Top 5 Tips on Using Ancestry.com to Find Native American Info

Top 5 Tips on Using Ancestry.com to Find Native American Info

A lot of people have found success using Ancestry.com to find out about their heritage. The website provides the largest arsenal of genealogical data online. By entering in some basic personal information, you can start opening doors to pieces of your family history that you may not have even known existed.

But what about those of us with Native American ancestry? Since there have been several points throughout history where records have been lost or not existed in the first place, it can be tough to track our American Indian heritage. With the right guidance and some digging, Ancestry.com can still be a useful tool in uncovering your Native American genealogy.

1. Start with what you know

Any search for information on Ancestry.com starts with the basic information you already have access to. So, begin my mapping out your family tree as far back as you can. Speak with family members to fill in any holes you may have.

Keep as detailed a record as you can of any family names, birthdates, tribal affiliations, and any other information that might prove relevant. The more information you start with, the more successful you’ll be at tracing your lineage.

2. Search the Census Rolls

Ancestry.com offers detailed records of the Indian Census Rolls to help you identify the tribal affiliation of an ancestor. If you have information on multiple ancestors, you can find more facts and connect the dots between distant family members. And the census rolls are one area where having more information benefits you. Sometimes, family members will be listed with two names, one in English and one in their native tongue. The more information you have to search for — such as multiple possible names — the better.

The census rolls provide information for the years 1885-1940. You can find information on an ancestor’s name(s), gender, birthdate and age, relationship to the head of the family, tribal name, marital status, and agency and reservation name. In later years, there may also be information provided for their degree of Indian blood. Please note that you may not find information on an ancestor in these census rolls unless they had a formal affiliation with the tribe.

3.  Search the Native American records

While the census rolls offer some of the widest ranges of information on American Indian ancestry, there are many other Native American resources available on Ancestry.com. Once you have information about your ancestor’s name and other biographical data, you can narrow a search that covers multiple sources of records. These include censuses, photos, wills and marriage records from various different tribes and regions.

4. Keep an open mind

You may have been told that your ancestor belonged to one specific tribe, but when performing your search, remember that your information may not be correct. With over 566 Indian tribes with federal recognition, it is highly possible that your initial tribal information is incorrect. Your ancestors may have mixed with other tribes, or perhaps even been adopted by a different one than they were born into.


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Tribes were also broken down into smaller sub-groups. These were called bands, which typically followed one leader. They were broken down even further into clans, or family groups.

If you need more information about how to know where to search for records, Ancestry.com has also provided the free e-book The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy. Reading through it will give you a good overview of Native American tribal history and research methods, as well as a variety of resources to help extend your family history research.

5. Search the Dawes Commission Indexes

Finally, Ancestry.com provides access to three Dawes Commission Indexes:

The Dawes Commission was established by Congress in 1893, and it was responsible for negotiating agreements with what became known as the five civilized tribes: the Chickasaw, Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Seminole. The Commission also began preparing tribal membership rolls and taking applications for tribal citizenship in 1898.

Last Updated on June 7, 2023 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.


9 Comments on “Top 5 Tips on Using Ancestry.com to Find Native American Info”

  • Avatar for Cipriano Soto Fierros

    Cipriano Soto Fierros

    says:

    Hello, my name is Cipriano Soto Fierros, I’ve lived in Michigan since I was 3, I’m 65 now, my nephew brought me an AncestryDNA kit which we both did, results was 53 % indigenous for me and 41% for him , got census, paper trail from San Antonio area all the way to Pierdras Negras,, is there some how or someone that could help or be of hire in finding out what type of Indian I could be, that would be awesome, hope to hear from you,

  • Avatar for Jasmine

    Jasmine

    says:

    My results from 23 and me said I am 64 percent native american!! I would love to know more about my roots, and which tribe I’m from. But do not know where to start

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

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

  • Avatar for Gracie

    Gracie

    says:

    I have just discovered that I’m 51% native american.of ancestry.com. I am now not he search to find out what tribes. My people were in the Mexico area like Nuevo Leon I’m not looking for school benefit or any other for that matter just want to be able to represent my people. But I believe just being more than half native american I’m already do that.

    • Avatar for Maria Calderon

      Maria Calderon

      says:

      Hi, my name is Maria Calderon and I did my DNA test and I’m 56% Native American Indian,I was born in Durango,Mexico, and like you I looking for my tribe, probably we can help each other, I have Ancestry public tree

  • Avatar for Jaime Thompson

    Jaime Thompson

    says:

    Im trying to find my native american tribe,i believe they are blackfoot.

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

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

  • Avatar for llyd dempster

    i want to be able to claim the small percentage of native american that i have

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