What steps are in order to prove my American Indian heritage?

Question

Is there any easier way to look through the Dawes Rolls? Any info is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

You would only look at the Dawes Rolls IF your family was one of the tribal people who walked the Trail of Tears and made it all of the way to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.  If you descend from any people other than those described in the first sentence you would not look on the Dawes Rolls as the Dawes Rolls only recorded those who ended up in IT after walking the ToT.

Honestly, the best thing for you to do is to do basic genealogy.  Start with yourself.  Trace your parents to their parents to their parents until you are at the person you believe to be an American Indian.  Determine which tribe that person was a part of.  Dates and locations will play a major role in determining tribe.  For example, if your ggrandparent was in California in 1904 they probably wouldn't be Cherokee.  If your ggrandparent was in upstate New York in 1884 you might try looking at some of the NY tribes.  Once the tribe is determined, contact that tribe directly to see if they have record of your family.  If your ancestor 'passed' and did not claim his/her American Indian heritage, there will probably not be any records with the tribe.  In that case, your ancestor made the choice not only for themself but also for all of their descendants including you.

Answer 2

The only  to prove you're American Indian heritage without records is an ancestrial dna test.They will give you a percentage and even tell you what tribe you are.For example my maternal great-grandmother was full-blood muskogee-creek indian,and we always new she was indian,but she was adopted,so she had a dna test to prove that.And her husbands grandmother was also an adopted creek indian.

So there were a lot of indians had a new identity in the white society,and the only way for them to prove there indian is by ancestrial dna test.

Answer 3

In order to be enrolled in my dad's tribe you have to complete a blood test and after your Native Blood quantum is confirmed, it is compared to your relatives to prove you are from that family (big process, but its to safe guard us from free loaders and want-to be's) If you really are Native American, the best way to start proving it is to research your family history. My mom did that at ancestry.com or something and was finally able to find which tribe her grandmother came from. Go figure that tribe isn't federally recognized, so our Indian blood from that side of my family is nullified (meaning the Government does not recognize it) I should be considered 3/8 Indian, but my enrollment card says 1/4th. Anyways, if you can find documentation linking you to a specific tribe, visit their enrollment office and ask them what their process is to become a member (each tribe is different) if you don't qualify, just be happy to know part of you comes from an amazing, strong group of people.