United States Native Races Part 2 - Has Someone Already Researched My Family?

How to find the previous research of others in searching out your American Indian ancestor. This article is a part of a series entitled Indians of North America - A Beginner's Guide.

Over the years many genealogies have been compiled by various individuals and organizations.Although this material may include errors, it can also save hours of duplicating the same research.

When you decide which family you want to concentrate your efforts on, it is best to try to find any previous research which may have been done on that family and to coordinate with other researchers working on the same family. Begin by making inquiries among family members to determine if they know of anyone in the family that may have been interested in family history or gathered family data in the past. Next, search databases, put queries in magazines or on the Internet, and look for published books or articles.

Genealogical Databases
Computerized Databases. A database is a large body of compiled information organized so that selected parts of the information are listed in a logical order. You can search genealogical databases by an ancestor’s name, and sometimes also by a date or a place. Some are available in a computerized form, while others are paper or microfiche files.

FamilySearch™. FamilySearch is a collection of computer files containing millions of names. FamilySearch is a good place to begin your family history research. Some of the records come from compiled sources, and some have been extracted from original sources. The FamilySearch Library and many FamilySearch centers have computers with FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Library and family history center computers with FamilySearch now have access to the Internet, computer online services, networks, and bulletin boards. Those services are also available at many public libraries, college libraries, and private locations.

FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service. The Internet site at www.familysearch.org allows you to preserve your genealogy, locate FamilySearch Library publications, learn research strategies, and look for information about your ancestors in the following resources:


 * Ancestral File. A file of over 35 million names organized into families and pedigrees.
 * International Genealogical Index. An index of over 600 million names extracted out of vital records primarily from the British Isles, North America, and northern Europe. Use both the “A. North America” and “T. World Misc.” regions to find Native Americans.
 * FamilySearch Catalog. A description and classification of over 2 million microfilm reels and hundreds of thousands of genealogical books. You can search the catalog by family name, locality, author, book, or film number.
 * Source Guide. A resource that contains a collection of over 150 “how-to” research outlines for states, nations, or genealogy topics, an extensive glossary of word meanings, and a catalog helper. NOTE: All of the information from the original research outlines has been imported into this Wiki site and is being updated as time permits.
 * Websites. A categorized list of thousands of links to Internet sites related to family history.
 * Collaboration Lists. Links you to user-created mailing lists of researchers interested in similar genealogical topics.

Other Databases on the Internet. You can also use the Internet to find many other genealogical databases.

Off the Internet.Some computerized databases for genealogists are available off the Internet, such as:


 * Pedigree Resource File. 40 compact discs. Family History Resource File. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1999. (FS Library compact disc number 162; title number 831357.) This is a set of lineage-linked pedigrees that have been submitted to the Family and Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These pedigrees contain unedited notes and sources to about 6 million names. Charts and reports can be printed from this data. It includes a master index.
 * Vital Records Index North America. Seven compact discs. Family History Resource File. Salt Lake City, Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1998. (FS Library compact disc number 91.) These discs contain information taken from a partial collection of birth, christening, and marriage records of the United States and Canada from 1631 to 1888. They include about 4 million names.
 * Everton’s Computerized “Roots” Cellar, 16401990. FamilyTree Maker’s Family Archives, 18. [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1998. (FS Library compact disc number 9 part 18.) Consists of over 200,000 family history queries submitted to Everton’s Genealogical Helper magazine. Each query lists an ancestor’s name, date, and place, and the query submitters name and address.

PAPER DATABASES
Family Group Records Collection. The Family Group Records Collection has about eight million family group records that were created by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.It is divided into two sections: the Patrons Section and the Archive Section.

The original family group records in the Archive Section (1942-1969) and the Patrons Section (19621977) are on the fourth floor of the FamilySearch Center. The Patron Section (1926-1962 and 19781979) are only available on microfilm.

Archive Section. This section of the Family Group Records Collection contains five million family group records submitted by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1942 and 1969 for temple work. The microfilms are listed under:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Genealogical Society. Family Group Records Collection, Archives Section 1942-1969. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977, 1993. (On 1998 FS Library films beginning with 1273501.) In 1993 the microfilms of the Archives Section were checked against the original family group records and 18,000 sheets were found that had not been microfilmed. These records were photocopied, and filmed as an addendum (FS Library films 175075864.)

