United States, Native American Birth and Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in the Collection?
The collection contains vital (birth and death) records that were added (starting in 1925) to the census rolls. The census was taken yearly by the field agents for various Native American tribes. The vital records were included in National Archives microfilm publication M595 Indian Census Roll, 1885-1940 and are part of Record Group 75, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
These death records may include:
 * The name of the individual
 * Date of Death
 * Age at death
 * Gender
 * Tribe
 * Cause of death

Coverage Table
The coverage table will identify those census roll that contained vital record information that has been indexed in this publication.

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person
 * The state where the individual or family lived

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Check for additional tribal records
 * Learn about tribal customs such as inheritance
 * Contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), or an agency associated with the tribe
 * Contact Tribal archives and libraries

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The name of your ancestor may have changed from one Indian name to a different Indian name, consider alternative names
 * The name of your ancestor may have changed from an Indian name to a Christian name
 * The name of your ancestor may have been abbreviated

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the United States.
 * Finding Your Indian Ancestor
 * Starting Native American Research
 * American Indians Beginning Your Search
 * Indigenous Peoples of North America - A Beginner's Guide
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States Research Tips and Strategies

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Edward E. Hill, comp. Guide to records in the National Archives of the United States relating to American Indians. Washington, D.C. : United States. Government Printing Office, 1981 FS Library 970.1 H551g
 * Edward E. Hill. Historical sketches for jurisdictional and subject headings used for the letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80. National Archives microfilm publications; T1105
 * Indian census rolls, 1885-1940.
 * United States, Native American Indian census records : schedules of a special census of Indians, 1880

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Edward E. Hill, comp. Preliminary inventory of the records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, record group 75. 2 volumes. Washington, D.C. : National Archives & Records Administration, 1965
 * American Indians : a select catalog of National Archives microfilm publications.Washington, D.C. : National Archives & Records Administration, 1984
 * E. Kay Kirkham. Our Native Americans and their records of genealogical value. 3 volumes. Logan, Utah : Everton Publishers, c1980-1984, 1985

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Estados Unidos, Registros de Nascimento e Óbito de Nativos Americanos (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)