|
|
Line 13: |
Line 13: |
| The National Archives also has military and service related records, passenger arrival records, and other records of value to persons involved in genealogical research. A copy of the free leaflet, Genealogical Records in the National Archives is available on request. | | The National Archives also has military and service related records, passenger arrival records, and other records of value to persons involved in genealogical research. A copy of the free leaflet, Genealogical Records in the National Archives is available on request. |
|
| |
|
| The National Archives at [http://www.nara.gov/ www.nara.gov] has various publications for sale. The Archives have microfilmed all censuses. Individuals can purchase copies of the microfilm rolls and associated genealogical materials. Various rolls of microfilm are available for rental at the National Archives. The telephone number for rental and sales requests is 1-800-234-8861. | | The National Archives at [http://www.nara.gov/ www.nara.gov] has various publications for sale. The Archives have microfilmed all censuses. Individuals can purchase copies of the microfilm rolls and associated genealogical materials. Various rolls of microfilm are available for rental at the National Archives. The telephone number for rental and sales requests is 1-800-234-8861. |
|
| |
|
| === Records Concerning Native American === | | === Records Concerning Native American === |
Line 22: |
Line 22: |
|
| |
|
| *Land allotment records. | | *Land allotment records. |
| *Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940, arranged by agencies for the entire United States (On 692 FamilySearch Library films beginning with 573847). | | *Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940, arranged by agencies for the entire United States (On 692 FamilySearch Library films beginning with 573847). |
| *BIA heirship, school, census, annuity, probate, land, vital, and other records. | | *BIA heirship, school, census, annuity, probate, land, vital, and other records. |
|
| |
|
Line 29: |
Line 29: |
| If you know what tribe your ancestor belonged to, and if your ancestor stayed with the tribe, and if they were recognized by that tribe as a member, and if the agent kept good records, and if those records were not destroyed by a fire or some other calamity, you shold start your research with National Archives Microfilm Publication M595 (FS Library book 973 J53m No. 595), which reproduces the "Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940." Agents were required by an act of Congress of 4 July 1884 to submit these census rolls annually. They generally contain each Native American's Indian name ("English" and/or "Indian"), age or date of birth, sex, and relationship to the head of the family. | | If you know what tribe your ancestor belonged to, and if your ancestor stayed with the tribe, and if they were recognized by that tribe as a member, and if the agent kept good records, and if those records were not destroyed by a fire or some other calamity, you shold start your research with National Archives Microfilm Publication M595 (FS Library book 973 J53m No. 595), which reproduces the "Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940." Agents were required by an act of Congress of 4 July 1884 to submit these census rolls annually. They generally contain each Native American's Indian name ("English" and/or "Indian"), age or date of birth, sex, and relationship to the head of the family. |
|
| |
|
| Beginning in 1930, most rolls include degree of blood and marital status. The Select Catalog (''American Indians: a select catalog of National Archives microfilm publications''<nowiki>: FS Library book 970.1 A3a) provides a list of the contents of each of the 92 rolls of microfilm. Unfortunately, M595 does not include any rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole) except for an 1885 Choctaw census (which is on roll 623).</nowiki><br><br> | | Beginning in 1930, most rolls include degree of blood and marital status. The Select Catalog (''American Indians: a select catalog of National Archives microfilm publications''<nowiki>: FS Library book 970.1 A3a) provides a list of the contents of each of the 92 rolls of microfilm. Unfortunately, M595 does not include any rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole) except for an 1885 Choctaw census (which is on roll 623).</nowiki><br><br> |
| ''For a more extensive article about searching these records, [[How to Find Native American Ancestors Using the 20th Century U.S. Censuses|click here]]''. | | ''For a more extensive article about searching these records, [[How to Find Native American Ancestors Using the 20th Century U.S. Censuses|click here]]''. |
