers will obituaries or articles that may mention tribal affiliations.

After these general public records you can move to searching those that are focused on Native American tribes:

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) provides guidance on tracing ancestry and accessing tribal rolls. In particular BIA holds Indian Census Rolls (1885–1940) which include tribal affiliations and family relationships. It also maintains additional resources such as probate records, land allotment documents, and judgment distribution rolls for tribes with federal recognition.
Genealogical services, such as MyHeritage, which include specific databases on Native American genealogy (see below for more details).
The National Archives which house extensive Native American records categorised by tribe. These include census data, treaties and tribal claims against the United States government. Many US. regional libraries and historical societies hold copies of the original microfilms in the Archives.
NARA's Bureau of Indian Affairs Photographs Finding Aid allows exploration of over 18,000 photographs categorised by tribal nation or state^[1].

Certain Native American tribes have more accessible records due to their historical documentation and the result of extensive preservation efforts. For example:

The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes are well-documented in the Dawes Rolls, which were created during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to register members for land allotments in Oklahoma^[2]. These rolls are widely available through multiple sources.
The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley has extensive collections on California Indigenous communities, including language families, cultural records, and first-person narratives.
Organizations like the Cherokee Heritage Center or Oklahoma Historical Society offer specialized assistance for certain tribes.
The National Indian Law Library can provide further guidance on tracing Native ancestry.

Step three: follow through on the enrolment process for the relevant tribeStep three: follow through on the enrolment process for the relevant tribe

Each tribe has its own membership criteria, often based on blood quantum or lineage to an enrolled tribal member. Criteria are set forth in tribal constitutions, articles of incorporation or ordinances of each tribe. The criteria varies from tribe to tribe, so there are no uniform membership requirements^[3]. The tribe's official website or their enrolment office can provide information on their specific requirements.

The Tribal Leaders Directory that is published by the Bureau of Indian Affairs lists all 574 federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives. It also lists all the Regions, Agencies and Offices within the BIA.

If you identify an ancestor who was an enroled tribal member, gather documentation to prove your direct relationship to them. This may include birth certificates, marriage licenses, or other legal documents that establish the connection. You are then ready to submit your documentation to the tribe’s enrolment office for verification. Note that depending on the specific tribe's policies and procedures you need to be prepared for additional steps, such as DNA testing or personal interviews.

Explore more about Native American tribal enrolmentsExplore more about Native American tribal enrolments

MyHeritage has a range of resources which can speed and help guide your research of Native American tribal records:

MyHeritage includes over 3,500 different collections with almost 14 million records covering the United States, including millions of newspaper articles and specific databases offering historical records on Native Americans. One very important to take into account is the Oklahoma Dawes Rolls, 1898-1914 records collection, which contains records of individuals who were approved for membership in the Five Tribes of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole, between the years 1898 and 1914. These records typically include the enrollee’s name, age, blood quantum, tribe, and household members.
Legacy Family Tree Webinars includes several webinars which will assist any family historian with their research into potential Native American links:
Another important resource are the Bureau of Indian Affairs Records: Tribal Rolls at the US National Archives. it is important to notice, though, that NARA is not involved in enrolling tribal citizens or determining eligibility for tribal citizenship.

The IDA Treaties Explorer is another powerful tool for research on Native American tribes. You can:

Review guides such as “Treaties – What are They?” and “Research You Can Do with the Indigenous Digital Archive's Treaties Explorer.” These resources provide step-by-step instructions for using the database effectively in genealogical research.
Use the search function to locate treaties by name, date**, or treaty title, enabling you to identify agreements involving your ancestors’ tribe.
Explore treaties related to specific geographic areas by entering a ZIP code, state, or using the map feature to see historical land transfers and agreements.
Review supplementary documents and maps attached to specific treaties to better understand the historical and legal context of tribal land cessions and agreements. As historical maps show land cessions and sovereign boundaries, they can be valuable in tracing ancestors’ movements or locate ancestral lands.
As this tool lists both historical and present-day tribes mentioned in treaties you can cross-reference these with your family’s known tribal connections to confirm family and personal relationships.
Access digitised copies of the original 374 ratified Indian treaties held by the National Archives^[4]. These documents often include names, seals, and signatures that may directly link to your ancestors

References

[1] National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Society of American archivists article "Increasing access to native american records ". National Archives and Records Administration.

[2] Tracing American Indian and Alaska native ancestry. Tracing American Indian and Alaska Native Ancestry | Indian Affairs. (n.d.).

[3] Tribal enrollment process. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2015, July 1).

[4] National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.-b). Viewing American Indian treaties. National Archives and Records Administration.

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