Patron Section. This part of the collection contains 3 million family group record forms that were submitted to the Church to share genealogical information and identify others working on the same lines. Temple work was not requested. Each section has some names found in no other filming:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Genealogical Society. Family Group Records Collection; Patron Section, 1962-1977. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988-1990. (FS Library films 1558711-961) Surnames A to KERSEY only. The filming was stopped when it was discovered that 80 percent of the sheets were already in the Ancestral File.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Genealogical Society. Family Group Records Collection; Patron Section, 1962-1979. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966-1980.(On 1165 FS Library films starting with 428056) 80 percent of these sheets are in the Ancestral File. No single filming of all years of the Patron Section exists. The set from 1978 to 1979 comprising films 1281028-89 are not available in the binders at the Family Search Center.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Genealogical Society. Family Group Records Collection; Patron Section, 1924-1962. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1965-1966.(On 614 FS Library films starting with 412088.)

Other Family Group Records. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spanish-American Mission. Family Group Records: Collected and Compiled by the Former Spanish-American Mission. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973, 1980. (On eight FS Library films beginning with film 940001). Most of these records were submitted by members of the Spanish-Mexican Mission, which included Mexico and the Spanish-speaking Saints in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Research Coordination List. For a list of ancestors and the submitters researching them see:

Johnson, Keith A., and Malcolm R. Sainty. Genealogical Research Directory. Sidney, New South Wales, Australia: Authors, Annual. (FS Library book 929.1025 G286grd.) The 1999 edition includes over 100,000 ancestors with their dates and places, and about 40,000 submitters’ addresses.

INTERNET
The Internet can be a valuable tool to help family history researchers do the following:


 * Search large databases for genealogical data, compiled genealogies, and reference information such as telephone numbers and addresses.
 * Search computer archives and libraries for query replies, compiled genealogies, and research suggestions.
 * Search library catalogs on the Internet for family history books, local histories, and local manuscript records which you could order through inter-library loan.
 * Join mailing lists and news groups on the Internet regarding your ancestor’s family, ethnic group, locality, or a historical event in which your ancestor participated.
 * Locate other researchers interested in the same ancestors. Look for relatives who put up genealogical websites. Find out who contributed information about your relatives to databases and computer libraries. Also, investigate the membership directories of genealogical groups to see who is researching your ancestors.
 * Send and receive e-mail to ask a specific individual or organization for information.
 * Post queries on genealogical message boards for information about a particular ancestor or how to do research in an area. Other researchers may reply with the help you need.
 * Join in computer chat and lecture sessions for ideas, inspiration, and tips to help your research.
 * Share your genealogy by contributing to Internet databases and genealogy interest group libraries.
 * Put up a web site with your genealogy on it, and register it with FamilySearch, search engines, and related Internet gateway sites.
 * Publish on the Internet your genealogy or genealogical articles.
 * Order family history publications, supplies, or services over the Internet.

An increasing number of public libraries provide network services for their visitors to use.

Some Internet sites require a fee before allowing access to their services. The list of computer sources is growing rapidly. Most of the information is available at little or no cost. Addresses for various sites are subject to frequent changes.

Information obtained by computer are generally transcriptions or secondary sources; therefore, they often contain inaccuracies and should be verified in original records where possible.

Finding Resources on the Internet

It takes time and practice to learn how to navigate through the Internet. Local genealogical societies often have computer interest groups or members who are familiar with computer genealogical research.

To find information on the Internet, there are three good ways of getting started: using search engines and using genealogical gateways. You may wish to add some of these search engines and gateways for genealogical sources to your “favorites” or “bookmarks” so you can find them again quickly.

Search Engines

Search engines are sites that search the Internet for a site containing certain keywords. Different search engines search in different ways, so you may want to try more than one. Following are the Internet addresses for some of the most common search engines:


 * Google www.google.com/ Yahoo www.yahoo.com/ AltaVista www.altavista.com/ InfoSeek www.infoseek.com/ HotBot www.HotBot.com/ Lycos www.lycos.com/

Many sites include links to other related Internet sites. Once you have found one site that is interesting, other sites that are linked to it may also be useful.

The following are some of the major sites that are helpful for Native American family research:

General Sites

FamilySearch Internet[Salt Lake City, Utah]: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Available at www.familysearch.org. At this site you can access the FamilySearch Catalog,

Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index, Source Guide, lists of FamilySearch centers, and lists of researchers interested in similar genealogical topics. You can also learn about and locate FamilySearch Library publications. For a list of Native American family history websites, select Custom Search, then Websites, the category Native Races, click on the List of Links box, and Search.

