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ECSIUT
Cherokees
of S.C.
Cherokee
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Historic preservation conference 2001
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GENEALOGY:
This is a very complex subject because the Cherokee Nation once
encompassed parts of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, western West
Virginia, southwestern
Virginia, western North Carolina, northern Alabama, northwestern South
Carolina and northern Georgia.
The issue is further complicated by the infamous removal of the Cherokee
to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s. During the 1800s
and 1900s, there was much miscegenation between Cherokee and non-Indian
settlers. The genealogy research process is made even more difficult
since some Cherokee desired
to retain their Native American lineage while others did not.
While some genealogy records exist for the tribal members, it is nearly
impossible to trace genealogy based on a single name which does not
appear as part of tribal records.
The United States government conducted several censuses of the Cherokee
(pre and post-removal). These rolls are printed in two publications
called Cherokee Roots Vol. 1 (Eastern Cherokee) and Vol. 2 (Western
Cherokee). They can be purchased from:
Cherokee Roots
P.O. Box 525
Cherokee, NC 28719
Online at
http://www.cherokeeroots.com/store.html
Genealogical and historic research assistance is also offered by James
P. Myers, Jr. He will conduct roll searches and in-depth research if
desired.
James P. Myers, Jr.
P.O. Box 682
Cherokee, NC 28719
Phone: 828-497-5662
Remember that each Group, Tribe, and Nation has their own criteria for
membership. Some require a certain Blood Quantum, to be an enrolled
member. This means you may possibly be a direct descendant but will not
be able to become enrolled because of the Blood Quantum requirements.
.
Researching the records of the United States Census are always good
starting points for genealogists. Consideration of your ancestor’s birth
place (County, town, area)and specific time references (birth dates,
marriages, etc.) are essential.
Many times in census records people were classified as Indian, Mulatto,
or Free Person of Color.
Here are some tips for researching your Cherokee family ties or other
Native American Indian family ties.
1. Start with yourself, the known, and work toward the unknown. You
should find all the information you can about your parents,
grandparents, and more distant ancestors and write the information down.
Most important informational clues are vital statistics--ancestral
names, dates of birth, marriages/divorces, deaths, and the places where
ancestors were born, lived, married, and died. Valuable information can
be found in family Bibles, newspaper clippings, military certificates,
birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, diaries, letters,
scrapbooks, backs of pictures and baby books. During such research, the
goal, especially for tribal membership purposes, is to establish and
document the relationships of Native American ancestors and to identify
the Native American tribe with which your ancestor may have been
affiliated.
2. Enlist Your Relatives. Relatives, particularly older ones, are
another good source of information.
You should write a letter, make a personal visit, or conduct a telephone
survey to find facts. You might also find that someone else in your
family is working on a family history. Teaming up with an interested
family member is a great way to spread the work and make the research
process more enjoyable. You can launch your research in libraries and
archives. You might also find it helpful to advertise in the local
genealogical bulletins (city, county, or state) where your ancestors
lived.
3. Public Records
Some states began to keep records of births and deaths earlier, but for
most of the United States, birth and death registration because a
requirement around the turn of the century, about 1890- 1915. Before
that time these events can sometimes be found in church records and
family bibles. Marriages can be found recorded in most counties. Many
times dating back as early as the establishment of the county. Records
of property acquisition and disposition can be good sources of
genealogical data. Such records are normally kept in county courthouses.
Often the earliest county records or copies are also available in state
archives.
Historical and genealogical information can be found in other civil
records at the county courthouse such as deeds, wills, land or other
property conveyances. In addition to county courthouses, school and
church records can be researched for information.
Write to your states’ Bureau of Vital Statistics to request copies of
birth, death, marriage, and divorce decrees. Include the name of the
individual, date and place of birth, and your relationship to that
person. Remember that many state governments did not keep birth and
death records until around the turn of the century (1890-1915).
Therefore searches in state records for ancestors who were born or died
before that time may be limited.
The National Archives in Washington, D.C. has records of genealogical
value. The Federal government has implemented the census every ten years
since 1790 and is a very good source of information for individuals who
are trying to identify their ancestors. Census records from 1790-1920
are available on microfilm in the
National Archives' regional branches. Seventeen branch offices are in
major metropolitan areas throughout the country. A brochure describing
the branch office is available from the Archives at:
The National Archives Records and Administration Publication and
Distribution Staff (NECD)
Room G-3
8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001
Web site:
http://www.archives.gov/
The National Archives also has military and service related records,
passenger arrival records, and other records of value to persons
involved in genealogical research. The National Archives has various
publications for sale. The Archives have been microfilmed all censuses.
