Learn More About Your Native American Heritage

“This is truly amazing as it is difficult to trace Native American and African American ancestry. Your site, literally, was the ONLY place that has usable information to prove my ancestors’ existence, including marriages, divorces, previous addresses and where they’re buried. The completeness and accuracy is overwhelming.” – S.F. Rich

Trace your Native American genealogy online and discover your family's stories

Discover your Native American heritage and complete your family tree with new details and stories found in popular newspapers and publications from all across the United States. Our historical archives contain a wealth of information about our early Native American ancestors, including both federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes. Search thousands of newspapers including tribal specific publications, the world’s largest obituary collection online as well as historical records, including birth and marriage announcements, and historical books dating from the 1600s to today.

With exclusive Native American newspapers and over 300 years of coverage, discover new stories and details about your ancestors.

Find news articles and government documents that cover key events in Native American history and the events that changed your ancestors’ lives. Uncover stories about the American Indian Wars, the Trail of Tears, and the establishment of reservations, up to Native American life today. Or learn more about your Native American family history and heritage in the Bureau of American Ethnology publications, a rich resource for Native American Indian ancestry research.

Search by Name
Your family name is a great starting point, however keep in mind the following aspects when searching for Native American ancestors by name.

• The annual Federal Indian Census list began in the 1880s, but the same person may be listed under two names, an Indian and English name, or even as “Refused to Answer” as many people did not want to provide their family names.
• Also keep in mind that names used in newspaper articles may be nicknames. This may explain why you’ve reached a dead end in your research. Read more
  
  

  • Start your journey by searching for a known ancestor from more recent times. As Native Americans assimilated into urban communities, many of their rich traditions and cultural practices were gradually dispersed. By leveraging this knowledge, you can skillfully navigate through Native American genealogy records and retrace your roots.
  • Engage in oral history research. While approximately four million Americans identify as having Native American ancestry, it is essential to acknowledge that some of the narratives surrounding this heritage may be embellished. However, by interviewing living relatives, one can gain valuable insights into their languages, cultures, and tribal affiliations. This understanding is a crucial starting point for conducting a more informed and focused search for ancestral connections.
  • Explore the intricate history of tribes that have undergone mergers or divisions. It is important to note that the tribes officially recognized by the federal government today may not encompass all the tribes that have faded into obscurity throughout history. Take the Seminole tribe of Florida as an illustrative example, which comprises a diverse amalgamation of Muskogee, Creek, Southeastern Indians, and African-Americans. By delving into such complexities, a more comprehensive understanding of Native American heritage can be attained.
  • It is essential to recognize that certain tribes may operate under alternative names. While the general population commonly refers to the tribe as Navajo, it is important to acknowledge that they identify themselves as the Diné.
  • If you cannot find a tribal name, search for tribes associated with the places where your ancestor resided. This could be a county or a state.
  • Ancestors that lived on or close to a Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or a reservation will usually have a record linked to that place. Look up the information related to those reservations during that time for more information, which can include further searches.
  • Read around your ancestors. Native American affairs were often spoken about in local newspapers of the time. Combing through some of these back issues around significant events can provide vital insights into what your ancestor may have experienced.
  • Balance your research between mainstream newspapers and special-interest newspapers. For example, Iapi Oave applies to the Dakota Territory. Mainstream newspapers varied in coverage based on proximity to reservations, politics, and current events.
• Note: An Indian census list is not enough to prove tribal affiliation. These lists are a good starting point but you will also need the tribal enrollment lists.

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Search by Native American Tribes
Use GenealogyBank’s keyword include (and exclude) feature to find newspaper articles about specific tribes and/or people.

• Pro tip: Use the location (state) feature to narrow your search to a specific Indian territory

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Search Birth and Marriage Announcements
These exciting moments were published in newspapers and help you add details beyond names and dates to your family tree and discover unknown Native American ancestors.

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Search by Tribe Specific Newspapers
If you know the tribe of your American Indian ancestors, you can search newspapers specific to that tribe such as the Cherokee Advocate or Navajo Times.

Why Use Newspapers for Native American Ancestry Research?

Throughout history, Native Americans predominantly transmitted their stories orally, preserving their heritage through generations within their families. However, due to a combination of prejudice, destruction, and pervasive challenges, constructing a Native American family tree poses a unique set of complexities compared to tracing lineages in other ethnic groups. The intricate nature of this process calls for sensitivity and a deeper understanding of the historical context to navigate the complexities and uncover ancestral connections. Read more

Native American Ancestry FAQs

What is the DNA ancestry of Native Americans?

Previously, Native American genealogy testing predominantly supported the theory that the ancestors of Native Americans descended from the submerged landmass of Beringia. This land bridge once connected Russia and North America approximately 13,000 years ago.

Nonetheless, recent advancements in genetic testing have unveiled compelling evidence that challenges this long-held theory. These new findings indicate the presence of genetic markers linking Native Americans not only to Siberia and East Asia but also to regions in Latin America, including Chile, Brazil, and Belize. In other words, it suggests a complex ancestral tapestry where separate lineages from different regions of the Americas have intermixed and contributed to the Native American gene pool over time. These insights expand our understanding of the diverse origins and migration patterns of Native American populations.

How can I find out if I’m a descendant of a Native American?

Figuring out how to find Native American ancestry is easier than ever because of DNA testing. Countless DNA testing services can analyze a saliva sample and tell you what your DNA consists of.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge a significant range of variation in the accuracy of genealogy testing. To increase the reliability of the results, it is advisable to choose a service that analyzes a substantial number of genetic markers. Tests encompassing more markers tend to be more accurate and provide a higher likelihood of detecting Native American ancestry if it exists within your genetic makeup.

Be aware that ethnic DNA testing remains a controversial and much-questioned science, so this is not something to rely on as a central part of the process.

Why is tracing Native American family members so difficult?

Native American family research is one of the most challenging genealogical tasks for family researchers.

The issue is the scarcity of available records, which poses a significant challenge in tracing Native American ancestry. While the Bureau of Indian Affairs is frequently referenced, the availability of records for Native Americans is notably limited compared to other ethnic groups. As a result, conducting thorough research often necessitates visiting multiple state repositories in person. These repositories serve as critical sources where extensive on-site investigation becomes necessary to uncover and piece together the ancestral history of Native American individuals.

How can I find out if I have Native American ancestors?

If nobody can tell you whether you have a Native American ancestor in your family, several clues could help your search.

First, look up the censuses throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. An “I” in the “Race” column would reveal that an ancestor was Native American. Likewise, if your ancestor was named on any records about tribe enrollment, such as the Dawes or Guion-Miller rolls, this would indicate a Native American ancestor.

Finally, if any of your family members were living in Indian Territory in 1900, which makes up most of modern-day Oklahoma, this would guarantee that you have a Native American family member.

Does having a Native American family member make me eligible for tribe enrollment?

Discovering a Native American ancestor may lead to questions about obtaining tribal membership. Unfortunately, the presence of an ancestor alone isn’t enough to make you eligible.

Requirements differ between tribes, and you’ll need to contact the tribe individually for a complete set of requirements.