|
| |
|
Line 40: |
Line 40: |
| === Guion Miller Cherokee Rolls === | | === Guion Miller Cherokee Rolls === |
|
| |
|
| In 1906, the U.S. Government appointed Guion Miller to compile a roll of Cherokees eligible for compensation from the government for lands taken in the 1830s. Applicants had to document their lineage back to an Eastern Cherokee living in the 1830s and prove that they had not affiliated with any other tribe. Over 45,000 applications that document about 90,000 Cherokees living about 1910 are in Eastern Cherokee Applications, 1906-1909 (On 348 FS Library films beginning with 378,594; film 378594 has an index.) | | In 1906, the U.S. Government appointed Guion Miller to compile a roll of Cherokees eligible for compensation from the government for lands taken in the 1830s. Applicants had to document their lineage back to an Eastern Cherokee living in the 1830s and prove that they had not affiliated with any other tribe. Over 45,000 applications that document about 90,000 Cherokees living about 1910 are in Eastern Cherokee Applications, 1906-1909 (On 348 FS Library films beginning with 378,594; film 378594 has an index.) |
|
| |
|
| These rolls can be searched online at http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/native-americans-guion-miller.html | | These rolls can be searched online at http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/native-americans-guion-miller.html |
|
| |
|
| The M595 publication will only take you back to 1885. Depending on the tribe you are researching, there are probably earlier census or annuity rolls and the Field Branch that has the agent's records that can probably give you information about them. In general, the earlier the roll the less data it contains. In many cases, the agent only listed the Indian's name and perhaps the amount of money he or she received. Unfortunately, the "roll numbers" from one list seldom have any relation to earlier or later rolls and will not help you make positive identifications. | | The M595 publication will only take you back to 1885. Depending on the tribe you are researching, there are probably earlier census or annuity rolls and the Field Branch that has the agent's records that can probably give you information about them. In general, the earlier the roll the less data it contains. In many cases, the agent only listed the Indian's name and perhaps the amount of money he or she received. Unfortunately, the "roll numbers" from one list seldom have any relation to earlier or later rolls and will not help you make positive identifications. |
|
| |
|
| One source of lists of names that is often overlooked is the Congressional Serial Set, which contains documents received by Congress from various sources (primarily agencies of the Executive Branch) and reports published by Congressional committees. Many of these documents relate to claims against the government for Indian depredations or claims by Indians for rights under treaties. Some documents include lists of Indians but seldom provide much genealogical information. See Angela McComas, ''[http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/Mid_Continent_Library/Congress_and_My_Family_History/Player.html Congress and My Family History]'' (12 minute online video) [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/learning-center FamilySearch Research Classes Online, and Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center], 2010. Steven L. Johnson's ''Guide to American Indian Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899'' (FS Library book 970.1 J637g) is an essential tool to using these documents. | | One source of lists of names that is often overlooked is the Congressional Serial Set, which contains documents received by Congress from various sources (primarily agencies of the Executive Branch) and reports published by Congressional committees. Many of these documents relate to claims against the government for Indian depredations or claims by Indians for rights under treaties. Some documents include lists of Indians but seldom provide much genealogical information. See Angela McComas, ''[http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/Mid_Continent_Library/Congress_and_My_Family_History/Player.html Congress and My Family History]'' (12 minute online video) [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/learning-center FamilySearch Research Classes Online, and Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center], 2010. Steven L. Johnson's ''Guide to American Indian Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899'' (FS Library book 970.1 J637g) is an essential tool to using these documents. |
