Many people have family stories that say that they have a Native American ancestor. Sometimes there was a mysterious ancestor that the family thought might be Native American due to certain physical features such as high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes. However, in many cases, the family stories are simply stories. How can you know whether your family story is correct? Consider doing the 6 following things to determine if your ancestor was Native American.
Examine the Locations
When determining if your ancestor is Native American, it's crucial to consider the geographical and historical context of the tribe. Check where the tribe was in relation to your ancestors' residence as well as the tribe's history, including forced migrations, wars, and treaties. For example, if your ancestors were said to be Cherokee, they will likely show up in the 1900 census in Oklahoma, since that's where the majority of the tribe was living at that time. If your ancestors were living outside of Oklahoma in the 1880s, it's not likely that they were Cherokee, because most of the local tribes had been forced to go to Oklahoma in the 1830s.
Look for Federal Census Records
Another thing you can do is check the federal census records. First you can check to see what race your ancestor was listed as on the census records. Usually they will be listed as Indian on the census. However, sometimes Native Americans reported themselves as white or mulatto to census takers, instead of revealing their Native American status. Also, if your ancestor was listed on the census prior to 1860, it is likely that they aren't Native Americans since Native Americans were not listed on federal records prior to this time.
Search in the Native American Census Records
You can also check the Native American census records. If your ancestor was a member of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole) they will most likely be listed on the Dawes census rolls. In most cases, to join a particular tribe, it's required to prove your ancestry to an ancestor on the Dawes rolls. Ancestry.com has the Oklahoma and Indian Territory, U.S., Dawes Census Cards for Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914 records. If your ancestor was a slave to Native Americans, they may be listed in the U.S., Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Dawes Census Freedmen Rolls, 1898-1914. Your ancestor could also show up on the Native American Census rolls on Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.
Do DNA Testing
Another step to determine if your ancestor was Native American is to take a DNA test and see what the ethnicity states. Consider starting with Family Tree DNA because of its more accurate results. However, if you have a large amount of Native American ancestry, it will likely show up on any autosomal DNA test. If your DNA test shows Native American ancestry, then there's a good chance that your family story is true. However, keep in mind DNA testing is not perfect and may not show distant ethnicities.
Look for Military Records
Another valuable resource for knowing if your ancestor is Native American are military records. These records, often held by the National Archives and Records Administration, can provide important information about individuals who served, including their names, tribal affiliations, and post-war experiences. Pension files are especially useful, as they provide detailed information about the veteran and their family, making it easier to determine if they're Native Americans.
Examine Local Records
Lastly, look for your ancestor in local records in the early 1800s such as land deeds or probate records. As Native Americans weren't typically landowners, they are not usually listed in these records. If you find them in these types of records and they are not listed as "Indian", then your ancestor was likely not Native American.
If some of the records listed above show that your ancestor was Native American, there's a good chance that your family story is true.
Need help finding more records? We have genealogy research services available. You can also try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1.3 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.