Tips for Researching Native American Ancestors

Tips for Researching Native American Roots
By Choctaw Chief Leo Pergson
 
Copied from an email sent to the MSGenweb coordinators by permission of Chief Pergson.
 
Lately, I have been getting a lot of interest in folks researching their Indian heritage.
I have been using this format to start folks out on, anyone interested in using this same format, feel welcome,
it seems to be helpful for the first time Indian researchers. Any additions are also welcome.
Buddy P. [MSGENWEB.ORG] Leopergson@aol.com

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There's a long process to finding out if you or your direct descendants are Indian.
 
First of all your folks would have to have some kind of paper trail,
like ancestral Tribal enrollment with a specific Tribe from historical Times, like Cherokee or Choctaw, Chickasaw etc.
[DEFINING TRIBES DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE TO MEAN FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED]
but you have to begin with some kind of Native American Historical Records
,,, Historical Treaties, long standing tribal enrollment and a long standing historical political influence,
Newspaper articles, [Indian Community involvement] - Indian Church's, [Published American Indian material], etc.
 
Start your with aboriginal Indian territory where you believe your Indian ancestry comes from. OK, NC TX, MS etc.

Then, narrow it down to the Tribe your ancestors claims.
In order to be recognized or registered with a particular Tribe you have to have Vital Records, Birth, Death, Marriage, etc.
 
NOW, that being said, where do we start with your Indian Ancestry?
 
ALSO, we strive to not be so political,
it really is a long or hard nosed when giving credit to those who know they are Indian without any kind of legal paper trail,
 
BUT, Always begin with a written or typed-out [ANCESTRAL GENEALOGY CHART]
using elders word-of-mouth history, family involvement helps,
Use sites like ANCESRTY.COM HELP tremendously,
We're certainly not perfect when researching out someone's Indian Ancestry, but,
we really are dedicated to helping with Indian Ancestry,
and we really do try and help in any way we can,

Hope this has helped you

NATIVE AMERICANS LISTED ON FEDERAL CENSUS AS "WHITE"

The United States Census Bureau
(Officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title 13 U.S.C. § 11)
http://www.archives.gov/research/order/orderonline.html

Indians Marked "White" on a U.S. Federal Census

The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title 13 U.S.C. § 11)
A Brief overview of race and ethnicity in the U.S. Census history 1790-2010 also 1940-2000 [Population].
Topic: General: "Indians Recorded on Federal Census as "white"

How American Indians are identified, or not, on a U.S. Federal census. although there are many rules over the years regarding Indians taxed and those not taxed, Indians recorded on Federal Census as "white"

In 1870, the rule for census enumerators was:

By the phrase 'Indians not taxed' is meant Indians living on reservations under the care of Government agents, or roaming individually, or in bands, over unsettled tracts of country."

"Indians not in tribal relations, whether full-bloods or half-breeds, who are found mingled with the white population, residing in white families, engaged as servants or laborers, or living in huts or wigwams on the outskirts of towns or settlements are to be regarded as a part of the ordinary population of the country for the constitutional purpose of the apportionment of Representatives among the States, and are to be embraced in the enumeration."
 
But, As an American Indian researcher, one of the most important instructions provided by the government for the 1870 census: "Where persons reported as 'Half-breeds' are found residing with whites, adopting their habits of life and methods of industry, such persons are to be treated as belonging to the white population. Where, on the other hand, they are found in communities composed wholly, or mainly of Indians, the opposite construction is taken."

Respectfully: Leo Pergson Choctaw Nation Carroll County Mississippi.