How Find Your Native American Ancestry

How Find Your Native American Ancestry

Where Do I Come From? Trace Your Native American Ancestors

So many of us seek the answer to that question. We turn to ancestry and genealogy websites to try and trace our history or perform a Google search of surnames to attempt to find out more about our heritage. It can be tough to find any concrete information, particularly for those of us with Indian ancestry.

Related Info – Whic Native American tribe am I from?

Before you dig yourself deep into a family history rabbit hole that’s going nowhere, take a step back. There are a few simple things you can do to start tracing your heritage today that will make it a lot easier to continue down the path to finding out where you come from.

In this post, we'll cover how to find out if you are Native American, how to prove you are Native American, and how to trace your Native American ancestry.

Gather your oral history

Your oral history includes anything your family members can remember about relatives both living and deceased and tell you about from memory. Living relatives are some of our best resources for finding out more about our family members past and present. Ask about names and birthdays of family members, but don’t stop there; gather stories and facts about them. The information may seem extraneous, but the more you know, the easier it will be to start tracing your heritage.  Take the time to talk to your relatives and record them!  These resources will not be around forever.

Sort through documents and photos

Once you’ve talked to all your living relatives, start sifting through family photos, documents, yearbooks, etc. Ask around for any relics or paperwork your family members have that might prove useful in your search. Search diligently through every place where documents or old photos might be found—that means the basements, attics and drawers of your own home, and the homes of your family members as well. Make photocopies of any documents that could prove to be important in your search in the future.

Check public records 

Churches, schools, and county courthouses are all good resources to check for information about your family and ancestral history in the area. Don’t limit your search to obvious records, such as birth and death certificates and marriage licenses. Many other documents could tell you important information about your family’s history. These could include civil records such as wills, property or land conveyances, deeds, or other such records.

If you need to request copies of certain certificates, write to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Be sure to include the names, dates, and places of birth and your relationship to each individual family member on whom you are collecting information. Of course, it’s important to remember that these records only go back so far; for ancestors born before the turn of the century, you will more than likely not be able to find records of birth and death.

After you have exhausted the resources available at the state and local level, you may also consider checking documents and historical records on the federal level. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. contain federal census information for every decade from 1790 to 1920 available on microfilm, which can be a very good resource if you’re trying to identify your ancestors. The National Archives also has a specific Native American collection, including records related to schools, allotments, and special censuses.


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Go to your local library

While we rely on them for books and a good source for free Wi-Fi, we often forget that libraries are also quite good resources for finding information about a local area. There is a lot to learn about Indian tribes’ histories, historical territories, migration patterns, and cultures. You will also be able to find books and other resources about genealogical tracing techniques, as well as standard techniques for general research. Talk to your librarian to find out how you can best take advantage of what the library has to offer.

Check other repositories

There are many historical societies and genealogical organizations on the state and local level that would be worth checking out. Other private institutions keep historical records as well. For example, the Family History Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has branch offices called Family History Centers, which offer a large collection of Indian genealogical documents.

Start your family tree and work your way back in time

 Keep in mind that it’s easier to get farther back in your family history if you know as much as possible about your living or recently deceased relatives. Fill in gaps as recent as you can before searching for historical information on long-deceased ancestors, as it will be much easier to identify them with more family history information on your side.

And, of course, there are plenty of online resources at your disposal. You can start building out your family tree. Ancestry.com also offers this guide on researching your Indian heritage.

Ready To Start?

Read more of our articles on tracing your family history.

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Resources

Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Paul G

About Paul G

Paul G is the founder PowWows.com, who wears many hats as a business coach, photographer, and collector of quirky shirts. Paul started PowWows.com in 1996 while pursuing his graduate degree. With a passion for travel, he and his family hav  traveled the world, capturing unforgettable memories and photos. When he's not coaching or clicking, he's indulging in the magic of Disney.


13 Comments on “How Find Your Native American Ancestry”

  • Avatar for Debra Benard

    Debra Benard

    says:

    I was told that my grandfather mother was a native American Rebecca Landry married Joseph Francis from bottom part of New Orleans Louisiana moved to Beaumont Texas, I did the 23&Me DNA testing It did show that I have Native Indian DNA trying to put things together I would a reply if possible.

  • Avatar for Theodore Delapaz

    My mother last name is. ( NAJERA FIRST NAME LUCY SHE WAS BORN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ( MY NAME IS THEODORE DELAPAZ IM A U.S. ARMY SERVICE CONNECTED 100/ PERCENT DISABLED VETERAN ” I WANT TO KNOW WHAT “- TRIBE THREW MY MOTHER THAT IM FROM AND HER M AM THAT I BELONG TO I HAVE KIDS AND I HAVE GRAND KIDS

  • Avatar for Denzil

    Denzil

    says:

    Every time i get close the government shut me down why is this i am cherokee. Why is the government keep stoping me

    • Avatar for Howard Hayes

      Howard Hayes

      says:

      My grandmother was Cherokee from Tennessee . Can find them on flag pond Tennessee web site. But not everybody dna will show indian. It skips a generation somewhere

  • Avatar for Federico tellez garcia

    Federico tellez garcia

    says:

    Never knew I was Native American until I did DNA test , was born and raised in Mexico. No in my family knows anything about be native. Found my grandparents marriage license and my grandfather was Indian and grandmother was part Indian. That is all I have been able to find. Need help in going on with search. Both of my parents have passed on. I now call North Carolina home.

    • Avatar for Frank Hayes

      Frank Hayes

      says:

      Your information here is wonderful! My mother and her family were born in northern Mexico. She and the rest are long gone.
      While they were alive they refused to talk about it. One aunt would say ‘we ain’t no stinking Indians’ . Yeah, well you look like one.
      I do have a travel document of my mother’s from the 1930s that states ‘half breed’ in her info.
      I have had a dna test but in the results there was no mention of North American Indian.
      Time to dig in once more! Thank you for the inspiration!

  • Avatar for Chrystal Grimes

    Chrystal Grimes

    says:

    I am still having the hardest time researching my ancestors. My mother was raised with her grandmother in North Carolina. She NEVER talked about her. I finally saw a pic of her at my grandmother’s house, she was in full Native garb. My grandmother then told me, that her mother (my great-grandmother) was Cherokee. I was about 23yrs old and my mom was deceased. My grandmother died shortly after. I found ONE relative on the Trail of Tears census but can’t find our name ANYWHERE else. This is so hard

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

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

  • Avatar for Susan Lannon

    My mother showed me a sketch of her father when I was fifteen. On a white piece of paper and the sketch of an Indian on it with a full head-piece! I said to my mother ( “Mom he is an Indian!) That was 46 years ago but I think about it often.

  • Avatar for debra fetzer

    debra fetzer

    says:

    I was told I have Cherokee in me my mom was full-blooded but I don’t know how I can provide I have some in me

    • Avatar for Eileen

      Eileen

      says:

      Birth certificates may show heritage. Check the Bureau if vital statistics in the state your mom was born for your moms birth certificate and then get the birth certificates for her parents, your grandparents. They also mag show heritage. Good luck.

  • Avatar for Martha Allen

    Martha Allen

    says:

    I have my DNA kit and I am ready to take it and send it off. I know my great great grandmother was given the white name American Ann Sheroan. I also know she was from the Cumberland Falls area of Kentucky.

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