Finding Your Cherokee Ancestor

More and more frequently, more and more people are discovering their Cherokee ancestry. The reasons are varied. Many times, elders have not passed this information along, and it is only as they are passing to the next world do they talk about their parents and grandparents--their roots.

In the early part of this century, there were many economical reasons for leaving your Native ancestry unclaimed. A "guardian" was assigned to full-bloods to help them in managing affairs. More often than not, the "guardian" benefited more than the Indian. Women were discouraged from registering by their Anglo husbands, especially if they were living outside the Indian Territory. Voting was a privilege denied Native Americans and women until 1924. The reasons can be as different as the phases of the moon, yet all had merit to that person at that time in history.

In 1976, Cherokee voters ratified a new Cherokee Constitution which changed the ways of measuring tribal membership. At that time, it was determined that anyone who could trace direct descent from the Dawes Rolls, a census taken between 1902-1907, could become a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation. There are now over 165,000 registered Cherokee citizens.

It doesn't matter if you are rediscovering your ancestry, or fulfilling a long-time wish of "getting registered". It does matter that you are doing it now. It is a pivotal time in our lifetime for Native Americans, and it is very important to make a "voice." The first step is tracing your lineage. I have compiled information here to help you get started. You will need access to a genealogy library. Some church libraries also have these records. I hope you find this information useful. Please pass it along to those others you may know who are also finding their path.

A. If yes, is their name on any roll in CHEROKEE ROOTS by Bob Blankenship?
1. If yes, contact the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, PO Box 455, Cherokee NC 28719

B. If no, are they on the Guion Miller general index (m-1104, roll)?
1. If yes, follow references from Miller records on M-685 to Drennen or Chapman Rolls (M-685, Roll 12.)

2. If no, are they on the "Intruder" lists? (7RA-53 and 7RA-55)

a. If yes, they were not recognized as Cherokee citizens.

b. If no, check the 1896 Old Settler Payment Roll (T-985)

1. If yes, check Old Settler Roll of 1851 (M-685, roll 12)
a. Check History of the Cherokee Indians, by Emmet Starr

2. If no, your ancestor may be Cherokee but it is unlikely they are on any roll.

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