Roll
Review Tips
 When
the several Rolls were being compiled in the late 1800's and early
1900's, the typewriter was just beginning to replace the quill pen
and ink. As you can imagine, rewriting a 600 page listing
of names, each containing a hundred or so names, was a
monumental task. So ... bear in mind that often you will
find names out of alphabetical order. Some rolls, are listed
alphabetically by county, so when the county changed (which
was often) the list restarted with the letter "A".
Rather than retype the pages, names were handwritten in
margins, between columns, and worst of all -- in the space
between single-spaced typed lines (imagine handwriting
--not printing-- a name and number between the lines you
see here!).
I
have cataloged the Rolls indexes and pages noting the First
name and the Last name on that page. When you notice the
first name is not followed alphabetically by the page's last
listed name, then something caused the agent to begin the list
over alphabetically. That is a good indicator to look at that
page for your name.
Each
Indian Nation is a sovereign nation, having negotiated treaties
and laws (must be online) with the United States
of America. Each has the right to determine citizenship.
I have traced my ancestors to Europe, and to the American
Cherokee. I am not a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, nor
of any European nation. I am proud of my heritage, more so
of my renewed ties with my Cherokee heritage.
If
your goal is to acquire tribal membership, and you are successful
due to the information received here, please let me know
so that we can all celebrate the full circle of your journey
and return home.
Native
American Research Hints
Researching
family oral histories, concerning relationship to a Native
American tribal ancestor, requires patience, reading, and
documentation. In fact, it is hard work discovering the clues (which are out there) and linking them together leading to your American Indian ancestors. Why make that effort? Do this for yourself, and preserve what you discover for the children who may some day start down that path of discovering their Native American heritage. They will honor you for the memory of family and tribe you have passed to them.
Research also includes not losing focus on researching
other branches of your family tree. Read and learn the requirements
for tribal membership of the tribe(s) relevant to your research.
Don't exclude tribal names not a part of your oral history.
Prepare yourself to spend time trying to understand complex
government records, such as the Rolls, and tax records you
will certainly encounter on your quest to learn the truth
and establish a relationship with if possible with that distant
tribe.
Talk to your
relatives about your Indian ancestors. The sooner, the
better. The older folks will appreciate your attention to who
they are and what they remember about family history. If they
name a tribe, be open to the possibility that tribe name is
wrong, and perhaps you are related to another tribe altogether.
If they name a tribe not previously mentioned, don't "correct" them
... but ask why they believe that is the tribe. However, if
the tribe name is known, go to that tribes records. Research
where the tribes lived before the reservations. What state
is that today? Prepare to trace your family line back to that
location and tribe.
In researching,
you will note that family names often change. Be aware
that Native American names were often "Americanized" by
government agents who compiled lists of known tribal members.
Federal census lists of the 1880s are not all inclusive. Merely
finding a family name on such lists will not be sufficient
to prove tribal affiliation. Other factors exist, such as blood
percentage (for some tribes), and direct generational blood
relationship to someone listed on the rolls.
There is a
tremendous amount of government material available in archives and
on the web today, pertaining to Indian ancestors. Determine what tribe
your ancestors were from and learn where and when they lived. Determine
what records (usually federal government) were generated that might
pertain to them. If your Indian ancestors ever received payments, funds,
or land from the government, there is a good chance you will be able
to prove your Indian blood. Although you may be able to prove tribal
relationship, that may not be enough to permit tribal membership with
some tribes today.
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