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To get started in [[American Indian Genealogy|American Indian Research]]
{{Inazcanmut}}


'''Various Spellings:''' Navajo, Navaho
<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Native American Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
Guide to '''Navajo family history, and genealogy''' census, school, and agencies and their records. The Navajo Nation is 27,000 square miles and the nation has over 320,000 tribal citizens living in 110 chapters or communities.


The Navajo Tribe is primarily associated with&nbsp;the states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.
=== Tribal Headquarters ===


'''Population:''' 1868: 10,000 1990: 220,000
'''The Navajo Nation'''<br>P.O. Box 9000<br>Window Rock, AZ 86515<br>Phone: 928-871-6000<br>[https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ Website]


== Tribal Headquarters  ==
=== History ===
The Navajo (Naabeeho, Navaho, and other variants) are the largest [http://www.bia.gov/idc/groups/xofa/documents/document/idc012038.pdf federally recognized tribes] in the United States, or known among kinsmen as Dine'. The Navajo Nation is an independent government body, which manages the Navajo reservation.


Navajo Nation <br>P.O. Box 9000<br>Window Rock, AZ 86515<br>Phone: 928.871.6352<br>Fax: 928.871.4025 <br>
Like most groups, the Navajos relate their history to major events which influenced their people. Family history information will usually relate to these events.


*[http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ Navajo Nation Official Web Site]
==== Brief Timeline  ====
===== Spanish Era (1492-1820)  =====
*'''Mid 1700s:''' Spanish sent missionaries


== History ==
===== Mexican Era (1821-1847) =====
*'''1846: '''Treaty
*'''1846-48:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War Mexican War]
*'''1848: '''Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico cede the Southwest to the United States


See the information on [[Navajo Nation, Arizona (Tribe)]]  
===== Navajo Wars (1848-1867)  =====
*'''1849:''' Treaty
*'''1858:''' Manuelito, a Navajo leader, discovered his livestock had been shot by U.S. Soldiers. He confronted the Major at Fort Defiance, claiming the land and water. Soldiers from Fort Defiance, with Zuni mercenaries, burned Manuelito's village and fields.
*'''1860:''' Attack [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Defiance,_Arizona Fort Defiance] , lead by Manuelito.
*'''1862:''' Kit Carson began scorched-earth offensive
*'''1863''': New Mexico was cut in half, to create the Territory of Arizona.
*'''1864-1866:''' Relocated with Apache to [[Indigenous Peoples of New Mexico|New Mexico]], at Bosque Redondo near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Sumner Fort Sumner], about 200 Navajos died on the 300 mile trek. - "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Walk_of_the_Navajo The Long Walk]". It is estimated 2,000 died while at Bosque Redondo
 
===== Reservation Era (1868-1927)  =====
*'''1868: '''Treaty, granted reservation and returned to their old home
*'''1878:''' Navajo Reservation is expanded into Arizona.
*'''1880:''' Navajo Reservation expanded again in Arizona. Railway travel into the southwest creates new market for Navajo weaving.
*'''1882: '''December 16, President Chester Arther removed some 4,000 square miles of land in northern Arizona from the public domain and made it a reservation for the Maquii (Hopi). This order formed the legal basis of the present-day Navajo-Hopi land conflict.
*'''1884:''' Navajo Reservation expanded into Utah
*'''1900 and 1901:''' the Navajo Reservation was expanded into Arizona
*'''1905:''' The Navajo Reservation was again expanded in Utah
*'''1907:''' The Navajo Reservation was aging expanded in New Mexico and Arizona.
*'''1907-1922''': Navajo Reservation was expanded in Utah onto the Paiute's homeland.
*'''1912:''' New Mexico and Arizona become states.
*'''1922:''' Oil discovered on Navajo Reservation.
*'''1924:''' Passage of Indian Citizenship Act.
 
===== Stock Reduction (1928-1940)  =====
*'''1923-1936:''' Stock Reduction Program, The U.S. government killed more than 250,000 Navajo sheep and goats the horses. Part of soil conservation; "an acre could have no more than 6 sheep".
*'''1934:''' The Navajo Mounted Police was formed.
*'''1936:''' Window Rock, Arizona chosen as the site for the Navajo Central Agency. Now the Navajo Tribal Council.
 
===== Coming Out (1941-1969)  =====
*'''1941-1945:''' All Native American men were required to register for the draft. A total of 24,521 Native American men served in the U.S. armed services during World War II.
*'''1951:''' Uranium discovered on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and Arizona.
*'''World War II:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_talker Navajo Code Talkers]
 
===== Self Determination (1970-Present) =====
See also [http://www.lapahie.com/Timeline.cfm Navajo Timeline]<br>
 
==== Navajo Clan System  ====
Just like any other civilization, precautionary steps were taken to limit intermarriages among immediate family members. The Navajo established family clans, with the maternal line being the predominant line. When introducing oneself, a Navajo will provide their parent's clan and typically their maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather's clan, establishing their place in the world. Knowing one's clans is just as important as knowing the names of past ancestors and goes hand-in-hand with genealogical research. For a more detailed list of clans, a short history, and a brief introduction, [https://www.chinleusd.k12.az.us/pdf/Curriculum/Fifth%20Grade/Navajo-Clan-Names-Groups.pdf click here, clans].
 
=== Government Records  ===
==== U.S. - Native Relations  ====
When dealing with Native American records, you will come into contact with a number of government offices that have dealt with Native American tribes. The three main levels of offices included are Indian agents, [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Superintendencies_of_Indian_Affairs Superintendents], and Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The following is a very brief explanation of what these offices entailed.
 
United States and Native American relations began with the first acts of the Continental Congress in 1775 which passed several ordinances dealing with indigenous people. The first was to divide administrative responsibility into three geographical districts (northern, central, and southern) with the creation of a superintendent to govern the affairs between Congress and the Native peoples.<sup>1</sup> It was often the case that ''ex officio'' superintendent of Indian affairs was usually held by Territorial governors who would help negotiate [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Kappler/Vol2/toc.htm treaties] and obtain titles to Native American lands.
 
Since multiple tribes lived in territorial boundaries, agents were created to govern one or more tribes or geographical areas. Indian agents were appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate. Agents were to report to the Superintendent, but at times records were sent directly to Washington D.C.
 
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was then created in 1824 as part of the War Department, to govern the affairs between settlers and Native peoples. Originally called, Heads of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this title was later changed to Commissioner of Indian Affairs and has since been changed to Assistant Secretary of the Interior of Indian Affairs. When Natives were no longer considered to be a threat, the BIA was then transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1849, and continues to this day.


==== Agencies  ====
==== Agencies  ====
The '''majority of records of individuals were those created by the agencies'''. Some records may be available to tribal members through the tribal headquarters.They were (and are) the local office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and were charged with maintaining records of the activities of those under their responsibility. Among these records are:
*[[American Indian Allotment Records|Allotment records]]
*[[American Indian Annuity Rolls|Annuity rolls]]
*[[American Indian Census Rolls|Census records]]
*[[American Indian Correspondence and Reports|Correspondence]]
*[[American Indian Health Records|Health records]]
*[[American Indian Correspondence and Reports|Reports]]
*[[American Indian School Records|School census and records]]
*[[American Indian Vital Records Supplements in Census Rolls|Vital records]]
The Navajo Nation's reservation boundaries have been changed since the original reservation boundaries were established in 1868. At the same time, governmental guardianship over these lands has changed. Currently, the Navajo Nation is divided into five agencies ([[Chinle Indian Agency (Arizona)|Chinle Agency]], [[Eastern Navajo Indian Agency (Arizona)|Eastern Navajo Agency]] (AZ) and [[Eastern Navajo Indian Agency (New Mexico)|Eastern Navajo Agency]] (NM), [[Western Navajo Indian Agency (Arizona)|Western Navajo Agency]], [[Fort Defiance Indian Agency|Fort Defiance Agency]], and [[Shiprock Indian Agency (New Mexico)|Shiprock Agency]]) governing a specific geographical area, with the seat of government located in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_Rock,_Arizona Window Rock, Arizona]. Each of these agencies are further divided into smaller political units called [http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/chapters.htm Chapters], the number of Chapters have fluctuated over the years, but there are roughly 110 Chapters. Typically, Chapters do not carry documents containing family history information, and most will refer you to the Navajo Nation offices. In addition to this, many of the documents held at the agencies have also been transferred to National and Regional archives throughout the United States.


