Native American Reference Reports

Native American genealogy in Federal records depends primarily upon the use of records created by the Indian Affairs Office (later renamed the Bureau of Indian Affairs). These records relate to tribes officially recognized by the United States, including the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminoles) and other Native American nations involved in various treaties or guardianship relationships with the Federal Government. Native American Reference Reports describe research strategies for some of the most frequently used records relating to Native American genealogy, including a variety of census and enrollment rolls created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of the Census, and published government sources (including the American State Papers and the Official Register) about Indian agents, superintendents, and Native Americans employed by the Indian Affairs Office in the Department of the Interior.

Click on the title to view a PDF version of the reference report.