Howells, Cyndi. “Native American.” In Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet [Internet site]. Puyallup, Washington: Cyndi Howells, 29 December 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.cyndislist.com/native.htm. This list has more links to other Native American genealogical sites and describes more resources than any other site on the Internet.

“Native American.” InFamilyTreeMaker.com [Internet site]. Not published: Genealogy.com, LLC, 27 December 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.familytreemaker.com/00000380.html. This site lists addresses and telephone numbers to contact, and reference books. It also includes a genealogical Internet site finder with dozens of Native American links.

Stark, Gene. “Gendex — WWW Genealogical Index.” In Gendex [database online]. Not published: G. Stark, 14 December 1999 [cited 30 December 1999]. Available at www.gendex.com/gendex/. Surname index of every personal genealogical site on the individuals.

“Native American Heritage Genealogy Site.” In Native American Heritage [Internet site]. Austin, Texas: LearnFree.com, 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.nativeamericanheritage.com/genealogyg.html. This is a well-done step-by-step explanation of how to find Native American ancestors. It includes a list of selected Internet site links.

“Native American History and Genealogy.” In New Mexico Genealogical Society [Internet site]. Albuquerque, New Mexico: NMGS, 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.nmgs.org/linkna.htm. This is a list of links to the Internet sites of different Indian tribes.

“Native American Indian Genealogy Webring Homepage.” N.p., 1997? [cited 30 December 1999]. Available at http://members.tripod.com/~kjunkutie/natvrng.htm. A place for registering and finding home pages with information about Native American genealogy.

Wilson, Vicki. “Native American Research in Michigan.” [Internet site]. Not published: Vicki Wilson, 10 November 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at http://members.aol.com/_ht_b/roundsky/introduction.html. This site has 10 lessons for doing genealogical research for Indians in Michigan. The principles and record types apply to most tribes.

“Genealogy of the First Americans.” In RootsWeb.com [Internet site]. Not published, 12 July 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.rootsweb.com/~nativeam/. Arranged by tribe, nation, reservation, agency, and school. This is a free list of literature, maps, bulletin boards, archive and library mailing addresses, Internet sites, and a large, regularly updated research coordination list called RootsWeb Surname List.

“USGenWeb Native American Sites.” In The USGenWeb Project [Internet site]. Not published, 1999? [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.rootsweb.com/~nativeam/usgenweb.htm. This is a cooperative effort by many volunteers to list genealogical databases, libraries, bulletin boards, and other resources available on the Internet for each county and state.

Strom, Karen M. “WWW Virtual Library - American Indians.” [Internet site]. Not published: K. M. Strom, 14 November 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.hanksville.org/NAresources/.This is an index to Native American resources on the Internet.

United States Government Sites

“Bureau of Indian Affairs On-Line.” In U.S. Department of the Interior [Internet site]. [Washington, DC]: BIA, 23 November 1999 [cited 29 December 1999]. Available at www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html. This describes the policies, programs, and organization of the BIA. It includes information about searching for Indian genealogical information, maps of Indian lands, and officially recognized tribes.

“Search Hints for Genealogical Data in NAIL.” In National Archives and Records Administration [Internet site]. [Washington, DC]: NARA, 6 December 1999 [cited 29 December 1999].Available at www.nara.gov/nara/nail/nailgen.html.Describes Native American records in the National Archives. Also includes the National Archives Information Locator (NAIL) index to many of these records.

Canadian Government Sites

“Indian and Norther Affairs Canada.” [Internet site].Ottawa, Ontario: Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, 1999? [cited 30 December 1999]. Available at www.inac.gc.ca/. Text in English or French. This site gives information about tribes, laws, treaties, court records from Canada’s Department on Indian and Northern Affairs, and has links to other Internet sites regarding Canada’s aboriginal people.

Manuals explaining key genealogical network tools, search engines, news groups, and surname sites are available at bookstores and on the Internet.

GENEALOGY
Genealogy describes a variety of records containing family information that has previously been gathered by societies, archives, tribes or other family members.

These records can contain pedigree charts, correspondence, ancestor lists, abstracts of records, and collections of copied documents. These items can be a good source of information but need to be carefully evaluated for accuracy. United States Compiled Genealogies describes printed compilations and manuscript collections that contain information about some Native American ancestors.