*[[Chinle Indian Agency (Arizona)|Chinle Agency]]
===== Contact  =====
*[[Eastern Navajo Indian Agency (Arizona)|Eastern Navajo Agency]]&nbsp;(Arizona and [[Eastern Navajo Indian Agency (New Mexico)|New Mexico]])
Contact information for the Navajo Nation: <br>The [http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ Navajo Nation ]<br>P.O. Box 9000<br>Window Rock, Arizona 86515<br>(928) 871-6000
*[[Western Navajo Indian Agency (Arizona)|Western Navajo Agency]]
*[[Fort Defiance Indian Agency|Fort Defiance Agency]]
*[[Santa Fe Indian Agency (New Mexico)|Santa Fe Agency]]
*[[Shiprock Indian Agency (New Mexico)|Shiprock Agency]]


==== Reservations ====
==== Reservation ====
Like most civilizations throughout the world, geography plays a crucial role in Navajo life, mythology, religion, and history. In more modern times, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Reservation reservation] boundaries have been established by the United States of America on behalf of the Navajo People and over time those boundaries have changed. Learning local history can also help with understanding family history. Current boundaries for the Navajo Nation Reservation is about 24,078,127 square miles, making it the largest reservation in the United States. It covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. There are also three separate entities which are also under Navajo jurisdiction: the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramah_Navajo_Indian_Reservation Ramah Navajo Nation Reservation], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Navajo_Indian_Reservation Alamo Navajo Nation Reservation], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tohajiilee_Indian_Reservation Tohajiilee Indian Reservation].<br><br>Tribal lands are trust lands and as a result there are no private landowners, and all Tribal Trust land is owned in common and administered by the Nation's government. There are also BIA Indian Allotment lands which are privately owned by the heirs and generations of the original BIA [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/American_Indian_Allotment_Records Indian Allotee] to whom it was issued. Tribal Trust lands are leased to both customary land users (may include homesites, grazing, and other uses) and organizations (may include BIA and other federal agencies, churches, and other religious organizations, as well as private or commercial businesses).
Below is a Navajo Nation Public Service Map


[[Navajo Nation, Arizona (Reservation)]]  
[[Image:Map of Navajo Nation Public Health Service.jpg|center|450x375px|Map of Navajo Nation Public Health Service.jpg]]
 
For a different and more detailed map with locations in Navajo, click: [http://www.lapahie.com/Navajo_Map_Lg.cfm Navajo Reservation Map]


==== Superintendencies  ====
==== Superintendencies  ====
As stated previously, the superintendent of Indian affairs oversaw Indian agents. As for the Navajo Nation, at times superintendents were at odds as to whom held authority over areas occupied by the Navajos. Neighboring superintendents also assisted governing superintendents over the Navajos. Over time territorial boundaries also shifted and changed. The New Mexico and Arizona Superintendency are the main record holders for Navajo information.
*[[Arizona Superintendency of Indian Affairs|Arizona Superintendency]] (1863 - 1873)
*[[New Mexico Superintendency of Indian Affairs|New Mexico Superintenedency]] (1850-1874)
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Utah_Superintendency_of_Indian_Affairs Utah Superintendency] (1849-1880)
*[[Colorado Superintendency of Indian Affairs|Colorado Superintendency]] (1861-1870)
==== Bureau of Indian Affairs  ====
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 Native American lands. The BIA serves 573 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federally_recognized_tribes federally recognized tribes] in the United States. For those that are searching BIA records, three main National Archives and Record Administrations are used:
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/029.html Record Group Number 29]: Records of the Bureau of the Census
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/048.html Record Group Number 48]: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/075.html Record Group Number 75]: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
The BIA also has listed a publication by the Office of Public Affairs-Indian Affairs called, [https://www.bia.gov/sites/bia.gov/files/assets/public/ois/pdf/Guide_to_Tracing_American_Indian_Alaska_Native_Ancestry.pdf "A Guide to Tracing American Indian &amp; Alaska Native Ancestry"] which can help guide your research.
==== Census Records  ====
There are two types of census records available for people searching Native American records. The first is the [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_Census U.S. decennial census records] and [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/American_Indian_Census_Rolls 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. decennial census records.
As a result of a number of issues surrounding land, the federal government and especially with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Reorganization_Act Indian Reorganization Act of 1934] (a.k.a Wheeler-Howard Act) which encouraged Natives to determine their membership and enrollment. The question set before Natives was, "Who is an Indian?" To help move the issue along, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_quantum_laws#Tribes_requiring_1.2F4_degree_blood_quantum_for_membership Blood Quantum] was introduced as a requirement for tribal membership, allowing tribes to select the degree of ancestry for an individual to be considered part of a specific tribe. As for the Navajos, 1/4 degree of blood for membership was selected.
For those that were enrolled into a federally recognized tribe are given a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_Degree_of_Indian_Blood Certificate Degree of Indian Blood] or CIB and are 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 confusion, but not all Indian Census Roll takers included censuses. At times the U.S. decennial census taker would include Census Numbers in their records.
==== Enrollment  ====
For those interested in becoming an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, contact:
Navajo Office of Vital Records<br>P.O. Box 9000 <br>Window Rock, Arizona 86515<br>(928) 871-6386 or (928) 729-4020
==== Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940  ====
The [http://www.archives.gov/research/census/native-americans/1885-1940.html National Archives Microfilm Publication M595] has copies of 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.
For more information about searching these records [[How to Find Native American Ancestors Using the 20th Century U.S. Censuses|see more]]
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 surrounding tribal census records (Apache, Hopi, Ute, Paiute, and etc).
Online versus 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. [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/free-us-indian-census-rolls.htm Accessgenealogy.com] does provide free access to Navajo Indian census rolls on-line.  Searching microfilm at Family History Libraries (free) can be more time consuming, but can provide more information which is left out by on-line sites. On-line 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. <br>
====== Eastern Agency Area Records ======
*1929 (M595 Roll 98) FS Library:575790
*1930 (M595 Roll 99) FS Library:575791
*1931 (M595 Roll 100) FS Library: 575792
*1932 (M595 Roll 101) FS Library: 575793
*1933 (M595 Roll 102) FS Library:575794
*1934-35 (M595 Roll 103) FS Library: 575795
*1937 (M595 Roll 275) FS Library:579685
====== Hopi and Navajo ======
*1930 (M595 Roll 190) FS Library: 576879 (*taken in Keams Canyon area)
*1931 (M595 Roll 191) FS Library:576880
*1932 (M595 Roll 192) FS Library:576881
*1933 (M595 Roll 193) FS Library:576882
*1934-36 (M595 Roll 194) FS Library:576883
====== Leupp Agency Area Records ======
*1915-17, 1920-25, 1927, 1929 (M595 Roll 249) FS Library:576938 (*actual census is from 1920-29)
*1930-32 (M595 Roll 250) FS Library:576939
*1933-35 (M595 Roll 251) FS Library:576940
*1937 (M595 Roll 276) FS Library: 579686
====== Navajo Agency Records ======
*1885: with 1891 general schedule and letter, 1898 (M595 Roll 272) FS Library:579682
*1915: Navajo (M595 Roll 273) FS Library:579683
*1909-12, 1914: Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 401) (*established from the Old Navajo Agency)
*1915-19:Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 402)
*1920-24, 26:Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 403)
*1904-05, 1916:San Jacinto and San Juan (M595 Roll 471) FS Library:571481 (* San Jacinto is a training school in CA. The 1916 section deals with the San Juan Navajos in the Shiprock area)
*1930: Navajo FS Library:496553 (Shiprock area)
*1936:Navajo (M595 Roll 274) FS Library:579684
*1938-39:Navajo (M595 Roll 282) FS Library:579692
====== Northern Agency Area Records ======
*1930 (M595 Roll 303) FS Library: 579713
*1931 (M595 Roll 304) FS Library: 579714
*1932 (M595 Roll 305) FS Library: 579715
*1933 (M595 Roll 306) FS Library: 579716
*1934-36 (M595 Roll 307) FS Library: 579717
*1937 (M595 Roll 277) FS Library: 579687
====== Southern Agency Area Records ======
*1929-30: A-G (M595 Roll 518) FS Library: 581893
*1930: H-Z (M595 Roll 519) FS Library:581894
*1931: A-G (M595 Roll 520) FS Library: 581895
*1931: H-Z (M595 Roll 521) FS Library: 581896
*1932: A-B (M595 Roll 522) FS Library: 581897
*1932: C-M (M595 Roll 523) FS Library: 581898
*1932: N-Z (M595 Roll 524) FS Library: 581899
*1933: A-G Arizona (M595 Roll 525) FS Library: 581900
*1933: H-Z Arizona (M595 Roll 526) FS Library:5818901
*1933: New Mexico (M595 Roll 527) FS Library 5818902
*1934: A-G Arizona (M595 Roll 528) FS Library: 581903
*1934: H-Z Arizona (M595 Roll 529) FS Library:581904
*1934: New Mexico (M595 Roll 530) FS Library:581905
*1934-135:(M595 Roll 531) FS Library:581906
*1937:Arizona (M595 Roll 278) FS Library: 579688
*1937:Arizona (M595 Roll 279) FS Library:579689
*1937:New Mexico (M595 Roll 280) FS Library:579690
====== Western Agency Area Records  ======
*1915-29 (M595 Roll 640) FS Library:573099 (*1915-28 are Hopi and 1929 are Navajo)
*1930 (M595 Roll 641) FS Library;573100
*1931 (M595 Roll 642) FS Library:573101
*1932 (M595 Roll 643) FS Library:573102
*1933 (M595 Roll 644) FS Library:573103
*1934-35 (M595 Roll 645) FS Library:573104
*1937 (M595 Roll 281) FS Library:579691
1932 Hopi and Navajo Native American Census. By Jeff Bowen. FS Library book 970.1 B675h vol. 1 and 2 (# 825913)
***When searching for individuals, your search should also include surrounding tribal records of the [[Apache Indians|Apaches]], [[Hopi Indians|Hopis]] (or Moqui), [[Paiute Indians|Paiutes]], [[Pueblo Indians|Pueblos]], and [[Ute Indians|Utes]].
==== U.S. Population Census  ====
The United States Federal Population Census records in regards to Navajo Indigenous People 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, and are usually limited to Natives living in or around border towns. 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.
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. in addition, 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. Census takers often wrote generic names for people using Navajo terms such as; "At'eed," (girl); "Ashkii," (boy); and "Asdzaan" (woman) or Hastiin (mister or man).
When searching U.S. Federal Indian Census records their records are divided into reservation boundaries which include:
*Eastern Navajo Reservation
*Luepp (located around Luepp, AZ)
*Navajo (location and areas covered change over time)
*Navajo Springs (located around Holbrook, AZ)
*Northern Navajo Reservation
*Pueblo Bonito (located around Chaco Canyon, NM)
*San Juan (located around northern San Juan County, NM)
*Southern Navajo Reservation
*Western Navajo Reservation
=== Other Records  ===
==== Education  ====
Historically, Navajo children have attended [http://www.bia.gov/WhatWeDo/ServiceOverview/IndianEducation/ Bureau of Indian Affair schools] (boarding schools), public schools, and contract schools (mission schools). Each of these have their own sets of records, some of which have found their way into archives and historical societies. The Office of Indian Affairs (now [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_of_Indian_Affairs Bureau of Indian Affairs]) was charged with providing educational opportunities for Navajo pupils and identifying them through school census records and other means. Some of the schools attended by Navajo pupils include, but are not limited to:
*[[Albuquerque Indian School|Albuquerque Indian School ]](Albuquerque, NM)
*[[Carlisle Indian Industrial School (Pennsylvania)|Carlisle Indian Industrial School]] (Carlisle, PA)
*[[Charles H. Burke Indian School (New Mexico)|Charles H. Burke School ]](Fort Wingate, NM) the forerunner of Fort Wingate Vocational High School
*[[Chilocco Indian School|Chilocco Indian Agricultural School]] (Cilocco, OK)
*[[Chinle Indian Boarding School (Arizona)|Chinle Boarding School]] (Many Farms, AZ)
*[[Fort Lewis Indian School (Colorado)|Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School]] (Fort Lewis, CO)
*[[Fort Wingate Vocational High School (New Mexico)|Fort Wingate Vocational High School]] (Fort Wingate, NM)
*[[Haskell Institute|Haskell Indian Industrial Training School]] (Lawrence, KS)
*[[Holbrook Indian School (Arizona)|Holbrook Indian School]] (Holbrook, AZ)
*[[Intermountain Indian School (Utah)|Intermountain Indian School]] (Brigham City, UT)
*Leupp School (Leupp, AZ)
*[[Nenannezed Indian Boarding School (New Mexico)|Nenannezed Boarding School ]](Fruitland, NM)
*[[Phoenix Indian School (Arizona)|Phoenix Indian School]] (Phoenix, AZ)
*[[Pinon Indian Boarding School (Arizona)|Pinon Boarding School]] (Pinon, AZ)
*Pueblo Day School (NM)
*[[San Juan Indian School (New Mexico)|San Juan Boarding School]] (NM)
*[[Santa Fe Indian Industrial School (New Mexico)|Santa Fe Indian School]] (Santa Fe, NM)
*[https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Sherman_Institute Sherman Institute] (Riverside, CA)
*Shiprock Boarding School (Shiprock, NM)
*[[Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (New Mexico)|Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute]] (Albuquerque, NM)
*Western Navajo Boarding School (Tuba City, AZ)
'''See:'''
*Martin M. Martinez, comp.''School Census of Navajo Indians in McKinley and Valencia Counties, New Mexico'', 1957, 1961. This is arranged alphabetically by surname. {{FSC|1036099|item|desp=FS Library film 1,036,099 item 2}}.
==== Military Records  ====
Indian Scouts
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Scouts Navajo Indian Scouts ]of the Geronimo Expedition 1886 records indicates there were about 150 Navajo scouts, who were a part of the 5,000 man force under General Nelson A. Miles.
==== Newspapers  ====
Newspapers provide a wealth of information besides local happenings; birth, death, and even marriage information can be found in local newspapers around the Navajo reservation. Each paper is held at a variety of libraries, depositories, and institutions in different states. Here is a list of newspapers around the reservation that deal specifically with the Navajo, but are not limited to this list:
===== Arizona  =====
*(1946) ''Arizona Daily Sun'' (Flagstaff), previously known as (1883) the ''Coconino Sun''
*(1890) ''Arizona Republic'' (Phoenix)
*(2004) ''Lake Powell Chronicle'' (Page)
*(1981) ''Navajo-Hopi Observer ''(Flagstaff)
*(1959) ''Navajo Times, The'' (Window Rock)
*(1970) ''Phoenix New Times'' (Phoenix)
*(1890) ''Winslow Mail, The ''(Winslow)
===== Colorado  =====
*''Cortez Journal, The'' (Cortez)
===== New Mexico  =====
*(1880) ''Albuquerque Jounral'' (Albuquerque)
*(1891) ''Daily Times, The'' (Farmington)
*(1923) ''Gallup Independent'' (Gallup)
===== Utah  =====
*''Southern Utah News'' (Kanab)
==== Religion  ====
The Navajo have a complex polytheistic belief system which dictates how to treat oneself, others, and one's environment. This belief system has helped them deal with numerous groups of people entering into Navajo country. As the Spanish penetrated present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they introduced Spanish Christianity to the Navajos. The Navajos called Catholic priests and missionaries ''Bi’ee’dahninnezi'' (Catholic: the one with long clothes). There are some documentations from Spanish sources which include Navajo names, but usually the names are too generic to pinpoint ancestors. Mexican documentation also has this shortcoming.
{| style="float:right;
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|{{MormonLDSRemoval}}
|}
By the late 1800s, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) began moving into and settling southern Utah, Arizona and western New Mexico. The Navajos called these people ''Gaamalii'' (meaning: the fat ones that are coming). Mission records, missionaries and settlers wrote a number of journals and diaries that can include Navajo family names. Baptismal records and Church membership records are harder to come by and are usually limited to Church members only. But, baptismal and Church membership records in earlier times are very limited as to the fact that when Navajos were incorporated into the Church, the Church did not have plans of establishing or maintaining religious contact with the Navajos unless there was a dire need.


