United States, Native American, Eastern Cherokee Enrollment Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains Eastern Cherokee enrollment records that were created by the U.S. Court of Claims. These records were used to determine who was eligible for funds under the treaties of 1835-36 and 1845 between the United States and the Eastern Cherokee tribes. The records are part of Record Group 75, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and are from microfilm publication M685, Records Relating to Enrollment of Eastern Cherokee by Guion Miller, 1908-1910.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Most of the reservation rolls may include:


 * Name
 * Ages
 * Gender
 * Degree of Indian Blood
 * Enrollment Date, place and number
 * Parents and their enrollment date and place
 * Spouses
 * Divorces
 * Children
 * Grandchildren

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor's given name and surname
 * Identifying information such as residence

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?

 * If the individual or family are listed in the rolls, 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 in your research for your family in the United States.
 * Finding Your Indian Ancestor
 * Starting Native American Research
 * American Indians Beginning Your Search
 * Indians of North America - A Beginner's Guide
 * Searching for an American Indian When the Tribe is Unknown
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

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.