Navajo Nation: Difference between revisions

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Pre-Spanish contact Navajo history varies somewhat, but it is during these early years that the Navajo clan system becomes expanded. When a baby is born, they belong to the mother's clan and is passed their children.It is custom to introduce one's maternal and paternal clans on both sides when introducing yourself for the first time.  

[[Image:Map of Navajo Nation Public Health Service.jpg|frame|center|450x375px]]<br>  

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The [http://www.bia.gov/ Bureau of Indian Affairs] is commonly known as the BIA, and is part of the U.S. Department of Interior since they hold in trust American Indian lands. The BIA also serves 566 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federally_recognized_tribes federally recognized tribes] in the United States. For those that are seraching BIA records, three main National Archives and Records Administration are used:  

There are two types of census records available for people searching American Indian records. The first is the U.S. decennial census records and Indian Census Rolls, both have identical information and some differences. Indian Census records were usually taken each year by agents or superintendents in charge of Indian reservations, then sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, as required by an act of July 4, 1884. By 1940 many areas covered under the Indian Census Rolls were soon incorporated into U.S. population census records.  

For those that were enrolled into a federally recognized tribe were assigned an Indian Census Number unique to each individual. Knowing your relatives' Indian Census Number can be quite helpful when searching the Indian Census Rolls and can help eliminate confussion, but not all Indian Census Roll takers included censuses.  

For those interested in becoming an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, contact:

(928) 871-6386 or (928) 729-4020

The [http://www.archives.gov/research/census/native-americans/1885-1940.html National Archives Microfilm Publication M595] has copies of the the Indian Census Rolls, containing about 692 rolls dealing with a large number of tribes in the United States. It is during this time that Indian Census Roll takers were given instructions to include an individual's Indian and English name. By 1902 instruction was given that families should be given the same surname and that they should translate Indian names into English if they were too difficult to pronounce or remember. If names were too "foolish, cumbersome or uncouth translations which would handicap a self-respecting person should not be tolerated," or derogatory nicknames were dropped and changed.<br><br>When searching Indian Census Rolls, be mindful that they are divided into one of four main agencies (Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and some smaller ones), others can be found in other tribal rolls (Hopi, Ute, Paiute, and etc).<br><br>Online verses Microfilm. Online Indian Census Rolls can be found at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1059 Ancestry.com] (a pay site), this has all the benefits of searching records from the comfort of home. At this point in time they only have a few Indian Census Rolls available for Navajo records. Searching microfilm at LDS FHL centers (free) can be more time consuming, but can provide more information which is left out by online sites. Online sites only include the names of individuals and leave out a wealth of information at the beginning of the census rolls; which includes special instructions and procedures by the census taker and even census maps.  

The United States Federal Population Census records in regards to Navajo Indians varies by area. Since about 1885 until 1930, Natives were required to be placed on Indian Census Rolls, by 1940 they were incorporated into U.S. federal population census records. In some areas Navajos were placed on U.S. federal population census records as early as 1900. As most know, U.S. federal population census records are recorded every ten years and at times can also include Indian Census Numbers and can be helpful in tracking down ancestors. <br>  

One major issue when dealing with these records is that many of the Census takers were not Navajo speakers and some relied on translators for information. Navajo at the time these censuses were taken was still in the process of becoming an official written language and so many Census takers phonetically wrote names. Many a times Census takers also wrote generic names for people using Navajo terms such as; "At'eed," (girl); "Ashkii," (boy); and "Asdzaan" (woman).  

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*Bi’ee’adaałts’isi (Presbyterian or Protestants)

*Daachaaigii (Pentecostal or Baptist)

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*[http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/countryboy79/family_tree/index.html Countryboy79 (Terry Teller)]<br>

*[http://www.saveblackmesa.org/genealogy/ saveblackmesa.org/genealogy/]

==== INFORMATION<br> ====

*[http://www.gomyson.com/Clans.php List of Navajo Clans], and Show My Clan tool and Are We Related? tool.<br>

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