Several benefits come with finding out if you have Native American ancestry. These include becoming a member of a federally recognized tribe and receiving government benefits like scholarships or low-interest loans.
Generally, genealogical research should start with non-Indian records rather than Indian ones. However, BIA regional offices or agencies may hold current and historic Indian records.
Genealogical Information
Many genealogical records contain information about Native American families, including vital statistics (births and deaths) and land and property documents. Some records indicate whether a family member was a member of a particular tribe. Best research practices and a willingness to search as many kinds of records as possible are the keys to success in this type of genealogy.
Start with state archives and libraries, usually, the county and state government records repository. Find out about your area’s local historical and genealogical societies, which can be a great source of information and help connect with other researchers.
Then, search online databases such as those at Ancestry (try typing in a first name and approximate date of birth and selecting “lived in” location). Other online resources include family history books and websites. Interview family members about their ancestry, taking careful notes.
Many people have a story that their ancestor was of Native descent. However, there is often a need for documentary evidence to prove this. If an ancestor is formally associated with a tribal group, such as a membership card or other document, it is easier to trace that lineage. Those who had no such association are more difficult to find documentation for. In addition, specific non-Native individuals were disenrolled from their tribes because of DNA research and other factors.
Documentation
The Bureau of Indian Affairs offers grants and funds to help tribal communities, reservations, and individuals. To receive these benefits, individuals must meet specific criteria. This often includes enrolling in a tribe the federal government recognizes or living within an area already approved for services.
If someone wants to become enrolled in a tribal community, they need to be able to prove that their lineage is traced back to the particular tribe from which they wish to claim descent. This is why genealogical documentation is so necessary. It can show that a person is a member of a specific tribal family or provide evidence of their connection to the tribe in the past.
This documentation is often found in state and county archives, as well as in federal libraries. Research Help
A wide range of research resources is available to researchers on American Indian issues. The National Archives and regional archives have extensive collections of federal records, including censuses, applications for benefits, land allotment records, tribal histories, treaties, letters, and government documents relating to Indian education, law enforcement, American Indian-white relations, and various other topics. These records often provide clues to follow up on and even track down individual ancestors, although more than one record may be needed to prove a relationship.
Also, many local libraries and other organizations have significant Native American collections. For example, the most extensive library in the world, the Library of Congress, has a substantial collection of Native American materials and has produced guides for researching these records. Marquette University in Milwaukee also has a website that provides referrals to and illumination of its vast Native American collection through repository-based entries and extensive chronologies.
Determining tribal affiliation should be a primary focus for researchers at the initial stages of any search. This is because most Native American records are grouped, published, and accessed by tribe or nation. Oral traditions, typically family stories passed down over generations, can also be helpful for this purpose but should be critically evaluated because they tend to embellish, misrepresent, or conceal the truth.
Legal Support
If you need help, many programs exist to assist with housing, food, employment, and health care. However, before you can receive any of these, you must meet specific criteria, such as enrollment in a federally recognized tribe and living in an area that is already approved for the aid. The resources in this article can provide much information about these programs and how to qualify.
The Library of Congress’ archival collection includes some of the earliest Native American recordings: wax cylinders in which people sing and tell stories. These recordings may be scratchy, but they preserve aspects of culture that would otherwise be lost. They also document some languages that were expected to disappear but are now being revived thanks to the efforts of ethnographers and linguists.
Other archives have records relating to tribal government, including constitutions, laws, and court opinions. These can be valuable to non-tribal people looking for legal research as well. The wikis for each tribe contain a list of available records.
The 116th Congress has taken steps to improve law enforcement protocols and access to data on missing or murdered Indigenous persons. These legislative initiatives and other partners’ work will increase support for families and bring closure to cases.