Individuals can purchase copies of the microfilm rolls and associated
genealogical materials. Various rolls of microfilm are available for
rental at the National Archives.
4. Other Organizations
The local library is a good starting point for gathering facts about
Native Americans and Native American tribes including history, culture,
historic tribal territories, and migration patterns. Learn as much as
you can about the tribe from which you believe yourself to be descended.
A few churches have very good records of important events in the lives
of members such as baptismal and marriage certificates and memorial
books. Investigate the possibility of finding genealogical data in the
records of the church to which your ancestor belonged. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints Genealogy Library maintains an active family history program
which includes information about members and non-members.
Depending on geography, you might find useful information at your local
historical society or chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR),with a historical or lineage orientation.
6. Books and Videos
A Student's Guide to Native American Genealogy (Oryx American
Family Tree Series) by E. Barrie Kavasch.
How to Trace Your Family Tree : A Complete and Easy to Understand
Guide for the Beginner. by the American Genealogical Research
Institute
How to Trace Your Native American Heritage (1998)(VHS)
http://www.richheape.com/native-american-videos/How_to_Trace_Your_Native_American_Heritage.htm
Cherokee Proud 2nd Edition by Tony MacK McClure
6. On-Line Research Tools are unlimited. You can learn about genealogy
research at Ancestry.com. The site now contains more than 500 MILLION
names and over 2000 databases for researching your family tree.
Use the search tool to find your ancestors, and then build your family
tree online using the multi-user collaboration tool. Since 1983
Ancestry.com (formerly Ancestry, Inc.) has helped millions of people all
around the world find and use the best sources of genealogical
information. In 1996, Ancestry.com helped revolutionize the field of
genealogy by launching massive online databases such as the 50-million
name Social
Security Death Index.
7. Hiring a Professional Researcher
If you wish to hire a researcher, the following organizations will
provide you with listings of genealogical researchers for hire:
Board of Certification of Genealogists
P.O. Box 14291
Washington, D.C. 20044
Association of Professional Genealogists
P.O. Box 40393
Denver, Colorado 80204-0393
9. Contact the Various Indian Tribes in South Carolina
If your next step is to determine your eligibility for tribal
enrollment, then you will need to get in touch with the Enrollment
Office for the particular tribe. Contact information for the Enrollment
Office can usually be found at each of the tribal organizations’
offices.
If you would like a Membership application for ECSIUT or the Cherokee
Indian Tribe
of South Carolina, Inc. write to:
ECSIUT
P.O. Box 7062,
Columbia, South Carolina
29202
Other Cherokee Tribal Groups:
Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee
Lucian Lamar Sneed, Pd.D. Executive Director
State Recognized Ga Code OCGA 44-12-300
a/k/a Georgia Cherokee Indians
State Recognized Ga Code OCGA 44-12-300
P.O. Box 1915
Cumming, Georgia 30028
GTECI@aol.com
ECHOTA CHEROKEE TRIBE OF ALABAMA
PERRY WHITE, CHIEF
59 HWY 487
VANDIVER AL 35176
(205) 672-0361
CHEROKEE TRIBE OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA
CHARLENE TUCKALEECHE STORY, CHIEF
53 BUCKWORTH CIRCLE
TRAFFORD AL 35172
(205) 681-0080
E-MAIL:
CTNEALOFFICE1@juno.com
WEB SITE:
http://www.tsalagi.org/
CHEROKEES OF SOUTHEAST ALABAMA
RAYMOND (DICK) HULL, CHIEF
2212 50TH ST
VALLEY AL 36854
(334) 756-2889
UNITED CHEROKEE INTERTRIBAL
GINA WILLIAMSON, CHIEF
P.O. BOX 754
GUNTERVILLE, AL 35976
(256) 878-6021
Chikamaka-Cherokees
Principal Chief,Tim Meeks; Gvnidigardi
PO Box 201
Tracy City, TN 37387
http://www.chikamaka.org/
Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas & Missouri
776 HWY 351
Paragould, AR 72450
Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas & Missouri
200 North Rockingchair Road
Paragould, Arkansas 72450
Ph: (870) 239-5174, Fax: (870) 239-9974
Cherokee Nation
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
Click here:
Official Site of the Cherokee Nation - Federally
Recognized
Charles Jahtlohi Rogers M.D.
