How to Use the Dawes Rolls to Trace Your Indian Ancestry – Native American Pow Wows

How to Use the Dawes Rolls to Trace Your Indian Ancestry – Native American Pow Wows

As you’ve likely figured out by now, tracing your Indian heritage requires a lot of work. You may end up having to do a lot more work than you had initially anticipated.

When tracing your Native American genealogy, there are a lot of resources available to you that you may have not even thought of. One such resource is the Dawes Rolls, also known as the “Final Rolls.”

What are the Dawes Rolls?

In 1893, the Dawes Commission was established by the U.S. Congress for the purpose of trading land in the southeastern United States for land allotments in Oklahoma. Over 250,000 individuals belonging to five Indian tribes – the “Five Civilized Tribes,” including Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles – applied to the commission, and around 100,000 were approved. Land, usually a homestead, was granted to those who were accepted on the basis of tribal membership in one of the five tribes.

Thanks to diligent record-keeping, the rolls still exist and contain more than 101,000 names from the years 1894-1914. The rolls contain a record for each person’s name, blood degree, sex, and census number.

Why search the Dawes Rolls?

Searching the Dawes Rolls will likely not give you a lot of information about your ancestors specifically, but it will be a jumping off point to find information about them elsewhere. Also, if you are appealing for membership in one of the Five Civilized Tribes, you will likely have to prove your affiliation to a tribal member listed in the Rolls. Of course, you first must verify that that individual – your ancestor – actually can be found listed in the Rolls.

dawes roll native american seminole

The Dawes Rolls contain plenty of helpful information themselves, and they also act as a great jumping off point – they can provide direction for where else to look for information on your ancestry. For example, since they provide each individual’s census card number, you can use that information to look up their census card for other genealogical information. These census cards also sometimes mention the 1880 Cherokee census and earlier rolls.

You may also be able to find additional valuable information accompanying the census cards in the rolls. They were first collected alongside “application jackets,” which can contain other documents. These include marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and certain correspondences.

The five tribes still, to this day, refer to the Dawes Rolls in the process of determining someone’s tribal membership. Applicants typically must provide their own proof that they are descended from an individual listed within the rolls.

What should I know before my search?

Before you start idly perusing the Dawes Rolls’ online index for potential information on your genealogy, you should know your specific ancestor’s name and tribal affiliation. With this information, you will be able to deeply search the Rolls’ online archive for other documentation and valuable data. Here is a step-by-step process for effectively searching through the rolls online.

Related Info – What tribe am I from?

If you do not know their tribe, there are a few other places you can search. One of these is the 1900 Census, starting with the Soundex index; however, whether you’ll be able to find this information there depends on one important factor. If your ancestor lived among a predominantly Indian population, there will likely be information available on their tribe. However, if they lived among the general population, it is likely that the census information collected about them simply says “Indian.” If you can’t find their tribal affiliation through the 1900 Census, first find out where they lived, and work your way from there.


Ancestry US


If, after figuring out their location and tribal affiliation, you still can’t find them in the Rolls, it may be because they applied for the Dawes Commission, but were not accepted. The online index of the Final Rolls only includes those individuals who were accepted. However, the National Archives facility in Fort Worth contains information on everyone who applied to the commission.

Where do I go from there?

If you have searched through the Dawes Rolls and found your ancestor(s) and their census card number, there are a few further steps you can take. First, you can research the tribal membership information for each of the five tribes, which can be found here for each:

Read more about researching your family history.

 

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Paul G


33 Comments on “How to Use the Dawes Rolls to Trace Your Indian Ancestry – Native American Pow Wows”

  • Avatar for Shanda L Kerschner

    Shanda L Kerschner

    says:

    Hi,
    I know this is an old post, but I hope someone can still help me. I am the twelfth great-granddaughter of Pocahontas by her first husband, Kocoum Patawomeke. I know my great, great, great ( not sure how many) was born on a reservation in Volusia, FL. My maiden name is Murrow however that was not her last name but it may be important because Edward Roscoe Murrow and my grandfather were first cousins and it is a well-known fact that Edward R. Murrow is of Native American heritage. I believe my grandmother who was born on the reservation and his grandfather were sisters. Could someone direct me on which direction I would need to turn?

  • Avatar for alice marshall

    My great great grandmother was said to be part Cherokee. Her mothers was named NANCY BRUMIT born in Alabama. her name was Jemima Elliott. One of my relatives applied for Cherokee citizenship years ago,early 1900s. I have documents on it from Ancestry. I have several indians in my DNA from Ancestry also. I am interested in just how much Indian blood I have.

    • Avatar for Carla Dillard

      Carla Dillard

      says:

      I uploaded my dna that I sent to ancestry and downloaded from their site to a couple other sites like heritage and geonomes

  • Avatar for Jose Anthony Benny lujan jr.