*[[Arizona Superintendency of Indian Affairs|Arizona Superintendency]]
As the United States gained control over present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they began assigning religious groups to the different tribes. Mainly the ''Bi’ee’adaałts’isi'' (Presbyterian or Protestants) were assigned to the Navajo reservation.
*[[New Mexico Superintendency of Indian Affairs|New Mexico Superintenedency]]
*[[Colorado Superintendency of Indian Affairs|Colorado Superintendency]]<br>


See [[Navajo Nation, Arizona (Reservation)]]
*Bi’ee’adaałts’isi (Presbyterian or Protestants)
*Bi’ee’dahninnezi (Catholic: the one with long clothes)
*Daachaaigii (Pentecostal or Baptist)
*Gaamalii (Latter-day Saints)


==== Additional References to the History of the Tribe  ====
==== State Resources ====
The Navajo Reservation is located in three different states, covering a number of counties. Each of these areas have resources available to the public to search for ancestors.


Frederick Webb Hodge, in his [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/navajo/navahoindianhist.htm Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico], gave a more complete history of the Navajo tribe, with estimations of the population of the tribe at various time periods.<br>
===== Arizona  =====
*[http://genealogy.az.gov/ Arizona Department of Health: Birth and Death Certificates]
*[https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/3 Arizona Digital Newspaper Program] at Arizona Memory Project
*[http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/ Arizona Historical Society]
*[https://lib.asu.edu/ Arizona State University: Charles Trumbull Hayden Library]
*[http://archive.library.nau.edu/index.php Northern Arizona University: Cline Library]
*[http://www.library.arizona.edu/ University of Arizona: Main Library]


See [[Navajo Nation, Arizona (Tribe)]]  
===== Colorado  =====
[https://swcenter.fortlewis.edu/ Fort Lewis College: Center of Southwest Studies]  


== Records ==
===== New Mexico =====
*[http://www.hsnm.org/ Historical Society of New Mexico]
*[http://econtent.unm.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/nmnews New Mexico Newspaper Database]
*[http://elibrary.unm.edu/ University of New Mexico: Zimmerman Library]


=== U.S. Census ===
===== Utah =====
*[http://lib.byu.edu/ Brigham Young University: Harold B. Lee Library]
*[https://familysearch.org/locations/saltlakecity-library The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: FamilySearch Library]
*[http://www.lib.utah.edu/ University of Utah: J. Willard Marriott Library]
*[http://www.archives.utah.gov/research/indexes/20842.htm Utah Department of Administrative Services: Division of Archives Records Services Utah Death Certificate Index, 1904-1961]
*[http://heritage.utah.gov/history Utah Department of Heritage and Arts: Utah State Historical Society]
*[https://library.usu.edu/ Utah State University: Merrill-Cazier Library]


The earliest census taken under the auspices of the Office of Indian Affairs was enumerated in 1885. Many of the census records thus recorded have been microfilmed and are available at the [http://www.archives.gov/ National Archives], all of the [http://www.archives.gov/locations/regional-archives.html#CA Regional Archives of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)], and at the {{FHL|297519|title-id|disp=Family History Library}} in Salt Lake City. This set of Indian Census Rolls also are available online at [http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=1059&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 Ancestry.com], which is a subscription web site. In order to locate the correct roll, one must know the residence of the family being sought. The following census rolls were recorded for the indicated agencies within the Navajo Nation. The names are as recorded in the microfilm copy created by the National Archives on their Microcopy M595 (692 rolls).
=== References ===
Some of these references will include FamilySearch Library call numbers starting with FS Library. {{Wikipedia|Navajo people}}
== Published  ==
==== Biographies  ====
*Brugge, David M. ''Navajo Bibliography''  {{FSC|79971|item|disp=FS Library Book 970.3 N227be}}


