How Do I Find Out Which Native American Tribe I Come From?

Question

I am part Native American, but I don't know which side of my dad's family it comes from. I'd really like to find out more about my history and heritage, but don't know where to start. My grandfather on my dad's side is from Mississippi, but I'm not sure where his mother is from. I can't ask either one of them, for they are both deceased. I have a lot of uncles on my dad's side, but I really don't think any of them would know the answer. Does anyone know how I could go about finding out which tribe my heritage comes from?

Answer 1

I want to clear up something I see repeatedly on this site.  The inference that unless someone can prove they have "paperwork" that they are somehow "certainly and assuredly" not Native American.  That is false. States like Virginia had massive quantities of records burned by ignorant Union troops - many of whom were burning their own ancestral records. Virginia is another example of a state that practiced "homogenization" of minorities for decades, and actively encouraged other states to do the same.  One example - they designated all minorities as African Americans because there were already laws on the books to make it illegal for African Americans and Whites to marry or have children.  Making every single non-white into one non-white designation made the job of racism much more efficient for the twisted minds who practiced it.  This does NOT mean that every ancestor of these people were not Native American.  It means that someone went to great lengths to disrespect that they were Native American.  

Americans operated under the assumption for over 100 years that Indians were a "vanished race".  Movies and books were written on the topic.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and over 5 Million people in the U.S. claim Native American heritage.

So, back to your question.  You did NOT ask, how can I prove to the White Race that I am a tribal member?  (This is very confusing to White people - they don't always listen closely enough to understand the issue).  What you clearly asked is how do I find out (not PROVE to someone else) which Native American Tribe I Come From?

Indian people have passed on very reliable information for their own purposes through oral histories.  In the early part of this century, Indian people were taught to be ashamed of those oral traditions, that only "papers" and "certificates" and "rolls" had any basis in fact.  Oral traditions and ancient ceremonies were ridiculed and dismantled by administrating, meddling whites - sometimes out of ignorance by well-meaning whites, and often out of malicious intent.  Start by asking every remaining relative that you have to tell you anything that they remember, observed, heard or even "suspected" that relates to any potential Indian ancestry.  Next follow it up with personal conversations that any potential contact could provide you.  This provides a place to start.  If your ancestry is former long-time residents of Mississippi, there is a high percentage chance that they could be Choctaw, Chickisaw, Natchez - among other peoples less likely due to smaller numbers.  Keep in mind that many elderly people were taught their whole life to say "no, I am not Indian - I am Black Dutch, or I am Portuguese, or, I am Italian, or I am Creole... etc., etc., etc. - so that they could simply get along in life without being persecuted.  But that does NOT mean that they are biologically any less Indian.  

Once you've narrowed down every possible lead available (as more will pop up later as you gain ability and data in your search) THEN you can start zeroing in on potential tribes.

Again, I am personally offended when people are answered like you were above.  You didn't state "I might be Native American".  You didn't state, please help me determine IF I am Native American".  But that's how you were answered.  What you actually stated was "I AM Native American".  That should be clear enough for most people.

Non-whites like to have control of what an Indian is.  I have had people look at me and say, "you don't look Indian" when they don't even know what Indian Nation I'm from. But in fact, I look like just about everyone in it.  In their mind, if someone doesn't show up in a headdress, braids and buckskins, then they can't be an Indian, because they watched "Indian movies", and they will determine what an Indian is.  Or, worse, they just want Indians to "vanish".  Well, that was attempted, but will not happen.  

I want you to buy a book.  It is called "Cherokee Proud" by Tony Mack McClure, Ph.D.  It is Cherokee-specific, but regardless of what your ancestry turns out to be, Tony does a wonderful job of explaining a productive process for discovery, then research, in exploring your Indian heritage, from the perspective of a Mixed Blood Indian - what most of us are if we trace back to the 5 Civilized Tribes, or origins East of the Mississippi.  It will give you a sense of pride in using your instincts, family lore and oral history - in addition to objective research (both are essential) in tracing what you know already.  No one has the right to assume that what you know about your family is somehow incorrect if you don't have a piece of paper to prove it.  The white race perpetrates this on no other people in our nation - no one else has to have a "paper" to prove what they are, like some kind of pedigreed farm animal.  Read Tony's book and you'll be headed toward productive ground.  It wasn't "all on paper" before the Europeans got here

Answer 2

You will need to work backwards using BMD (birth marriage death) records and other "clue" records from you to the most recent NA ancestor to establish your tie to the ancestor. To know they were NA it might be noted on a BMD record or on another record. Most of the time it will just say "Indian" without giving a tribe, but knowing that + where they came from will give you a rough clue as to which tribe to spend your time looking at.  This isn't a precise method since people do move around.  In some, but not all, cases that ancestor or one that you can genealogically link to them will be listed on the Indian Scrolls. Some other useful tools for NA heritage are BIA records, censuses, military records, Indian school records, and tribal records.

One thing to keep in mind: many NA's were never documented, so you may hit an end of the line in your document-able genealogy. That's OK. In the process you'll still discover a full and rich history of amazing people that made you possible.  I wish you well on your journey!

Answer 3

http://www.cyndislist.com/beginner.htm

You can't attach anyone to any tribe (or not) without knowing your basics, and how to find documentation.  Asking family is considered more "preliminary" interviews.. almost every researcher quickly learns that memory is very fragile or was wrong to begin with.

Starting with your own birth certificate.. use that to prove your own parents.  Before you laugh at me (I am used to that).. the purpose is to start thinking of EVERYTHING in terms of a valid record, and not personal knowledge.  Now, you can chuckle, I don't mind.

Next, go to parents and then grandparents.  Think of different places to find records, if family does not have them. The records will tell you what no one knows (which now makes it "research"), and points you to where the next one will be.  You'll learn about different records as you go.. since birth/death certificates were not always required. A tombstone isn't a certificate.. it IS a type of record.

Think scientifically.. you have an open mind to whatever is on the record.. not looking for the record to have what you expect. If it is there, it will show up.  Fair and friendly warning.. experienced researchers KNOW that a high percentage of persons who look for NA ancestry.. find that the records show otherwise. To put it kindly, it is a trendy thing to have.  If yours is among the families that actually do have NA lineage, it will show up in the process.