UNITED STATES
Family Histories. Many people have produced histories about their families that may include genealogical data, biographies, photographs, and other information. These usually include several generations of the family. The FamilySearch Library has an extensive collection of over 70,000 published United States and Canada family histories and newsletters. Copies at the library are listed in the Surname Search of the FamilySearch Catalog. Not every name found in a family history will be listed in the catalog, so be sure to check the index if a book has one.

Major collections of printed family histories are also found at most of the archives and libraries. Many large libraries have the indexes and catalogs to published family histories described in United States Compiled Genealogies and Canada Genealogy.

For an example of the kind of family history these catalogs might cite, see: Brown, Stuart E. Pocahontas’ Descendants. Berryville, Virginia: Pocahontas Foundation, 1985. (FS Library book 929.273 P75b 1985.) This family history is indexed and includes information on the Bolling, Cabell, Coolidge, Harrison, Page, Ruffin and related families.

Private Collections. Some families, libraries, and societies have private collections that have been compiled by individuals, organizations, libraries and other groups. These collections are also a valuable source of genealogy when researching your ancestor. Some of the private collections are not circulated (loaned) to other institutions:

Duke University. Library. Duke Indian Oral History Collection and Index. Cambridge, Massachusetts: General Microfilm, 1981. (On eight microfilms beginning with FS Library film 1486555; fiche 6077908-62 [set of 310]; A collection of oral histories of Indians from around the United States housed at Duke University.

The Draper Manuscript Collection is a significant regional source that includes records of Native Americans.

Draper, Lyman Copeland. Draper Manuscript Collection. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Library, 197-?. (On 147 FS Library films beginning with 889098) The Draper Manuscript Collection consists of nearly 500 volumes of manuscripts, papers, and books collected by Draper about the history of the trans-Allegheny West, a region including the western areas of the Carolinas and Virginia, all the Ohio River Valley, and part of the upper Mississippi Valley from the 1740s to 1830. The collection is divided into 50 series. Some series are titled by geographic area, some by the names of prominent frontier and Indian leaders, and some by topic. The bulk of the collection consists of notes from interviews, questionnaires, and letters gathered during Draper’s extensive travels and research to learn about frontier history. Personal papers are much more rare than government or military records. The collection includes many items of a genealogical or biographical nature. For an inventory and partial indexes, see:

Harper, Josephine L. Guide to the Draper Manuscripts. Madison, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1983. (FS Library book 977.583/M1 A3h; fiche 6050187.) This guide gives series and volume descriptions for some of the Draper manuscripts. There are several indexes at the end of the book, including a name and subject index and an additional personal data index.

Wolfe, Barbara Schull. Index to Lyman C. Draper Manuscripts. Logansport, Indiana: B. S. Wolfe, 197-?. (FS Library book 977.583/M1 A3w.) The name index gives the series and volume numbers, but is not complete.

Indian Pioneer Papers, 1860-1935. Millwood, New York: Kraus Microform, 1989. ( FS Library fiche 6016865-981 [set of 1012].) These papers contain interviews of people married to Indians, those living on or near a reservation, and other information concerning life in the Oklahoma Territory. An index is included.

McLaughlin, James. Major James McLaughlin Papers, 1855-1937. Richardton, North Dakota: Assumption Abbey Archive. (On 39 FS Library films beginning with FS Library film 494467.) These papers include correspondence kept by James McLaughlin, who was an Indian agent in North Dakota from 1876 to 1896 and an Indian inspector from 1895 to 1923. An index is included. For details see:

Guide to the Microfilm Edition of the Major James McLaughlin Papers. Richardton, North Dakota: Assumption College, 1969. (FS Library book 973 A1 no. 200.) This guide contains a description of the roll numbers and includes an index to Indian agencies.

Pratt, John Gill. John G. Pratt Papers, 1834-1899 in the Kansas State Historical Society. Topeka, Kansas: KSHS, [1970?]. (On 13 FS Library films beginning with 812758.)

These are papers regarding Indian agency correspondence, newspaper articles, business papers, account books, allotments, and vouchers. Bennett, Archibald F.Indian Descendants; Research Data (Pedigrees, Letters, Notes). Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1967. (FS Library Film 528753)

Adams, James Taylor. James Taylor Adams Collection. St. Louis, Missouri: R. R. Seibel and D.A. Griffith, 1971. (On 13 FS Library films beginning with 1689768.) This is a list of families from Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee primarily about Adams families and relatives.