|
| |
|
| === Pre-Federal Records === | | === Pre-Federal Records === |
Line 68: |
Line 68: |
| Prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) there are relatively few rolls of Cherokee citizens. In ''Occupying the Cherokee Country of Oklahoma'' (published by the University of Nebraska in 1978) Leslie Hewes estimates that there may have been as many as 22,000 Cherokees living in the Southeast prior to the arrival of European settlers. Unfortunately for genealogists, no one made lists of their names. As early as 1792, some Cherokees began moving west as the area of European settlement expanded and the national Archives has "emigration rolls" for the period 1817-1838, which contain the names of people who wished to relocate. Many of these rolls have been transcribed by Jack D. Baker and published in 1977 by the Baker Publishing Company in Oklahoma City, ''Cherokee emigration rolls, 1817-1835'' (FS Library book 970.3 C424e). | | Prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) there are relatively few rolls of Cherokee citizens. In ''Occupying the Cherokee Country of Oklahoma'' (published by the University of Nebraska in 1978) Leslie Hewes estimates that there may have been as many as 22,000 Cherokees living in the Southeast prior to the arrival of European settlers. Unfortunately for genealogists, no one made lists of their names. As early as 1792, some Cherokees began moving west as the area of European settlement expanded and the national Archives has "emigration rolls" for the period 1817-1838, which contain the names of people who wished to relocate. Many of these rolls have been transcribed by Jack D. Baker and published in 1977 by the Baker Publishing Company in Oklahoma City, ''Cherokee emigration rolls, 1817-1835'' (FS Library book 970.3 C424e). |
|
| |
|
| The first major census of Cherokees living in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee was taken by the Federal government, was compiled from June to December 1834, and is generally called the Henderson Roll. The roll only lists the name of the head of each family. An index to it has been reproduced as National Archives Microfilm Publication T496 (FamilySearch Libraryfilm 833322). | | The first major census of Cherokees living in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee was taken by the Federal government, was compiled from June to December 1834, and is generally called the Henderson Roll. The roll only lists the name of the head of each family. An index to it has been reproduced as National Archives Microfilm Publication T496 (FamilySearch Libraryfilm 833322). |
|
| |
|
| From 1835-1837 the Cherokees living in what is now Arkansas and Oklahoma were joined by thousands of Cherokees who moved under the terms of the treaty of New Echota, signed on 29 December 1835. The Old Settlers Roll of 1851 and the Drennen Payment Roll of 1851 are the best sources of the names of people who voluntarily moved west. They are both reproduced on the Old Setters Roll (FS Library book 970.3 C424wa) and their heirs who received a payment resulting from a decision of the U.S. Court of Claims of 6 June 1893. The payment roll has been microfilmed by the Fort Worth Branch of the National Archives (control number 7RA34) (FS Library film 830420) and an index to the roll is available as National Archives Microfilm Publication T985 (FS Library film 830419). | | From 1835-1837 the Cherokees living in what is now Arkansas and Oklahoma were joined by thousands of Cherokees who moved under the terms of the treaty of New Echota, signed on 29 December 1835. The Old Settlers Roll of 1851 and the Drennen Payment Roll of 1851 are the best sources of the names of people who voluntarily moved west. They are both reproduced on the Old Setters Roll (FS Library book 970.3 C424wa) and their heirs who received a payment resulting from a decision of the U.S. Court of Claims of 6 June 1893. The payment roll has been microfilmed by the Fort Worth Branch of the National Archives (control number 7RA34) (FS Library film 830420) and an index to the roll is available as National Archives Microfilm Publication T985 (FS Library film 830419). |
|
| |
|