*Eastern Navajo -- 1929-1935
==== Culture  ====
*Eastern Navajo Reservation -- 1937
Reichard, Gladys A. ''Social Life of the Navajo Indians: With Some Attention to Minor Ceremonies''. Appendix: Navajo Genealogies {{FSC| 551581 |item | disp= FS Library film 0001307}} [http://www.worldcat.org/title/social-life-of-the-navajo-indians-with-some-attention-to-minor-ceremonies/oclc/866536207 WorldCat]
*Hopi and Navajo Indians -- 1930-1936
*Leupp Agency -- 1915-1917, 1920-1925, 1927, 1929-1935
*Leupp Reservation -- 1937
*Navajo -- 1915, 1936, 1938-1939
*Navajo: (Moqui Pueblo or Hopi, and Navajo) -- 1885
*Northern Navajo -- 1930-1935
*Northern Navajo Reservation -- 1937
*Pueblo Bonito (Navajo Indians) -- 1909-1912, 1914-1924, 1926
*Pueblo Day Schools (Pueblo and Navajo) -- 1912-1919
*San Juan (Navajo) -- 1916
*Southern Navajo -- 1929-1935
*Southern Navajo Reservation -- 1937
*Western Navajo -- 1905, 1915-1920, 1922-1927, 1929
*Western Navajo: (Hopi Indians and Navajo and Paiute Indians for 1929) -- 1937


It is important to know the above names because that is the way they are listed in the Indian Census Rolls collection.  
==== Code Talkers  ====
*Bruchas, Joseph. ''Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two''.
*McClain, Sally. ''Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers''. {{FSC|1474529|item|desp=FS Library Book 970.3 N227ms}}<br>
*Paul, Doris. ''The Navajo Code Talkers''.
*''They Talked Navajo: "diné bi-zaad choź-iid"; the United States Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers of World War II''; a record of their reunion, July 9-10, 1971, Window Rock, Arizona {{FSC|577462|item|disp=FS Catalog book  970.3 N227ti}}<br>


=== Enrollment ===
==== Education ====
*McCarty, Teresa L. ''A Place to Be Navajo:Rough Rock and the Struggle for Self-Determination in Indigenous Schooling''.
*Roessel, Robert. ''Navajo Education, 1948-1978:Its Progress and Its Problems''.
*Roessel, Robert. ''Navajo Education in Action:The Rough Rock Demonstration School''.
*Thompson, Hildegard. ''The Navajos Long Walk for Education a History of Navajo Education''.


Tribal enrollment for the Navajo Nation is handled through: <br> Navajo Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 9000 Window Rock, AZ 86515 Telephone: 928-871-6386 or 928-729-4020 <br> Everyone enrolled as a member of the Navajo Nation since 1925 has been assigned a tribal census number. Those records are also maintained by this office.  
==== General History  ====
*Acrey, Bill. Navajo History: ''The Land and the People''.
*Bailey, Garrick and Roberta G. Bailey. ''A History of the Navajos: The Reservation Years''.
*Collier, John. ''On the Gleaming Way: Navajos, Eastern Pueblos, Zunis, Hopis, Apaches, and their land, and their meaning to the world. '''''FS Library 970.1 C69o'''
*Forbes, Jack D. ''Apache, Navaho (sic) and Spaniard''. '''FS Library 970.1 F744a'''
* Goodman, James M. ''The Navajo Atlas': environments, resources, people, and history of the Diné Bikeyah'''''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227g'''
*Iverson, Peter and Monty Roessel. ''Dine': A History of the Navajos''.
*James, George Wharton. ''The Indians of the Painted Desert Region: Hopis, Navahoes (sic) Wallapais, Havasupais.'' '''FS Library 970.1 J233i'''
*Kelly, Lawrence C. ''The Navajo Indians and Federal Indian Policy, 1900-1935''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227k'''
*Kluckhohn, Clyde. And Dorothea Leighton. ''The Navaho''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227n'''
*Locke, Raymond Friday. ''The Book of the Navajos''.
*Parman, Donald L. ''The Navajos and the New Deal''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227pa'''
*Sundberg, Lawrence. ''Dinetah: An Early History of the Navajo People''.
*Underhill, Ruth. ''The Navajos''.
*Thomas, Alfred Barnaby and Juan Bautista de Arza. ''Forgotten Frontiers: a study of the Spanish Indian policy of Con Juan Bautista de Arza, governor of New Mexico, 1777-1787''. '''FS Library 970.1 T361f '''
*Underhill, Ruth. ''The Navajos''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227'''
*Wilkins, David E. ''The Navajo Political Experience''


=== School ===
==== Land Dispute ====
*Benally, Malcolm. ''Bitter Water: Dine' Oral Histories of the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Peoples''.
*Benedek, Emily. ''The Wind Won't Know Me: A History of the Navajo-Hopi Dispute''.


Historically, Navajo children have attended local public schools, day schools, boarding schools and mission schools. Each of these have their own sets of records, some of which have found their way into archives and historical societies. The Office of Indian Affairs (now Bureau of Indian Affairs) was charged with providing educational opportunities for Navajo pupils and identifying them through school census records and other means. Some of the schools attended by Navajo pupils include:  
==== Language  ====
*Young, Robert W. and William Morgan. ''The Navajo Language: a Grammar and Colloquial Dictionary''. {{FSC|706893|item|desp= FS Library book 497.2 Y86n }} [http://www.worldcat.org/title/navajo-language-a-grammar-and-colloquial-dictionary/oclc/866262954 WorldCat]<br>


*Pueblo Day Schools
==== Long Walk  ====
*[[Intermountain Indian School (Utah)|Intermountain Indian School]]
*Bailey, Lynn Robison. ''Long Walk: A History of the Navajo Wars, 1864-1868''.
*St. Michael's School
*Broderick, Johnson. ''Navajo Stories of the Long Walk Period''.
*Denetdale, Jennifer. ''The Long Walk: The Forced Navajo Exile''.


This is a very incomplete list of such schools. It does illustrate different types of schools available to Navajo children.  
==== Maps  ====
*Moqui and Navajo Reservations with Navajo extensions. National Archives: NA RG 75 no. 8782 tube no. 1243 {{FSC| 447022|item|desp=|FHLfilms 1665840 Index and FS Library 1670769 item 22}}
*Summer, R.C. Map of Navajo Reservation. National Archives: Denver FRG RG 75 FRC 753242. {{FSC|177265|item|desp=FS Library film 1665840 index and 1670769 item 27}}


=== Treaties ===
==== Newspapers ====
'''Tribal Newspaper''': [http://navajotimes.com/ ''Navajo Times'']


*&nbsp;[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/nav0583.htm 1849]&nbsp; September 9,
[http://navajotimes.com/rezobits/#.VJBox8mVcfw Obituary Archives] (2014)
*&nbsp;[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/nav1015.htm 1868]&nbsp; June 1, removal, reservation


== Important Web Sites ==
==== Government ====
*Moore, William Haas. ''Chief, Agents and Soldiers: Conflict on the Navajo Frontier 1868-1882''. {{FSC| 718004|item|desp=|FS Library book 970.3 N227m}}
* [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/110493-doniphan-s-expedition-containing-an-account-of-the-conquest-of-new-mexico-general-kearney-s-overland-expedition-to-california-doniphan-s-campaign-against-the-navajos-his-unparalleled-march-upon-chihuahua-and-durango-and-the-operation?offset=1 Hughes, John T. ''Doniphan's expedition: containing an account of the conquest of New Mexico General Kearney's overland expedition to California Doniphan's campaign against the Navajos his unparalleled march upon Chihuahua and Durango and the operations of General Price at Santa Fe with a sketch of the life of Col. Doniphan''].
*Thompson, Gerald. ''The Army and the Navajo''. '''FS Library 970.3 N227t'''


{{Wikipedia|Navajo people}}
==== Navajos: Autobiographies and Biographies  ====
*Denetdale, Jennifer Nez. ''Reclaiming Dine' History: The Legacies of Navajo Chief Manuelito and Juanita''.
*Frisbie, Charlotte and David P. McAllester. ''Navajo Blessingway Singer: The Autobiography of Frank Mitchell, 1881-1967''.
*Hoffman, Virginia. ''Navajo Biographies''. <br>
*Leake, Harvey and Louisa Wade Wetherill. ''Wolfkiller: Wisdom From a Nineteenth-Century Navajo Shepherd.''
*Lee, George P. ''Silent Courage:An Indian Story:The Autobiography of George P. Lee, a Navajo''.
*McPherson, Robert S. ''A Navajo Legacy: The Life and Teachings of John Holiday''.
*McPherson, Robert S. ''Journey of Navajo Oshley:An Autobiography and Life History''.
*McPherson, Robert S. ''Navajo Tradition, Mormon Life:The Autobiography and Teaching of Jim Dandy''.
*McPherson, Robert S. and Samuel Holiday. ''Under the Eagle:Samuel Holiday, Navajo Code Talker''.
*Turner, Ann. ''The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Dairy of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1864''.<br>


*[http://www.navajo.org/ Navajo Nation Official Web Site]
==== Religion  ====
*[http://www.navajocentral.org/faq02a.htm Questions and Answers] about Navajo history, names, culture, bands, etc.,  
*Bahr, Howard M. ''The Navajo as Seen by the Franciscans, 1898-1921''.  
*[http://www.lapahie.com/Navajo_Code_Talker_Names.cfm Navajo Code Talkers]
*Bahr, Howard M. ''The Navajo as Seen by the Franciscans, 1920-1950''.
*Brugge, David. ''Navajos in the Catholic Church Records of New Mexico, 1694-1875''.
*Centennial Book Committee, eds. ''Rehoboth Christian School, 1903-2003: Celebrating 100 Years of God's Faith''.
*De. Korne, John C. ''Navaho and Zuni for Christ:Fifty Years of Indian Missions''.<br>
*Reichard, Gladys A. ''Navaho Religion''.


