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Many people with Native American ancestry turn to DNA testing. Y-DNA and mtDNA tests can connect to Native ancestors but cannot confirm tribal affiliation. This web page offers lessons about doing genealogy research and describes resources, including federal-level records. It also provides information on genealogical societies and lists books about the research process.
Start With What You Know
The starting point in any genealogical search is the information you already have. If you know that one of your ancestors was Native American, start with the details and documents you have for him. It will help you develop a context for the rest of your research and find a direction to go. For example, suppose you have a family member enrolled in a specific tribe or Indian nation, and you have access to his military records. In that case, those are the best records to examine first. Many American Indians served their country in the armed forces, both for and against it, so these records are particularly important. Likewise, if your DNA test results indicate that you have DNA markers associated with Native American ancestry, those are the most likely genes to investigate next. Both mtDNA and Y-DNA test results can be traced back thousands of years, giving you definitive haplogroup information about the people who preceded your ancestors.
Look for Tribal Affiliations
As you interview relatives, listen to family stories and read standard sources on the history of your ancestors’ locations, gather as much information about tribal affiliations as possible. It will be helpful if you decide to seek tribal recognition or membership. The National Archives has a broad collection of Indian records, including special censuses and allotment rolls that can provide clues about an ancestor’s tribal connection. In addition to identifying tribes, these records can reveal much information about an individual’s life. For example, they can indicate if your ancestor participated in church services, attended government schools, or participated in other aspects of broader community life.
Aside from the censuses, you can search for your ancestor’s name on Indian rolls or judgment distribution records developed as part of a lawsuit. Many family stories have an Indian ancestor or two, but the details are often scanty. Fortunately, several online resources can help you trace your Native American roots. Just remember, it’s best to focus on the Native American genealogy records that are available and not to pursue genetic testing as a means of determining tribal affiliation. Most tribal communities do not accept DNA as proof of an ancestral connection, so it’s important to focus on other forms of evidence.
Gather Documents
If you want to be enrolled as a member of a federally-recognized tribe, you must have documentation that traces your lineage back to someone who was a member. Even if you don’t want to be a member, you may be able to trace your Native American roots through genealogy research and family history documents. Start with current and historical documents from your immediate family. You might also want to consult local records of schools, churches, libraries and historical societies. Public institutions keep these records, and some have a good chance of containing information on the Native Americans who live in the area.
Some of the most important documents to be consulted include tribal rolls, special censuses and school records. For instance, you can come across your forebear’s name on a judgment distribution roll while resolving a tribal dispute with the US government. You can access these records at the National Archives website for genealogy. DNA testing is useful for discovering more about your Native American roots. Y-DNA and mtDNA test results can help you identify the Native American lines in your family tree. However, you must combine the Y-DNA and mtDNA results with genealogical research to fully understand your ancestry.
Develop a Context
The history of Native American ancestry in the United States is complicated. Many Native people intermarried and mingled with European settlers, and some of that is reflected in the DNA results of white Americans who claim to have Native American ancestry. Some of these ancestors might not have had any Native ancestry at all. Others might have had a small amount of Native ancestry but were denied access to tribal citizenship because of racial policies when they were born. Still, others might have lied about their origins to gain advantages in life, and, in some cases, this happened in Elizabeth Warren.
It’s important to teach students about the complexity of Indigenous cultures. Avoid using phrases like “all Native Americans,” which negate the fact that there are many different Indigenous cultures. Also, when teaching about Indigenous communities, use the present tense, not the past. It helps students understand that these are still living communities and doesn’t promote the myth that Native culture is dead. For centuries, European understandings of ancestry, lineage and descent relied on the notion that blood is a proxy for identity. These concepts usurped indigenous beliefs about identity and belonging based on community and kinship. For this reason, it is essential to teach students about the context of Native ancestry, which will help them better understand records.