| Most Cherokees, however, refused to relocate because to do so would mean the government could confiscate any land in their possession. These Cherokees were forcibly moved by the Federal government in 1838-1839 in what has come to be called the Trail of Tears. There is no consolidated list of all the people on the Trail of Tears (or their descendants), but the national Archives in Washington, D.C. does have numerous muster rolls prepared by the military officers in charge of the removal parties. Robert S. Cotterill's ''The Southern Indians'' (FS Library book 970.1 C828s) is an excellent source of information about the Five Civilized Tribes before removal. Also, the numerious footnotes to the various books by Grant Foreman are a source of valuable information about the tribes both before and after removal. One excellent source by Grant Foreman is ''The Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole'' (FS Library book 970.1 F761f). | | Most Cherokees, however, refused to relocate because to do so would mean the government could confiscate any land in their possession. These Cherokees were forcibly moved by the Federal government in 1838-1839 in what has come to be called the Trail of Tears. There is no consolidated list of all the people on the Trail of Tears (or their descendants), but the national Archives in Washington, D.C. does have numerous muster rolls prepared by the military officers in charge of the removal parties. Robert S. Cotterill's ''The Southern Indians'' (FS Library book 970.1 C828s) is an excellent source of information about the Five Civilized Tribes before removal. Also, the numerious footnotes to the various books by Grant Foreman are a source of valuable information about the tribes both before and after removal. One excellent source by Grant Foreman is ''The Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole'' (FS Library book 970.1 F761f). |
|
| |
|
| === 1900 Census === | | === 1900 Census === |
|
| |
|
| If you do not find your ancestor's name listed in the "final rolls" and you are sure they were living in Indian Territory, you should check the Soundex index to the 1900 Federal population census of the area that has been reproduced as National Archives Microfilm Publication T1081. The index will tell you exactly where the person is listed in the actual census schedules, which are reproduced as rolls 1843-1854 of T623. By 1900 there were almost four times as many non-Indians in Indian Territory as there were Indians. Therefore, you may find that the ancestor has been enumerated by the federal census taker as "white." | | If you do not find your ancestor's name listed in the "final rolls" and you are sure they were living in Indian Territory, you should check the Soundex index to the 1900 Federal population census of the area that has been reproduced as National Archives Microfilm Publication T1081. The index will tell you exactly where the person is listed in the actual census schedules, which are reproduced as rolls 1843-1854 of T623. By 1900 there were almost four times as many non-Indians in Indian Territory as there were Indians. Therefore, you may find that the ancestor has been enumerated by the federal census taker as "white." |
|
| |
|
| === Online Records === | | === Online Records === |
Line 94: |
Line 94: |
| {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" |
| |- | | |- |
| | '''Instructions ''' | | | '''Instructions ''' |
| | '''Examples ''' | | | '''Examples ''' |
| | '''Ancestor's Surname''' | | | '''Ancestor's Surname''' |
| |- | | |- |
| | 1. Write the family surname in the far right <br>column of this chart, but '''omit the letters H and'''<br>'''W''' if they are not the first letter. | | | 1. Write the family surname in the far right <br>column of this chart, but '''omit the letters H and'''<br>'''W''' if they are not the first letter. |
| | ASHCROFT = ASCROFT <br>CARWRIGHT = CARRIGT <br> | | | ASHCROFT = ASCROFT <br>CARWRIGHT = CARRIGT <br> |
| | <br> | | | <br> |
| |- | | |- |
| | 2. Write the first letter of the surname in the first blank. | | | 2. Write the first letter of the surname in the first blank. |
| | ASCROFT = A-_ _ _<br> CARRIGT = C-_ _ _ | | | ASCROFT = A-_ _ _<br> CARRIGT = C-_ _ _ |
| | <center>_-_ _ _</center> | | | <center>_-_ _ _</center> |
| |- | | |- |
| | 3. Cross out the remaining vowels (A, E, I, O, U, or Y). | | | 3. Cross out the remaining vowels (A, E, I, O, U, or Y). |
| | ASCROFT = A-SCRFT<br> CARRIGT = C-RRGT | | | ASCROFT = A-SCRFT<br> CARRIGT = C-RRGT |
| | <br> | | | <br> |
| |- | | |- |
Line 119: |
Line 119: |
| |- | | |- |
| | 6. Using the Soundex Code Key below, assign a Soundex <br>code to the first three of the remaining letters. Soundex <br>codes have one letter and three numbers. | | | 6. Using the Soundex Code Key below, assign a Soundex <br>code to the first three of the remaining letters. Soundex <br>codes have one letter and three numbers. |
| | ASRFT = A-261<br> CRGT = C-623 | | | ASRFT = A-261<br> CRGT = C-623 |
| | <br> | | | <br> |
| |- | | |- |
Line 131: |
Line 131: |
| {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" |
| |- | | |- |
| | '''Letter in surname ''' | | | '''Letter in surname ''' |
| | '''Code''' | | | '''Code''' |
| |- | | |- |