    Jose Anthony Benny lujan jr.

    says:

    I have an Indian tribal number issued , my Indian ID card was stolen.
    How do I obtain a new card? And / find my number again.?

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Check with your tribe.

  • Avatar for Helen Siers Johnson

    Helen Siers Johnson

    says:

    I am a 4th. greatdaughter of Israel Friend (born 1693). He was married to Sarah Bokovar Hokolesqua and lived at Bakerton (just about 2 miles above Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia). Sarah Bokovar and Israel had 5 children one of which is Jacob Friend who is my patriot that I joined Daughters of The Revolution with. I have been told she was a Shawnee Indian. How do I start to find out?

    • Avatar for Vickey Williams

      Vickey Williams

      says:

      Looking for Elizabeth Rillar jones roll number

  • Avatar for Melissa Woods

    Melissa Woods

    says:

    I have the Dawes Roll numbers of 3 out of 4 of my native american ancestors… I am just having problems with not having their true ages when they originally filled out the form?

    Help please?

    Melissa Woods

    • Avatar for Shondolyon Warner

      Shondolyon Warner

      says:

      Hi Melissa,
      I am the granddaughter of Arlandrew and Flozell Eason Woods. I have made myself available for this venture to find our TRUTHS. How are you doing with this? Can I help?

  • Avatar for Steve

    Steve

    says:

    My 3rd great grandma is Chumash, how can I trace this ? I am 45% Native American.

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Start here – newpowwows.www.powwows.com/am-i-native

  • Avatar for Pamela Mitchell

    Pamela Mitchell

    says:

    My great-grandmother was full-blood Cherokee…which means I should be 1/8 I think. Ready to start search to prove/validate this, but have no idea of how to do this. Is there anyone out there who I can go to for help with this who is already educated in this?

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Start here – newpowwows.www.powwows.com/am-i-native

    • Avatar for Heidi

      Heidi

      says:

      My grandpa passed away and had all the info on this. I was told we were on the rolls but I can’t find any of his paperwork. How do I go about finding this info?

      • Avatar for Paul G

        Paul G

        says:

        Look here – newpowwows.www.powwows.com/am-i-native

  • Avatar for Debra Pike

    Debra Pike

    says:

    It is not easy to find any document at all for Indian ancestors before the Dawes rolls. I found I have a suspected Creek Grandmother named Mahala Long Watson, a Choctaw grandmother Sibbel Barnes Odom, and then a Cherokee grandmother Kesiah Musick listed in a published book by a local author on my mothers maiden name Musick. All 3 born in the 1700-1800’s. My family branch with them is bare because of no reliable parentage.

    My dna is 1% native American.

  • Avatar for Herb Garner

    Herb Garner

    says:

    My great-great grandmother was named Judith Hammonds and I believe she was born in what is now mid-eastern Alabama sometime in the 1830’s. My understanding is she was from the Creek tribe. How can I trace that lineage?

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Start here – newpowwows.www.powwows.com/am-i-native

  • Avatar for Kimberly florival

    Kimberly florival

    says:

    I know i am Cherokee because my grandfather was born on a reservation and his father had to take a whit labs mane in order to assimilate and leave the res. He chose John Hancock ad kind of a thumb of the nose for bedding forced to change his name. Here is the problem. My grandfather, like s lot of Indians at the time trying to fit in passed as white so on the census he is listed as white. I cannot remember tge original family babe before it was changed and my grandfather’s birth certificate was destroyed in a hospital fire. When he wad in the asn’t he was register as white. (He was born in 1905 if that gives perspective). What do i do? I don’t want anything other than to register and be acknowledged by my tribe, my roots run deep and feel i have to prove my lineage in order to be accepted. please tell me, what can be done in a situation where they choose to put white down instead of their true race??
    I have no idea by the way how he managed to pass for white since he and my mother are very clearly Indian in features and skin tone, although my mother used to be mistake for Mexican when we lived in the South west.

  • Avatar for Emily M.

    Emily M.

    says:

    Hello,
    My family has been able to trace our ancestry from two family members that were Creek; Chief William McIntosh and Chief George Cousins. Because my lineage comes from Catherine “Kate” McIntosh and she was unable to settle in the Indian Territory with her siblings, none of her descendants are on the Rolls. Although it was many generations ago, I would love to find out more about my heritage, but don’t know where to start since my ancestors aren’t on the Rolls.

  • Avatar for Tanya Garcia

    Tanya Garcia

    says:

    How can I find out the ancestors of my grandfather? I was told he is Cherokee and I would like to find out more information and see how much Cherokee or possible other tribe I may be. Thank you

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Start here – newpowwows.www.powwows.com/am-i-native

  • Avatar for R Lawrence

    R Lawrence

    says:

    Where do I find the testimony of an application denied?