CANADA
Many Canadian families have produced family histories or newsletters containing genealogical information, biographies, photographs, and other information. Many of the histories are listed in:

Canadian Genealogy Index 1600s-1900s, from the Genealogical Research Library. Novato, California: Broderbund Software, 1996.(FS Library compact disc number 9 of 118.) This compact disc gives dates and places for about two million names. It also includes source information.

BIOGRAPHY
A biography is a history of a person’s life. In a biography you may find the Native American’s birth, marriage, and death information as well as the names of his parents, children, and other family members. Biographies often include photographs, family traditions and stories, clues about an ancestor’s place of origin and residence, church affiliation, military service, and activities within the tribe or community.The information must be used carefully, however, because there may be inaccuracies.

Individual Biographies
The Library has individual biographies written about specific individuals. These individual biographies deal with famous Indians, mostly Chiefs of tribes, such as:

Eaton, Rachel Caroline. John Ross and the Cherokee Indians. New York, New York: AMS Press, 1978. (FS Library book 970.3 C424er; fiche 6101831.) The Surname Search of the FamilySearch Catalog will lead you to biographies and published family histories on specific Indians.

Compiled Biographies
Hundreds of brief biographical sketches have been collected and published in compiled biographies, sometimes called “biographical encyclopedias.” These collections deal with prominent and well-known citizens of a particular area. They may also include biographies of scientists, writers, artists, activists and prominent people of other professions.

Generally, Native Americans will not be found in early local county histories or in family histories. By the middle of the 20th century, many Native Americans were becoming prominent leaders in different fields. The FamilySearch Library has many compiled biographies of these Native Americans. A few of these are:

Malinowski, Sharon, and Simon Glickman. Native North American Biography. Two Volumes. Not published, 1996. (FS Library book 970.1 N212n.) This biography contains several hundred biographies and includes a surname index.

Biographical and Historical Index of American Indians and Persons Involved in Indian Affairs. Eight Volumes. Boston, Massachusetts: G. K. Hall, 1966. (FS Library book Q970.1 Un3b; films 1636598-605.) This book contains biographies of several hundred Indians, Indian agents and others who worked for the BIA. It is arranged alphabetically by subject, Indian tribe and person’s name.

Sonneborn, Liz. A to Z of Native American Women.New York, New York: Facts on File, 1998. (FS Library book 970.1 So59a.) This source contains biographies and pictures of over a hundred women. It contains indexes by name, tribe, year of birth, and area of expertise.

SOCIETIES AND PERIODICALS
Societies can help whether your ancestors joined a society or not. Historical societies have collected histories and other important documents describing the area(s) around them. Genealogical societies, lineage and hereditary societies, and family associations have collected family histories, pedigrees, and other family records. Societies can provide research assistance, maps, and other helps. Some societies allow only members to use their records. See United States Societies, "Internet genealogical sites" for directories of societies.

Genealogical Societies
Genealogical societies have been organized in all states, provinces, and most counties. They generally collect family documents, publish periodicals, help you contact local record searchers, and have special projects and indexes. Your local public library and the Internet may have guides to help you locate these organizations.

Historical Societies
Historical societies generally collect historical documents of local interest, publish periodicals, and have special projects and indexes. They also have been organized in all states, provinces, and most counties. Your local public library and the Internet may have guides to help you locate these organizations.

The American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia has collected a large amount of information on Indians:

Freeman, John F. A Guide to Manuscripts Relating to the American Indian in the Library of the American Philosophical Society. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: APS, 1966. (FS Library Book 970.1 F877g.) This list of manuscripts is arranged by tribe, language, and area.

The Oklahoma Historical Society has a biographical index about Indian Records, various state and local histories, family information, letters and records of various tribes, census rolls, journals of explorers, and military records:

Oklahoma Historical Society. Indian Archives Division. Catalog of Microfilm Holdings in the Archives &amp; Manuscripts Division Oklahoma Historical Society 1976-1989: Native American Tribal Records and Special Collections. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma : The Society, 1976-1989. (FS Library Book 970.1 Ok4cm.) Their address is:

Oklahoma Historical Society Museum The State Museum of Oklahoma 2100 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Telephone: 405-521-2491 Internet: http://www.okhistory.org/

(One of the largest collections of Indian historical documents in the world.)

Other Organizations
You may want to check with museums in the area where your ancestors lived to see if they have any information about tribes. For example:

Kelley House Historical Museum Index to Indians and Others, ca. 1850-1960. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1991. (FS Library film 1765076 item 2.) This card index includes an index to the 1860 census and other records in the Kelley House Museum in Mendocino, California.