Traditional Chief and Ugu
Cherokee Nation of Mexico
http://www.cherokeenationmexico.com/
Naming patterns:
When federal enumerators began counting American Indian populations,
traditional names were replaced by made-up surnames (usually adapted
from nicknames, e.g. Pete, Nash, and Henry). Many families still carry
these surnames today, though it’s possible to trace original Indian
identities through the transitional censuses of the nineteenth century.
Non-reservation records:
Many family historians have related their frustration at the lack of
records available for families living outside of reservation lands. For
those who remain undaunted, one historian has recommended the 1900 U.S.
Census. This record included a separate form for American Indians living
in non-reservation households. Consequently, he was able to find
detailed information about his ancestor including her tribal
affiliation, blood
degree and American citizenship.
Tribal elders: Thanks to the rich oral tradition inherent in American
Indian culture, many tribal elders can recite their family histories
going back several generations. If you’d like to arrange an interview,
you may do so through a local tribal office. Just be aware that, out of
respect, you should refrain from bringing tape recorders and video
cameras.
More Family History Basics:
American Indian Ancestry A source of tremendous personal pride, American
Indian ancestry is touted (sometimes falsely) by nearly every citizen of
this nation. Fortunately, American Indians are among the best-documented
cultural groups in the United States. Therefore, it is possible to prove
direct ties to one of more than 500 tribal nations. Just be aware that
American Indian genealogy can involve a lot of work. Below are
recommendations from Ancestry.com for those interested in tracing their
American Indian lineage.
Government Records:
Bureau of Indian Affairs: Established in 1824, the Bureau of Indian
Affairs
(BIA) was the onetime repository for a variety of historical records.
However, many of these records now belong to the National Archives.
Still, you can
contact regional BIA offices and request what information they may still
have on file. Be prepared to provide as much information as you can
about your
ancestors’ tribal affiliations.
For contact information, visit the BIA website:
http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html
U.S. Federal Census: Not to be confused with Indian reservation census
lists, the U.S. Federal Census began incorporating American Indian
communities in
1860. Transitional censuses (most dating from 1880 to 1890) are among
the most valuable censuses available. They included Indian names
alongside corresponding American names as well as information ranging
from
native languages to American Indian blood degree.
Click to access ancestry.com’s census collection:
http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com/search/rectype/census/main.htm
Dawes Commission Index: The Dawes Act of 1893 reapportioned land
belonging
to the Five Civilized Tribes Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and
Seminole. Members of each tribe could apply for a portion of this land
after submitting proof of tribal enrollment. The Dawes Commission listed
the names of those who enrolled between 1896 and 1914.
Click to access the Dawes Commission Index on Ancestry.com:
http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com/search/rectype/inddbs/3118a.htm
The Hudson's Bay Company: Founded by British-Scotch fur traders in
Canada around 1670. Hudson's Bay company preserved records for local
Indian marriages and baptisms along with journals obtained from
traveling fur traders (who spent a great deal of time with
American and Canadian tribes). More detailed than average government
records, these documents are now housed at the Hudson’s Bay Archives in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
For more information about the Hudson's Bay Company Archives visit their
website:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/hbca/
The National Archives: With its main office located in Washington D.C.,
the National Archives is easily the nation’s largest repository for
American Indian genealogical records. The records encompass a variety of
topics ranging from Indian trade, reservation censuses, treaties, land
claims and education.
Click below to visit The National Archives website:
http://www.archives.gov/
Contact
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South
Carolina Indians Today
NATIONAL Native American Indian Organizational
LINKS:
National Congress of American Indians
American
Indian Movement
Office of American Indian Trust
Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs
First Nations Development
Institute
National Center for American Indian
Enterprise Development
Department of Labor, Native American and
Indian Programs (Welfare to Work, TANF)
Department
of Defense and Native American Programs
National Indian Policy Center (George
Washington University)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program
Council of Energy
Resource Tribes
Native
American Rights Fund
National Indian Telecommunications
Institute
Native American Cultural and
Educational Authority
INTERNATIONAL
LINKS:
International Indian Treaty
Council
Center for World
Indigenous Studies
International Work Group
for Indigenous Affairs
UN Documents on Indigenous
Peoples
Inuit
Circumpolar Conference
Economic
Development and Cultural Change
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