Want to verify your Native American heritage ? Here ’ s where to start
With time on their hands thanks to Covid shutdowns , easy access to online records , and the growing popularity of DNA testing sites like ancestry . com , there has been an explosion of interest in studying genealogy , especially when it can be done from the comfort of one ’ s own home .
“ Pajama genealogy ,” as one Oklahoma expert terms it , has become an official “ thing ” across the country . Much genealogical research is fairly straightforward , but when it comes to tracking down Native American ancestry , things can get tricky . For example , many Oklahomans grew up with the common-but-vague “ great-grandma was a Cherokee princess ” line – family stories which have never been proven or disproven .
Where to Start While it can be tempting to immediately dive into tribal rolls , census lists and other historical documentation , or reach out to tribes directly , the first step on your genealogical journey of discovery should be to talk with your relatives and learn as many specific names , dates and other information as you can , said Veronia Redding , a genealogist with the Oklahoma Historical Society ’ s Research Center , who is herself of Osage descent .
DNA tests , through sites like ancestry . com , can also provide helpful information . These tests are now sensitive enough to identify Native American ancestry , however , they are not able to identify specific tribal affiliations .
Once you ’ ve learned and documented as much as you can on your own , it ’ s time to move on to other resources . From various agencies and organizations , such as those listed below , you can find access to : transcribed oral records , census documents , birth , death and marriage licenses , property deeds , tribal rolls , tribal records , cemetery and military records , baptismal and other records kept by missionaries , adoption records and more .
By Staci Elder HENSLEY
white and Native American ancestors . Virtually all relevant websites and materials are cross-referenced to each other within the federal , state and tribal contacts below and can be found in multiple locations .
The U . S . Department of the Interior also offers a free “ Guide to Tracing American Indian & Alaska Native Ancestry ,” and is accessible at pawneenation . org .
“ Many people are worried about it being time-consuming , or are not sure where to begin ,” Redding said . “ When people come in , we take the time to explain the process and help them realize it ’ s not as difficult as it sounds .”
Where to Find Help United States Federal Government There are currently 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes as of Jan . 28 , 2022 . Information on how to research your American Indian ancestry is available through the U . S . Department of the Interior , at www . doi . gov / tribes / trace-ancestry .
In order to apply for membership in most tribes , an individual must first acquire a federal Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood , which requires documented proof of that person ’ s Native American heritage .
Oklahoma Historical Society The Oklahoma Historical Society ( OHS ) pre-dates statehood . Founded in 1893 , it ’ s unique in that it ’ s the only organization outside the Smithsonian and the National Archives to contain the nation ’ s Indian archives , namely the Dawes Rolls , which are the official government records of the Five Civilized Tribes ( Cherokee , Chickasaw , Choctaw , Creek and Seminole ). Those records and others , in both digital format and the actual physical documents , are available to the public , while staff and volunteers also are available to assist visitors , said Laura Martin , deputy director of the OHS Research Division .
Redding noted that people can also learn about their Native American ancestors through local town records and newspapers , such as documentation of marriage between a person ’ s
She added that the center receives so many requests that it offers a downloadable tri-fold brochure , “ Finding Your American Indian Ancestors Research Guide ,” at ok history . org .
34 NormanMagazine . com | MAY / JUNE 2022