  • Avatar for Cynthia Black

    I too have been told that I am Cherokee, but I was told that the family member was my great great grandfather but I can find the family member that family member on the roll. I was told that great great grandfather was to old to be on the roll. What do I do now?

  • Avatar for Lydia McDaniel

    Lydia McDaniel

    says:

    So close but I need help tribe in Loudon County VA and SC

    …GGG 1850 Census: Free Born, Grandfather James McDaniel ( B-1790 D ?) VA; Wife Sally (B-1795 D?) GGG Grandmother; Son, Sandy McDaniel (B 1825 D?) my GG Grandfather; Wife Lucinda (B-1832) GG Grandmother; Son John McDaniel, G Grandfather (B-1872 D-1932) (VA); Wife Emma Lewis, GG Grandmother (B-1869 D 1953, parents Henry & Mary Lewis (MD); Son, My Grandfather John H. McDaniel (B-1907 D-1968) (PA); Wife, Grandmother Esther Berry Stevenson McDaniel (B-1910 D-1988), Parents Amanda Berry & Howard Gibson, (PA); Son, My Daddy John H. McDaniel, Jr (B-1932 D-1992) (PA); Wife, My Mother Doretha Washington McDaniel (B-1934) (PA); her parents Charles Washington (1897-1978) (SC to PA) & Alberta Reed Washington (1902-1986) (SC to PA)

    • Avatar for Melissa johnson

      Melissa johnson

      says:

      My great grandma on my mom’s side was black foot or something my grandpa on my dad’s side was full blooded Cherokee Indian I need help how to figure out how to trace all of this

  • Avatar for Cindy

    Cindy

    says:

    I am looking for my grandfather’s tribe. HIs name was John Thomas Yarbrough born May 7, 1887 in Austin Texas. That is all the information I have. Thank you

  • Avatar for Linda Lewis

    My father James Edwin Lewis was a decedent of the North Carolina Cherokee Tribe. His father was full blooded Cherokee, However, he married a white woman and my father said the Indians took their White spouses last name Her name was Lewis she was Welch, My father told me ,,we were ancestors of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I was told I was 1/4 Cherokee, My father was born in Asheville, North Carolina. The name Grabele was brought up but can not remember who this was?
    Where do i start to see about my benefits I am entitled to.

  • Avatar for Laura

    Laura

    says:

    I have always been told I am part Cherokee Indian, but I do not have any living relatives that can help me. How can I find out more information about my heritage knowing so little?

  • Avatar for Jessica McCormick

    Jessica McCormick

    says:

    My name is Jessica McCormick and I am trying to find information on my native ancestry. I know my I am Shawnee,and it is through my father’s mothers, mother. They were from a tiny town in West Virginia.What I am asking is this good information that could be used in my search? And if so how do I utilize this information to do my search? I am truly hoping to find my family and I hope to start the process of becoming a recognized member of my Shawnee tribe.
    I thank you for your time and for any help you may be able to provide. Many blessings to you and may you have a peaceful and harmonious day.
    Sincerely,
    Jessica McCormick

    • Avatar for Helen Blair Siers (Johnson)

      I am from a small town in WV called Gassaway. My 4th. great grandfather Israel Friend was married to Sarah Bokovar Hokolesqua, a full blooded Shawnee. I have been to their homesite on the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry. I am a member of the Daughters of The American Revolution and my patriot is their son, Jacob Friend. Israel was deeded land by 5 chiefs of the Shawnee. I am very proud of my ancestry. I too would love to know more. On the other side of my family, Carpenter was their names, ggg grandfather was captured by the Indians and taken to Old Town across the river where the Kanawha River flows into the Ohio River. He was with them from age 9 to age 17 or 18. He was let go or escaped and returned later to get the Indian girl he loved and married her. They lived on Holy River in Braxton County where my g. grandmother was born. This was a much talked about subject

    • Avatar for Terri smith

      Terri smith

      says:

      Jessica,

      Hello, I have never really been told that I have Indian heritage in my DNA, but I have several ancestors that look like they do. Even my older sister looks like an Indian. My husband and I both did the DNA on ancestry and it says that I have 1% Native American -Andean, one my 3rd great grandmothers name was Louisa Ann Nichols Midkiff 1833–1891. I have a picture of her and it looks like she is wearing some form of Indian beads, but I am not 100% sure. Can I send you her picture. If you don’t think that you can help me, can you send me to someone who can, by the way, I am also from WV, south Charleston Wv.
      Thanks
      Mrs. Terri Smith

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