== References ==
==== Traders ====
*Adams, William Y. ''Shonto: A Study of the Role of the Trader in a Modern Navaho Community''.
*Blue, Martha. ''Indian Trader: The Life and Times of J.L. Hubbell.''
*Berkowitz, Paul and Kevin Gilmartin. ''The Case of the Indian Trader: Billy Malone and the National Park Service Investigation at Hubbel Trading Post.''
*[http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=usupress_pubs Evans, Will. ]''[http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=usupress_pubs Along Navajo Trails: Recollections of a Trader, 1898-1948].''
*Gillmor, Frances and Louisa Wade Wetherill. ''Traders to the Navajos:The Story of the Wetherills''.{{FSC| 228080-50|item|desp= FS Library book 929.273 W532g or fiche 6006789}}
*Graves, Laura. ''Thomas Varker Keam, Indian Trader.''
*Kennedy, John D. ''A Good Trade: Three Generations of Life and Trading Around the Indian Capital Gallup, New Mexico''.
*Kennedy, Mary Jeannette. ''Tales of a Trader's Wife: Life on the Navajo Indian Reservation, 1913-1938.''
*James, H.L. ''Rugs and Posts:The Story of Navajo Weaving and the Role of the Indian Trader''.
*Moon, Samuel. ''Tall Sheep:Harry Goulding, Monument Valley Trader.''
*Richardson, Gladwell. ''Navajo Trader.''
*Steckel, Carl F. ''Early Day Trader with the Navajos''.
*Trafzer, Clifford. ''Navajos and Anglo Indian Traders''.
*Wagner, Sallie and Mary Tate Engels. ''Tales from Wide Ruins: Jean and Bill Cousins, Traders.''
*Wagner, Sallie and Edward T. Hall. ''Wide Ruins: Memories from a Navajo Trading Post.''


<references />
==== Vital records  ====
*Bowen, Jeff. ''Western Navajo Reservation: Navajo, Hopi and Paiute Indians, birth and death rolls, 1925-1933'' {{FSC| 660327|item|desp=FS Catalog book 970.3 N227bj}}


==== Bibliography ====
== Unpublished ==
*Bushman, Virgil and Nellie Bushman. Navajo Indian Cemetery Records and Some New Mexico Cemetery Records Online: and <br>
*City of Winslow Historic Preservation Commission. Index of Winslow Indian Sanatorium Cemetery: from Navajo County death certificates published from 1933 through 1960. <br>
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/075.html <u></u>Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives; Record Group 75], Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.<br>
*Navajo Indian Cemetery records and Some New Mexico Cemetery Records FamilySearch FS Library US New MexicoCD # 1423 To utilized this CD in the FamilySearch Library you will need to use a computer with a "patron desk top". <br>
*Navajo Stock Reduction Interviews of Dean Sundberg and Fern Charley Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/725833 FamilySearch Catalog]<br>
*Navajo Tribal Mueum Archives, 1832-1966: Indian Papers. by Utah State Board of Education. <br>
*Smith, Edward D. Range Riding and Navajo stock Reduction, (Oral History) O.H. 1155 Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/725780 FamilySearch Catalog]<br>
*Tietjen, Gary (Elder and Sister). Vital records of the Eastern Navajos. Contents: Crownpoint Cemetery -- The Grants Cemetery -- The Rehoboth Cemetery -- The Smith Lake Cemetery -- The Thoreau Cemetery -- Obituaries of Eastern Navajos -- McKinley County death register, 1941-1961 -- Social security death records. {{FSC|831289|item|desp=FS Catalog book 970.3 N227tg}}<br>
*United States Selective Service System. Arizona, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. {{FSC|746966|item|desp= FS Library film (20) first film 1473300}}<br>
*


*[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/075.html Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives; Record Group 75], Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
== Websites ==
*Hodge, Frederick Webb. ''Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico''. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1906 [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/ Available online].
*[http://www.nnlib.org/ Office of the Navajo Nation Library]  
*Klein, Barry T., ed. ''Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian''. Nyack, New York: Todd Publications, 2009. 10th ed. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/317923332?referer=list_view WorldCat 317923332]; {{FHL|1122745|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 R259e}}.
*[https://www.facebook.com/NavajoNationMuseum/ The Navajo Nation Museum Facebook page]  
*Malinowski, Sharon and Sheets, Anna, eds. The Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1998. 4 volumes. Includes: Lists of Federally Recognized Tribes for U.S., Alaska, and Canada – pp. 513-529 Alphabetical Listing of Tribes, with reference to volume and page in this series Map of “Historic Locations of U.S. Native Groups” Map of “Historic Locations of Canadian Native Groups” Map of “Historic Locations of Mexican, Hawaiian and Caribbean Native Groups” Maps of “State and Federally Recognized U.S. Indian Reservations. [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=no:037475188 WorldCat 37475188]; {{FHL|831087|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 G131g}}.
*[http://www.hpd.navajo-nsn.gov/ Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department]  
*[http://www.nnovr.org/ Navajo Nation Office of Vital Records]


:Vol. 1 -- Northeast, Southeast, Caribbean
==== Family History: Online Examples  ====
:Vol. 2 -- Great Basin, Southwest, Middle America
*[http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/countryboy79/family_tree/index.html Countryboy79 (Terry Teller)]
:Vol. 3 -- Arctic, Subarctic, Great Plains, Plateau
*[http://www.lapahie.com/Dine_Census.cfm Lapahie.com]
:Vol. 4 -- California, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Islands
*[http://www.saveblackmesa.org/genealogy/ saveblackmesa.org/genealogy/]
*[https://sites.google.com/site/tabaaha/family-tree Ta'baaha' family tree]


*Sturtevant, William C. ''Handbook of North American Indians''. 20 vols., some not yet published. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1978– . <br>
==== Government  ====
*[http://www.navajo-nsn.gov Navajo Nation Official Web Site]
*[http://www.lapahie.com/Navajo_Code_Talker_Names.cfm Navajo Code Talkers]
*[http://www.doi.gov/tribes/trace-ancestry.cfm U.S. Department of the Interior]
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/start-research/ U.S. National Archives and Records Administration]


:Volume 1 -- Not yet published
==== Information  ====
:Volume 2 -- Indians in Contemporary Society (pub. 2008) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/234303751&referer=brief_results WorldCat 234303751]<br>
*[https://www.nativestudy.com/navajo-tribal-clans.html List of Navajo Clans]
:Volume 3 -- Environment, Origins, and Population (pub. 2006) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/255572371&referer=brief_results WorldCat 255572371]<br>
*[http://www.navajocentral.org/faq02a.htm Questions and Answers] about Navajo history, names, culture, bands, etc.  
:Volume 4 -- History of Indian-White Relations (pub. 1988) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19331914&referer=brief_results WorldCat 19331914]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.4}}.<br>
*[http://ggsc.wnmu.edu/netc/traditions/24.html Navajo Clan and Extended Family Relationships]: Cultural Differences site
:Volume 5 -- Arctic (pub. 1984) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/299653808&referer=brief_results WorldCat 299653808]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.5}}.<br>
:Volume 6 -- Subarctic (pub. 1981) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/247493742&referer=brief_results WorldCat 247493742]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.6}}.<br>
:Volume 7 -- Northwest Coast (pub. 1990) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/247493311&referer=brief_results WorldCat 247493311]<br>
:Volume 8 -- California (pub. 1978) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13240086&referer=brief_results WorldCat 13240086]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.8}}.<br>
:Volume 9 -- Southwest (pub. 1979) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26140053&referer=brief_results WorldCat 26140053]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.9}}.<br>
:Volume 10 -- Southwest (pub. 1983) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/301504096&referer=brief_results WorldCat 301504096]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.10}}.
:Volume 11 -- Great Basin (pub. 1986) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/256516416&referer=brief_results WorldCat 256516416]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.11}}.<br>
:Volume 12 -- Plateau (pub. 1998) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39401371&referer=brief_results WorldCat 39401371]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.12}}.<br>
:Volume 13 -- Plains, 2 vols. (pub. 2001) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48209643&referer=brief_results WorldCat 48209643]<br>
:Volume 14 -- Southeast (pub. 2004) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/254277176&referer=brief_results WorldCat 254277176]
:Volume 15 -- Northwest (pub. 1978) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/256517503&referer=brief_results WorldCat 356517503]; {{FHL|248632|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 H191h v.15}}.<br>
:Volume 16 -- Not yet published
:Volume 17 -- Languages (pub. 1996) -- [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43957746&referer=brief_results WorldCat 43957746]<br>
:Volume 18 -- Not yet published
:Volume 19 -- Not yet published
:Volume 20 -- Not yet published


*Swanton John R. ''The Indian Tribes of North America''. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin #145 [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/indianlocation.htm Available online].
==== Bibliography ====
*Waldman, Carl. ''Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes''. New York, New York: Facts on File, 2006. 3rd ed. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/14718193?referer=list_view WorldCat 14718193]; {{FHL|1465222|title-id|disp=FHL book 970.1 W146e 2006}}.
1. [http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/newnatn/nativeam/super.html "The New Nation, 1783-1815: Government Policy Toward Native Americans: Superintendent of Indian Affairs."]  


