Native American Genealogy – Episode 76
Native American genealogy research follows the same path that all good genealogy research does, but it also includes some unique records along the way. It’s a fascinating journey, and in Elevenses with Lisa episode 76 professional genealogist Judy Nimer Muhn (Lineage Journeys) joins Lisa Louise Cooke to pave the way. Judy will discuss:
- Tribal and personal naming conventions
- Tribal-specific resources
- How geography impacts research
- Native American genealogical records
- and more…
Episode 76 Show Notes
Native American genealogy research follows the same path that all good genealogy research does, but it also includes some unique records along the way. It’s a fascinating journey, and in Elevenses with Lisa episode 76 professional genealogist Judy Nimer Muhn (Lineage Journeys) joins Lisa Louise Cooke to pave the way. Judy will discuss:
- Tribal and personal naming conventions
- Tribal-specific resources
- How geography impacts research
- Native American genealogical records
- and more…
Five Tribes
- Navaho/Navajo: Diné
- Cherokee: Tsalagi or Aniyunwiya
- Sioux: Lakota, Nakota or Dakota
- Chippewa: Ojibwa
- Choctaw: Choctah or Chahta
GEOGRAPHY
Native Land Map
Features:
- Enter a location
- Mouse and click around on the map to see the relevant territories in a location.
- Select or search from a dropdown of territories, treaties, and languages.
- Click and links will appear with nation names. Click a link to be taken to a page specifically about that nation, language, or treaty.
- Export the map to a printable image file
- You can turn map labels on or off to see non-Indigenous borders and towns
- Mobile apps available for iOS and Android.
Native Map Digital Map
CENSUS RECORDS
Census Records at Genealogy Websites:
- Ancestry ($)
- MyHeritage ($)
- FamilySearch
From the Article: “Native people were largely excluded from the federal census until at least 1860.”
Native American Research at FamilySearch Wiki
National Archives
- Article by James P. Collins called Native Americans in the Census, 1860-1890 which will help you understand what you may be able to find during that time period.
At the National Archives you will find:
- Links to Native American records
- Download data collection research sheets for free
Visit the National Archives resource page for Native American Research
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs was required to take an annual census of Native communities. (ex. Dawes Rolls)
- Some are available for free at Familysearch.org
- Compiled into one collection ranging from 1885 to 1940.
- Not all communities were represented.
- Collection may not be fully indexed
Free Native American Genealogy Databases
- 1817 Cherokee Reservation Roll
- 1880 Cherokee Census
- 1924 Baker Roll
- 1954 Proposed Ute Rolls
- Armstrong Rolls
- Dawes Commission Case Files
- (Dawes Rolls) Final Rolls Index and Search the Final Rolls
- Drennen Rolls
- Guion Miller Roll
- Kern Clifton Rolls
- McKennon Roll
- Old Settlers Roll
- Wallace Roll
Library of Congress
Here you’ll find many resources including newspapers, photos and reports to congress and oral histories.
Judy found materials deep within the Library of Congress website using Googling strategies from my book The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox available exclusively at the Genealogy Gems Store.
Michigan State University
Native American Studies Research Guide: Introduction
Michigan State University Native American Resources
Resources
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7 Reasons to Start a Family History Blog
![family history blog]("Ethel Merman NYWTS-restored" by Ethel_Merman_NYWTS.jpg: Walter Albertin, World Telegram staff photographerderivative work: PawełMM (talk) - Ethel_Merman_NYWTS.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ethel_Merman_NYWTS-restored.jpg#/media/File:Ethel_Merman_NYWTS-restored.jpg)
More and more people are blogging about their family history. Here’s why!
When it comes right down to it, many of us want to write up our family stories, but we don’t really want to write or publish a 300-page book. Blogging your family history in short snippets is a perfect alternative! Why?
1. Its shorter, flexible format is much less intimidating for many people. You don’t have to lay out a book or fill hundreds of pages. You can write a little bit at a time, as your time and mood permit.
2. A blog is like your own family history message board. Every word you write is searchable by Google–which means others researching the same family lines can find and connect with you.
3. A family history blog can help bust your toughest brick wall. I’ve heard and shared countless stories here at Genealogy Gems from readers and listeners of how just “putting it out there” on a blog led to someone contacting them with a treasure trove of new information about their family tree.
4. Writing a narrative about your research will help you identify gaps in your research. Sometimes errors or bad assumptions you made will jump out at you.
5. Your kids and grandkids are (or will be) online. They will more likely want to read quick and easy stories on the go on their smart phones and tablets. Putting your research out there on a blog provides them with an easy way to digest the family heritage and subscribe to it, since blogs can be delivered to their email inbox or to a blog reader.
6. Because there are no excuses. You can start a blog for free. There are no rules, so you can decide how often and how much you write at once.
7. If you leave the blog online, it will still be there even when you’re not actively blogging. You will continue to share–and you may continue to attract relatives to it.
Resource:
Start a family history blog with this free series from our Family History Made Easy podcast (an online radio show)
Part 1: What to Consider when Starting a Genealogy Blog. The “Footnote Maven,” author of two popular blogs, talks about the process of starting a genealogy blog. She gives great tips for thinking up your own approach, finding a unique niche, commenting on other people’s blogs and more.
Part 2: Insights from Popular Genealogy Bloggers. We hear from two additional popular genealogy bloggers, Denise Levenick (author of The Family Curator and alter ego of “Miss Penny Dreadful” on the Shades of the Departed blog) and Schelly Tallalay Dardashti (author of the Tracing the Tribe blog).
Part 3: Step by Step on Blogger.com. How to create your own free family history blog on Blogger.com. Learn tricks for designing a simple, useful blog and how NOT to overdo it!
Final tips: Wrap-up and inspiration. In this concluding episode, learn how to add a few more gadgets and details to your blog; pre-plan your blog posts, publish your first article, and how to help your readers subscribe. You’ll also get great tips on how to create genealogy content that others looking for the same ancestors can find easily online.
SHARE! Invite someone you know to start a family history blog by sending them this post. They’ll thank you for it later!