Military veterans organizations are also a good place to look for those who served in various wars and branches of the service. These are described in United States Military Records.

For military records of Indian Wars, see:

Order of the Indian Wars


 * P.O. Box 7401
 * Little Rock, AR 72217
 * Telephone: 501-225-3996
 * Internet: http://www.oiwus.org/

Periodicals
Most historical societies and genealogical societies and some family organizations publish magazines and newsletters. They typically focus on the records of a particular county, while a few may specialize in records of a particular ethnic group or religion. Periodicals often include family genealogies and pedigrees, transcripts of local courthouse records, church records, family Bibles and cemetery records, helpful articles on history and research methodology, information about local records, archives, and services, book advertisements and book reviews, research advertisements, and queries or requests for information about specific ancestors that can help you contact other researchers.

North Native American periodicals generally are more historical in nature, but some publish documents relating to Indians such as transcripts of sources and tips on research methodology and sources. Historical and genealogical societies near Indian reservations also publish transcripts of records and other material of interest to the Indian family historian. A bibliography for Indian periodicals is:

Danky, James P. Native American Periodicals and Newspapers, 1828-1982. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1984. This book is available through the Wisconsin Historical Society and through inter-library loan. It contains periodicals for both the United States and Canada.

There is also a name index to Native American periodicals produced in Wisconsin in:

Danky, James P. Index to Wisconsin Native American Periodicals, 1897-1981. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1983. This microfiche index contains over 44,000 entries. The index is the largest name index to Native American periodicals in existence. It is available at the Wisconsin Historical Society and through inter-library loan.

A few major Indian periodicals include:

The Journal of American Indian Family Research.1980-. Published by Histree, 803 South 5th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364. (FS Library book 970.1 J825j.) In addition to histories of different tribes, queries, bibliographies, and research tips, this source contains abstracts of tribal rolls, court records, and treaties. It is indexed only in the Periodical Source Index (PERSI).

Journal of Cherokee Studies. 1976- Published by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, P.O. Box 770-A, Cherokee, North Carolina (FS Library book 970.3 C424jc.) This periodical contains historical articles and biographies of notable persons. It is indexed in PERSI and there is a ten year index in:

Carden, Gary. Index for the Ten-Year Treasury of the Cherokee Studies, 1976-1986. Not published: Friends of Sequoyah, 1985. (FS Library book 970.3 C424jc index.) This indexes the subjects and authors in articles about Cherokees in Oklahoma and North Carolina.

SENA: Southeastern Native American Exchange. 1997-. Published by Jacqueline Hines, P.O. Box 161424, Mobile, Alabama 36616-2424. (FS Library book 970.1 F35s.) This quarterly periodical contains information on the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians. It contains abstracts of citizenship rolls, court records, and articles about Native American genealogy and history. It is unindexed and is not in PERSI.

Indexes
Some Native American genealogical periodicals have annual indexes in the final issue of the year. For nationwide indexes to the first two of these and other family history periodicals see:

PERiodical Source Index (PERSI). 31+ Volumes. Ft.Wayne, Indiana: Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1986-. (FS Library book 973 D25per 18471985; fiche 6016863 [set of 40] (1847-1985; book 973 D25per (1986-1990); fiche 6016864 [set of 15] (19861990).) This indexes over 1.1 million articles in over 5,000 English-language and French Canadian family history periodicals. For further instructions, see the Periodical Source Index Resource Guide (34119). For easier-to-use, more complete computer editions of the index, see:

Periodical Source Index [CD-ROM]. Orem, Utah: Ancestry™, and the Allen County Public Library Foundation, 1997. (FS Library compact disk number 61.) This does not circulate to FamilySearch centers. It merges all 31+ volumes into one index.

“Periodical Source Index Search.” In Ancestry.com [Internet site]. [Orem, Utah]: Ancestry, 1999. Available at www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3165.htm. This online database is available only to Ancestry.com members for a subscription fee.

Copies of periodicals are available from the local societies that publish them. Major archives with genealogical collections will have copies of many periodicals, particularly those representing the area they serve.

The FamilySearch Library subscribes to numerous periodicals. These are listed the FamilySearch Catalog in several ways. If you know the title of a periodical, use the Author/Title Search. To find Native American periodicals, use the Subject Search of the FamilySearch Catalog.