[[Category:Arizona_Indian_Tribes]] [[Category:Utah_Indian_Tribes]] [[Category:Colorado_Indian_Tribes]] [[Category:New_Mexico_Indian_Tribes]]
=== References ===
{{reflist}}
{{Native American nav}}
[[Category:Indigenous Tribes of Arizona]] [[Category:Indigenous Tribes of Utah]] [[Category:Indigenous Tribes of Colorado]] [[Category:Indigenous Tribes of New Mexico]]

Latest revision as of 09:39, 19 April 2024

Native American Topics
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Buffalo Hunt under the Wolf-Skin Mask
Beginning Research
Tribes
Record Types
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Other Topics


Guide to Navajo family history, and genealogy census, school, and agencies and their records. The Navajo Nation is 27,000 square miles and the nation has over 320,000 tribal citizens living in 110 chapters or communities.

Tribal Headquarters[edit | edit source]

The Navajo Nation
P.O. Box 9000
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Phone: 928-871-6000
Website

History[edit | edit source]

The Navajo (Naabeeho, Navaho, and other variants) are the largest federally recognized tribes in the United States, or known among kinsmen as Dine'. The Navajo Nation is an independent government body, which manages the Navajo reservation.

Like most groups, the Navajos relate their history to major events which influenced their people. Family history information will usually relate to these events.

Brief Timeline[edit | edit source]

Spanish Era (1492-1820)[edit | edit source]
  • Mid 1700s: Spanish sent missionaries
Mexican Era (1821-1847)[edit | edit source]
  • 1846: Treaty
  • 1846-48: Mexican War
  • 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico cede the Southwest to the United States
Navajo Wars (1848-1867)[edit | edit source]
  • 1849: Treaty
  • 1858: Manuelito, a Navajo leader, discovered his livestock had been shot by U.S. Soldiers. He confronted the Major at Fort Defiance, claiming the land and water. Soldiers from Fort Defiance, with Zuni mercenaries, burned Manuelito's village and fields.
  • 1860: Attack Fort Defiance , lead by Manuelito.
  • 1862: Kit Carson began scorched-earth offensive
  • 1863: New Mexico was cut in half, to create the Territory of Arizona.
  • 1864-1866: Relocated with Apache to New Mexico, at Bosque Redondo near Fort Sumner, about 200 Navajos died on the 300 mile trek. - "The Long Walk". It is estimated 2,000 died while at Bosque Redondo
Reservation Era (1868-1927)[edit | edit source]
  • 1868: Treaty, granted reservation and returned to their old home
  • 1878: Navajo Reservation is expanded into Arizona.
  • 1880: Navajo Reservation expanded again in Arizona. Railway travel into the southwest creates new market for Navajo weaving.
  • 1882: December 16, President Chester Arther removed some 4,000 square miles of land in northern Arizona from the public domain and made it a reservation for the Maquii (Hopi). This order formed the legal basis of the present-day Navajo-Hopi land conflict.
  • 1884: Navajo Reservation expanded into Utah
  • 1900 and 1901: the Navajo Reservation was expanded into Arizona
  • 1905: The Navajo Reservation was again expanded in Utah
  • 1907: The Navajo Reservation was aging expanded in New Mexico and Arizona.
  • 1907-1922: Navajo Reservation was expanded in Utah onto the Paiute's homeland.
  • 1912: New Mexico and Arizona become states.
  • 1922: Oil discovered on Navajo Reservation.
  • 1924: Passage of Indian Citizenship Act.
Stock Reduction (1928-1940)[edit | edit source]
  • 1923-1936: Stock Reduction Program, The U.S. government killed more than 250,000 Navajo sheep and goats the horses. Part of soil conservation; "an acre could have no more than 6 sheep".
  • 1934: The Navajo Mounted Police was formed.
  • 1936: Window Rock, Arizona chosen as the site for the Navajo Central Agency. Now the Navajo Tribal Council.
Coming Out (1941-1969)[edit | edit source]
  • 1941-1945: All Native American men were required to register for the draft. A total of 24,521 Native American men served in the U.S. armed services during World War II.
  • 1951: Uranium discovered on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and Arizona.
  • World War II: Navajo Code Talkers
Self Determination (1970-Present)[edit | edit source]

See also Navajo Timeline

Navajo Clan System[edit | edit source]

Just like any other civilization, precautionary steps were taken to limit intermarriages among immediate family members. The Navajo established family clans, with the maternal line being the predominant line. When introducing oneself, a Navajo will provide their parent's clan and typically their maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather's clan, establishing their place in the world. Knowing one's clans is just as important as knowing the names of past ancestors and goes hand-in-hand with genealogical research. For a more detailed list of clans, a short history, and a brief introduction, click here, clans.

Government Records[edit | edit source]

U.S. - Native Relations[edit | edit source]

When dealing with Native American records, you will come into contact with a number of government offices that have dealt with Native American tribes. The three main levels of offices included are Indian agents, Superintendents, and Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The following is a very brief explanation of what these offices entailed.

United States and Native American relations began with the first acts of the Continental Congress in 1775 which passed several ordinances dealing with indigenous people. The first was to divide administrative responsibility into three geographical districts (northern, central, and southern) with the creation of a superintendent to govern the affairs between Congress and the Native peoples.1 It was often the case that ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs was usually held by Territorial governors who would help negotiate treaties and obtain titles to Native American lands.

Since multiple tribes lived in territorial boundaries, agents were created to govern one or more tribes or geographical areas. Indian agents were appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate. Agents were to report to the Superintendent, but at times records were sent directly to Washington D.C.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was then created in 1824 as part of the War Department, to govern the affairs between settlers and Native peoples. Originally called, Heads of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this title was later changed to Commissioner of Indian Affairs and has since been changed to Assistant Secretary of the Interior of Indian Affairs. When Natives were no longer considered to be a threat, the BIA was then transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1849, and continues to this day.

Agencies[edit | edit source]

The majority of records of individuals were those created by the agencies. Some records may be available to tribal members through the tribal headquarters.They were (and are) the local office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and were charged with maintaining records of the activities of those under their responsibility. Among these records are:

The Navajo Nation's reservation boundaries have been changed since the original reservation boundaries were established in 1868. At the same time, governmental guardianship over these lands has changed. Currently, the Navajo Nation is divided into five agencies (Chinle Agency, Eastern Navajo Agency (AZ) and Eastern Navajo Agency (NM), Western Navajo Agency, Fort Defiance Agency, and Shiprock Agency) governing a specific geographical area, with the seat of government located in Window Rock, Arizona. Each of these agencies are further divided into smaller political units called Chapters, the number of Chapters have fluctuated over the years, but there are roughly 110 Chapters. Typically, Chapters do not carry documents containing family history information, and most will refer you to the Navajo Nation offices. In addition to this, many of the documents held at the agencies have also been transferred to National and Regional archives throughout the United States.

Contact[edit | edit source]

Contact information for the Navajo Nation:
The Navajo Nation
P.O. Box 9000
Window Rock, Arizona 86515
(928) 871-6000

Reservation[edit | edit source]

Like most civilizations throughout the world, geography plays a crucial role in Navajo life, mythology, religion, and history. In more modern times, reservation boundaries have been established by the United States of America on behalf of the Navajo People and over time those boundaries have changed. Learning local history can also help with understanding family history. Current boundaries for the Navajo Nation Reservation is about 24,078,127 square miles, making it the largest reservation in the United States. It covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. There are also three separate entities which are also under Navajo jurisdiction: the Ramah Navajo Nation Reservation, the Alamo Navajo Nation Reservation, and the Tohajiilee Indian Reservation.

Tribal lands are trust lands and as a result there are no private landowners, and all Tribal Trust land is owned in common and administered by the Nation's government. There are also BIA Indian Allotment lands which are privately owned by the heirs and generations of the original BIA Indian Allotee to whom it was issued. Tribal Trust lands are leased to both customary land users (may include homesites, grazing, and other uses) and organizations (may include BIA and other federal agencies, churches, and other religious organizations, as well as private or commercial businesses). Below is a Navajo Nation Public Service Map

Map of Navajo Nation Public Health Service.jpg

For a different and more detailed map with locations in Navajo, click: Navajo Reservation Map

Superintendencies[edit | edit source]

As stated previously, the superintendent of Indian affairs oversaw Indian agents. As for the Navajo Nation, at times superintendents were at odds as to whom held authority over areas occupied by the Navajos. Neighboring superintendents also assisted governing superintendents over the Navajos. Over time territorial boundaries also shifted and changed. The New Mexico and Arizona Superintendency are the main record holders for Navajo information.

Bureau of Indian Affairs[edit | edit source]

The 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 Native American lands. The BIA serves 573 federally recognized tribes in the United States. For those that are searching BIA records, three main National Archives and Record Administrations are used:

The BIA also has listed a publication by the Office of Public Affairs-Indian Affairs called, "A Guide to Tracing American Indian & Alaska Native Ancestry" which can help guide your research.

Census Records[edit | edit source]

There are two types of census records available for people searching Native American 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. decennial census records.

As a result of a number of issues surrounding land, the federal government and especially with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (a.k.a Wheeler-Howard Act) which encouraged Natives to determine their membership and enrollment. The question set before Natives was, "Who is an Indian?" To help move the issue along, Blood Quantum was introduced as a requirement for tribal membership, allowing tribes to select the degree of ancestry for an individual to be considered part of a specific tribe. As for the Navajos, 1/4 degree of blood for membership was selected.

For those that were enrolled into a federally recognized tribe are given a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood or CIB and are 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 confusion, but not all Indian Census Roll takers included censuses. At times the U.S. decennial census taker would include Census Numbers in their records.

Enrollment[edit | edit source]

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

Navajo Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 9000
Window Rock, Arizona 86515
(928) 871-6386 or (928) 729-4020

Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940[edit | edit source]

The National Archives Microfilm Publication M595 has copies of 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. For more information about searching these records see more

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 surrounding tribal census records (Apache, Hopi, Ute, Paiute, and etc).

Online versus Microfilm. Online Indian Census Rolls can be found at 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. Accessgenealogy.com does provide free access to Navajo Indian census rolls on-line. Searching microfilm at Family History Libraries (free) can be more time consuming, but can provide more information which is left out by on-line sites. On-line 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.

Eastern Agency Area Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1929 (M595 Roll 98) FS Library:575790
  • 1930 (M595 Roll 99) FS Library:575791
  • 1931 (M595 Roll 100) FS Library: 575792
  • 1932 (M595 Roll 101) FS Library: 575793
  • 1933 (M595 Roll 102) FS Library:575794
  • 1934-35 (M595 Roll 103) FS Library: 575795
  • 1937 (M595 Roll 275) FS Library:579685
Hopi and Navajo[edit | edit source]
  • 1930 (M595 Roll 190) FS Library: 576879 (*taken in Keams Canyon area)
  • 1931 (M595 Roll 191) FS Library:576880
  • 1932 (M595 Roll 192) FS Library:576881
  • 1933 (M595 Roll 193) FS Library:576882
  • 1934-36 (M595 Roll 194) FS Library:576883
Leupp Agency Area Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1915-17, 1920-25, 1927, 1929 (M595 Roll 249) FS Library:576938 (*actual census is from 1920-29)
  • 1930-32 (M595 Roll 250) FS Library:576939
  • 1933-35 (M595 Roll 251) FS Library:576940
  • 1937 (M595 Roll 276) FS Library: 579686
Navajo Agency Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1885: with 1891 general schedule and letter, 1898 (M595 Roll 272) FS Library:579682
  • 1915: Navajo (M595 Roll 273) FS Library:579683
  • 1909-12, 1914: Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 401) (*established from the Old Navajo Agency)
  • 1915-19:Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 402)
  • 1920-24, 26:Pueblo Bonito (M595 Roll 403)
  • 1904-05, 1916:San Jacinto and San Juan (M595 Roll 471) FS Library:571481 (* San Jacinto is a training school in CA. The 1916 section deals with the San Juan Navajos in the Shiprock area)
  • 1930: Navajo FS Library:496553 (Shiprock area)
  • 1936:Navajo (M595 Roll 274) FS Library:579684
  • 1938-39:Navajo (M595 Roll 282) FS Library:579692
Northern Agency Area Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1930 (M595 Roll 303) FS Library: 579713
  • 1931 (M595 Roll 304) FS Library: 579714
  • 1932 (M595 Roll 305) FS Library: 579715
  • 1933 (M595 Roll 306) FS Library: 579716
  • 1934-36 (M595 Roll 307) FS Library: 579717
  • 1937 (M595 Roll 277) FS Library: 579687
Southern Agency Area Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1929-30: A-G (M595 Roll 518) FS Library: 581893
  • 1930: H-Z (M595 Roll 519) FS Library:581894
  • 1931: A-G (M595 Roll 520) FS Library: 581895
  • 1931: H-Z (M595 Roll 521) FS Library: 581896
  • 1932: A-B (M595 Roll 522) FS Library: 581897
  • 1932: C-M (M595 Roll 523) FS Library: 581898
  • 1932: N-Z (M595 Roll 524) FS Library: 581899
  • 1933: A-G Arizona (M595 Roll 525) FS Library: 581900
  • 1933: H-Z Arizona (M595 Roll 526) FS Library:5818901
  • 1933: New Mexico (M595 Roll 527) FS Library 5818902
  • 1934: A-G Arizona (M595 Roll 528) FS Library: 581903
  • 1934: H-Z Arizona (M595 Roll 529) FS Library:581904
  • 1934: New Mexico (M595 Roll 530) FS Library:581905
  • 1934-135:(M595 Roll 531) FS Library:581906
  • 1937:Arizona (M595 Roll 278) FS Library: 579688
  • 1937:Arizona (M595 Roll 279) FS Library:579689
  • 1937:New Mexico (M595 Roll 280) FS Library:579690
Western Agency Area Records[edit | edit source]
  • 1915-29 (M595 Roll 640) FS Library:573099 (*1915-28 are Hopi and 1929 are Navajo)
  • 1930 (M595 Roll 641) FS Library;573100
  • 1931 (M595 Roll 642) FS Library:573101
  • 1932 (M595 Roll 643) FS Library:573102
  • 1933 (M595 Roll 644) FS Library:573103
  • 1934-35 (M595 Roll 645) FS Library:573104
  • 1937 (M595 Roll 281) FS Library:579691

1932 Hopi and Navajo Native American Census. By Jeff Bowen. FS Library book 970.1 B675h vol. 1 and 2 (# 825913)

      • When searching for individuals, your search should also include surrounding tribal records of the Apaches, Hopis (or Moqui), Paiutes, Pueblos, and Utes.

U.S. Population Census[edit | edit source]

The United States Federal Population Census records in regards to Navajo Indigenous People 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, and are usually limited to Natives living in or around border towns. 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.

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. in addition, 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. Census takers often wrote generic names for people using Navajo terms such as; "At'eed," (girl); "Ashkii," (boy); and "Asdzaan" (woman) or Hastiin (mister or man).

When searching U.S. Federal Indian Census records their records are divided into reservation boundaries which include:

  • Eastern Navajo Reservation
  • Luepp (located around Luepp, AZ)
  • Navajo (location and areas covered change over time)
  • Navajo Springs (located around Holbrook, AZ)
  • Northern Navajo Reservation
  • Pueblo Bonito (located around Chaco Canyon, NM)
  • San Juan (located around northern San Juan County, NM)
  • Southern Navajo Reservation
  • Western Navajo Reservation

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Education[edit | edit source]

Historically, Navajo children have attended Bureau of Indian Affair schools (boarding schools), public schools, and contract schools (mission schools). Each of these have their own sets of records, some of which have found their way into archives and historical societies. The Office of Indian Affairs (now Bureau of Indian Affairs) was charged with providing educational opportunities for Navajo pupils and identifying them through school census records and other means. Some of the schools attended by Navajo pupils include, but are not limited to:

See:

  • Martin M. Martinez, comp.School Census of Navajo Indians in McKinley and Valencia Counties, New Mexico, 1957, 1961. This is arranged alphabetically by surname. FS Library Collection.

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Indian Scouts

Navajo Indian Scouts of the Geronimo Expedition 1886 records indicates there were about 150 Navajo scouts, who were a part of the 5,000 man force under General Nelson A. Miles.

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Newspapers provide a wealth of information besides local happenings; birth, death, and even marriage information can be found in local newspapers around the Navajo reservation. Each paper is held at a variety of libraries, depositories, and institutions in different states. Here is a list of newspapers around the reservation that deal specifically with the Navajo, but are not limited to this list:

Arizona[edit | edit source]
  • (1946) Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff), previously known as (1883) the Coconino Sun
  • (1890) Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
  • (2004) Lake Powell Chronicle (Page)
  • (1981) Navajo-Hopi Observer (Flagstaff)
  • (1959) Navajo Times, The (Window Rock)
  • (1970) Phoenix New Times (Phoenix)
  • (1890) Winslow Mail, The (Winslow)
Colorado[edit | edit source]
  • Cortez Journal, The (Cortez)
New Mexico[edit | edit source]
  • (1880) Albuquerque Jounral (Albuquerque)
  • (1891) Daily Times, The (Farmington)
  • (1923) Gallup Independent (Gallup)
Utah[edit | edit source]
  • Southern Utah News (Kanab)

Religion[edit | edit source]

The Navajo have a complex polytheistic belief system which dictates how to treat oneself, others, and one's environment. This belief system has helped them deal with numerous groups of people entering into Navajo country. As the Spanish penetrated present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they introduced Spanish Christianity to the Navajos. The Navajos called Catholic priests and missionaries Bi’ee’dahninnezi (Catholic: the one with long clothes). There are some documentations from Spanish sources which include Navajo names, but usually the names are too generic to pinpoint ancestors. Mexican documentation also has this shortcoming.

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The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.


By the late 1800s, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) began moving into and settling southern Utah, Arizona and western New Mexico. The Navajos called these people Gaamalii (meaning: the fat ones that are coming). Mission records, missionaries and settlers wrote a number of journals and diaries that can include Navajo family names. Baptismal records and Church membership records are harder to come by and are usually limited to Church members only. But, baptismal and Church membership records in earlier times are very limited as to the fact that when Navajos were incorporated into the Church, the Church did not have plans of establishing or maintaining religious contact with the Navajos unless there was a dire need.

As the United States gained control over present-day New Mexico and Arizona, they began assigning religious groups to the different tribes. Mainly the Bi’ee’adaałts’isi (Presbyterian or Protestants) were assigned to the Navajo reservation.

  • Bi’ee’adaałts’isi (Presbyterian or Protestants)
  • Bi’ee’dahninnezi (Catholic: the one with long clothes)
  • Daachaaigii (Pentecostal or Baptist)
  • Gaamalii (Latter-day Saints)

State Resources[edit | edit source]

The Navajo Reservation is located in three different states, covering a number of counties. Each of these areas have resources available to the public to search for ancestors.

Arizona[edit | edit source]
Colorado[edit | edit source]

Fort Lewis College: Center of Southwest Studies

New Mexico[edit | edit source]
Utah[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Some of these references will include FamilySearch Library call numbers starting with FS Library.

Wikipedia has more about this subject: Navajo people

Published[edit | edit source]

Biographies[edit | edit source]

Culture[edit | edit source]

Reichard, Gladys A. Social Life of the Navajo Indians: With Some Attention to Minor Ceremonies. Appendix: Navajo Genealogies FS Library film 0001307 WorldCat

Code Talkers[edit | edit source]

  • Bruchas, Joseph. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two.
  • McClain, Sally. Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers. FS Library Collection
  • Paul, Doris. The Navajo Code Talkers.
  • They Talked Navajo: "diné bi-zaad choź-iid"; the United States Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers of World War II; a record of their reunion, July 9-10, 1971, Window Rock, Arizona FS Catalog book 970.3 N227ti

Education[edit | edit source]

  • McCarty, Teresa L. A Place to Be Navajo:Rough Rock and the Struggle for Self-Determination in Indigenous Schooling.
  • Roessel, Robert. Navajo Education, 1948-1978:Its Progress and Its Problems.
  • Roessel, Robert. Navajo Education in Action:The Rough Rock Demonstration School.
  • Thompson, Hildegard. The Navajos Long Walk for Education a History of Navajo Education.

General History[edit | edit source]

  • Acrey, Bill. Navajo History: The Land and the People.
  • Bailey, Garrick and Roberta G. Bailey. A History of the Navajos: The Reservation Years.
  • Collier, John. On the Gleaming Way: Navajos, Eastern Pueblos, Zunis, Hopis, Apaches, and their land, and their meaning to the world. FS Library 970.1 C69o
  • Forbes, Jack D. Apache, Navaho (sic) and Spaniard. FS Library 970.1 F744a
  • Goodman, James M. The Navajo Atlas': environments, resources, people, and history of the Diné Bikeyah. FS Library 970.3 N227g
  • Iverson, Peter and Monty Roessel. Dine': A History of the Navajos.
  • James, George Wharton. The Indians of the Painted Desert Region: Hopis, Navahoes (sic) Wallapais, Havasupais. FS Library 970.1 J233i
  • Kelly, Lawrence C. The Navajo Indians and Federal Indian Policy, 1900-1935. FS Library 970.3 N227k
  • Kluckhohn, Clyde. And Dorothea Leighton. The Navaho. FS Library 970.3 N227n
  • Locke, Raymond Friday. The Book of the Navajos.
  • Parman, Donald L. The Navajos and the New Deal. FS Library 970.3 N227pa
  • Sundberg, Lawrence. Dinetah: An Early History of the Navajo People.
  • Underhill, Ruth. The Navajos.
  • Thomas, Alfred Barnaby and Juan Bautista de Arza. Forgotten Frontiers: a study of the Spanish Indian policy of Con Juan Bautista de Arza, governor of New Mexico, 1777-1787. FS Library 970.1 T361f
  • Underhill, Ruth. The Navajos. FS Library 970.3 N227
  • Wilkins, David E. The Navajo Political Experience

Land Dispute[edit | edit source]

  • Benally, Malcolm. Bitter Water: Dine' Oral Histories of the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Peoples.
  • Benedek, Emily. The Wind Won't Know Me: A History of the Navajo-Hopi Dispute.

Language[edit | edit source]

Long Walk[edit | edit source]

  • Bailey, Lynn Robison. Long Walk: A History of the Navajo Wars, 1864-1868.
  • Broderick, Johnson. Navajo Stories of the Long Walk Period.
  • Denetdale, Jennifer. The Long Walk: The Forced Navajo Exile.

Maps[edit | edit source]

  • Moqui and Navajo Reservations with Navajo extensions. National Archives: NA RG 75 no. 8782 tube no. 1243 FS Library Collection
  • Summer, R.C. Map of Navajo Reservation. National Archives: Denver FRG RG 75 FRC 753242. FS Library Collection

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Tribal Newspaper: Navajo Times

Obituary Archives (2014)

Government[edit | edit source]

Navajos: Autobiographies and Biographies[edit | edit source]

  • Denetdale, Jennifer Nez. Reclaiming Dine' History: The Legacies of Navajo Chief Manuelito and Juanita.
  • Frisbie, Charlotte and David P. McAllester. Navajo Blessingway Singer: The Autobiography of Frank Mitchell, 1881-1967.
  • Hoffman, Virginia. Navajo Biographies.
  • Leake, Harvey and Louisa Wade Wetherill. Wolfkiller: Wisdom From a Nineteenth-Century Navajo Shepherd.
  • Lee, George P. Silent Courage:An Indian Story:The Autobiography of George P. Lee, a Navajo.
  • McPherson, Robert S. A Navajo Legacy: The Life and Teachings of John Holiday.
  • McPherson, Robert S. Journey of Navajo Oshley:An Autobiography and Life History.
  • McPherson, Robert S. Navajo Tradition, Mormon Life:The Autobiography and Teaching of Jim Dandy.
  • McPherson, Robert S. and Samuel Holiday. Under the Eagle:Samuel Holiday, Navajo Code Talker.
  • Turner, Ann. The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Dairy of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1864.

Religion[edit | edit source]

  • Bahr, Howard M. The Navajo as Seen by the Franciscans, 1898-1921.
  • Bahr, Howard M. The Navajo as Seen by the Franciscans, 1920-1950.
  • Brugge, David. Navajos in the Catholic Church Records of New Mexico, 1694-1875.
  • Centennial Book Committee, eds. Rehoboth Christian School, 1903-2003: Celebrating 100 Years of God's Faith.
  • De. Korne, John C. Navaho and Zuni for Christ:Fifty Years of Indian Missions.
  • Reichard, Gladys A. Navaho Religion.

Traders[edit | edit source]

  • Adams, William Y. Shonto: A Study of the Role of the Trader in a Modern Navaho Community.
  • Blue, Martha. Indian Trader: The Life and Times of J.L. Hubbell.
  • Berkowitz, Paul and Kevin Gilmartin. The Case of the Indian Trader: Billy Malone and the National Park Service Investigation at Hubbel Trading Post.
  • Evans, Will. Along Navajo Trails: Recollections of a Trader, 1898-1948.
  • Gillmor, Frances and Louisa Wade Wetherill. Traders to the Navajos:The Story of the Wetherills.FS Library Collection
  • Graves, Laura. Thomas Varker Keam, Indian Trader.
  • Kennedy, John D. A Good Trade: Three Generations of Life and Trading Around the Indian Capital Gallup, New Mexico.
  • Kennedy, Mary Jeannette. Tales of a Trader's Wife: Life on the Navajo Indian Reservation, 1913-1938.
  • James, H.L. Rugs and Posts:The Story of Navajo Weaving and the Role of the Indian Trader.
  • Moon, Samuel. Tall Sheep:Harry Goulding, Monument Valley Trader.
  • Richardson, Gladwell. Navajo Trader.
  • Steckel, Carl F. Early Day Trader with the Navajos.
  • Trafzer, Clifford. Navajos and Anglo Indian Traders.
  • Wagner, Sallie and Mary Tate Engels. Tales from Wide Ruins: Jean and Bill Cousins, Traders.
  • Wagner, Sallie and Edward T. Hall. Wide Ruins: Memories from a Navajo Trading Post.

Vital records[edit | edit source]

  • Bowen, Jeff. Western Navajo Reservation: Navajo, Hopi and Paiute Indians, birth and death rolls, 1925-1933 FS Library Collection

Unpublished[edit | edit source]

  • Bushman, Virgil and Nellie Bushman. Navajo Indian Cemetery Records and Some New Mexico Cemetery Records Online: and
  • City of Winslow Historic Preservation Commission. Index of Winslow Indian Sanatorium Cemetery: from Navajo County death certificates published from 1933 through 1960.
  • Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives; Record Group 75, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  • Navajo Indian Cemetery records and Some New Mexico Cemetery Records FamilySearch FS Library US New MexicoCD # 1423 To utilized this CD in the FamilySearch Library you will need to use a computer with a "patron desk top".
  • Navajo Stock Reduction Interviews of Dean Sundberg and Fern Charley Available through the FamilySearch Catalog
  • Navajo Tribal Mueum Archives, 1832-1966: Indian Papers. by Utah State Board of Education.
  • Smith, Edward D. Range Riding and Navajo stock Reduction, (Oral History) O.H. 1155 Available through the FamilySearch Catalog
  • Tietjen, Gary (Elder and Sister). Vital records of the Eastern Navajos. Contents: Crownpoint Cemetery -- The Grants Cemetery -- The Rehoboth Cemetery -- The Smith Lake Cemetery -- The Thoreau Cemetery -- Obituaries of Eastern Navajos -- McKinley County death register, 1941-1961 -- Social security death records. FS Library Collection
  • United States Selective Service System. Arizona, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. FS Library Collection

Websites[edit | edit source]

Family History: Online Examples[edit | edit source]

Government[edit | edit source]

Information[edit | edit source]

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

1. "The New Nation, 1783-1815: Government Policy Toward Native Americans: Superintendent of Indian Affairs."

References[edit | edit source]