As genealogists, we’re often asked to research the likelihood and details of a client’s Native American heritage. Legacy Tree Genealogists' researcher Michelle Carroll digs deeper into her journey and successful strategies when tracing her Cherokee ancestors.
If you believe that you may have Cherokee ancestors and have always wanted to know more, let me encourage you to leap into discovering your Native American heritage. Learning about my own Cherokee family has been one of the most rewarding parts of my genealogical journey. Although there are unique challenges associated with Cherokee research, finding a family connection is an achievable goal when armed with a good research plan and an understanding of available records. To begin, I suggest reading our previous post on the basics of researching Cherokee Ancestry. Then read on to learn more about how to approach your research project, the limitations of DNA in Native American research, tribal citizenship, and the use of Cherokee rolls.
My grandparents were born in Oklahoma, and my family told me that my grandfather was part Cherokee. Tribal rolls, which listed the names, ages, and other information of individual members of the tribe, confirmed the family stories and provided the evidence I needed to apply for Cherokee Nation citizenship. The key to tracing your connection to the tribes is understanding where your family lived in proximity to the Cherokee throughout history.
Before the disputed 1835 Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the Cherokees' forced removal from their homeland (known as the Trail of Tears), they were primarily spread across portions of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The exception was those who left their native homeland under the treaty of 1817 to claim property around modern-day Arkansas and were eventually removed to Indian Territory [present-day Oklahoma], referred to as “Old Settlers.” By 1850 multiple migrations led many tribal members to settle in the Indian Territory. However, a small group avoided the forced relocation. It remained in the Eastern U.S. Knowing when and where your family lived within these states will help determine which records to consult during your research.
DNA Testing Limitations
As a genetic genealogist for Legacy Tree, I rely on DNA to solve genealogical puzzles and break down brick walls; however, it is essential to understand DNA's limitations in Native American research. While a DNA test may provide evidence of Indigenous American ethnicity, connect you with relatives, and encourage further research, it does not establish a connection to a specific tribe. It is not accepted as proof when applying for Cherokee citizenship. There are 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes and villages in the United States. If your DNA results reveal Native American ethnicity, finding your connection should begin by tracing each generation of your family back in time until you find a tribe that lived near your ancestors.
Cherokee Rolls, Blood Quantum, and Tribal Citizenship
Today there are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes. Each tribe has slightly different requirements for citizenship. To claim tribal affiliation and apply for citizenship with any tribes, you must prove descendency from someone on a specified Cherokee roll. Two of the tribes also require a minimum degree of blood quantum for citizenship. Identifying your blood quantum does not require a blood test but is calculated from the blood quantum recorded on your ancestor's roll entry. The three Cherokee tribes are:
- Cherokee Nation: Comprised primarily of the descendants of Cherokees and Cherokee Freemen who were removed via the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory in northeast Oklahoma, citizenship requires a direct ancestor listed on the 1900 Dawes Rolls. The Cherokee Nation does not have a minimum blood quantum requirement.
- United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians: They comprise the “Old Settlers” who voluntarily relocated to Arkansas before the Trail of Tears. The government then removed to Indian Territory in northeast Oklahoma; citizenship requires a direct ancestor listed on the 1949 Base Roll and a minimum 1/4 degree blood quantum.
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: This group comprises the descendants of a small group of Cherokees who remained in the eastern U.S. after the Trail of Tears; citizenship requires a direct ancestor listed on the 1924 Baker Roll and a minimum 1/16 degree blood quantum.
My tribal citizenship came through descendency from my second great-grandfather, Arch Sequichie (Cherokee name Ah-Tsi), recorded on the 1900 Dawes index card with 3/4 degree blood quantum. His eldest three children were also named, including my then one-year-old great-grandmother, Nina. One of the most important pieces of genealogical information on Arch's index card would be easy to overlook if you didn't know its importance. Under the column titled “Tribal Enrollment” is his reference number in the 1880 Indian Census and the name of the district his family lived in at the time. This reference number made locating his birth family in the 1880 census very easy and resulted in another generation of Sequichie names added to my family tree. The Dawes index card also contains handwritten notes referencing other family records, which illustrates two of the most crucial research strategies for tracing your Cherokee ancestors, which are to:
- Work your way backward chronologically through records
- Take note of the clues the recordkeepers left in every number and notation because they will lead you to other records
I found significantly more information in the family's full Dawes application, including Arch's wedding date to his wife Esther and an affidavit by midwife Harriet E. Brown confirming my great-grandmother, Nina Sequichie's birth. Further research would reveal that Harriet E. Brown was Nina's maternal grandmother.
Tracing Your Cherokee Ancestors Beyond the Trail of Tears
One of the primary reasons working your way backward chronologically through records is important for successful Cherokee research is to trace the name changes that were prevalent during the removal and relocation. As I worked my way back through rolls for my own family, I found notes in Arch Sequichie's Eastern Cherokee Claims Application explaining name changes for his mother, Ah-yau-sti, as she traveled the Trail of Tears. When she arrived in Indian Territory, Ah-yau-sti received the English name, Martha Powell. These notes also reference the family's group number in the 1851 Drennen Roll. Using this step-by-step research strategy helped me to successfully identify my family in the Henderson Roll taken before the Trail of Tears and find the location of their original land near the North Carolina-Georgia border.
Although researching your Cherokee roots can be time-consuming, the connections you make with relatives and stories you learn about your family make it is a goal worth pursuing. If digging into these records on your own seems daunting, our expert researchers would be honored to help you through the process. Contact us today to let us know how we can help you learn more about your heritage.
I need to find my tribe
Hi Stephanie,
If digging into your family heritage seems daunting, and you feel like you need help, our expert researchers would be happy to help you. Feel free to contact our Client Solutions Specialists who can give you a free estimate if research is needed.
How do I find out if my ancestry goes back to trails of tears I’m 1/4 Cherokee my grandma was full blooded Cherokee and my dad was 1/2 so I’m a quarter
Hi Sandra, we have researchers who specialize in Cherokee research. Please contact our Client Solutions Specialists through the form on our Get in Touch page. If you speak to one of our Client Solutions Specialists, they can give you a free estimate based on your needs. We offer full-service research, 45-minute consultations, and several packages in between.
I found my sisters , I was taken from my mother at birth she was 15 before the ICWA in the 80’s many indigenous children were stolen. I’m half Cherokee/ Lumbee
What a great discovery to reconnect with your sisters. Will you continue to build your family tree now that you have that connection to your mom?
Absolutely! We are getting together this Thursday actually.
That’s amazing-such a great experience for all of you.
My paternal grandmother was born in Broken Arrow Oklahoma in 1908, and I very much would like to get some help in tracing my heritage. I remember being told that she was once approached about a tribal census, and refused. I believe her mother was full or half Cherokee. My grandmother’s as well as her siblings features were so strong of Native American decedent. My father had the smoothest black skin, and beautiful hair. The high cheek bones, skin tone, and my nose keeps me curious. Please help.
We have several researchers at Legacy Tree who specialized in Cherokee ancestry research. If you’d like to continue to research your family line, the best way to start would be to contact us by filling out a form at http://www.legacytree.com/. Our client support specialists can give you recommendations on next steps and help you determine if a research project would be right for you.
Will you please help me find my family
Thank you for reaching out Tonia. To assist you in your research, you can reach out for a free quote and to talk with a client support specialist by completing the form at http://www.legacytree.com. We offer many research project options and can make a recommendation once we know more information. Thank you.
My geart grandma Catherine waggoner is on the rolls can you help me
Hi Brenda! We’d love to help you out. You can fill out a form here to begin the process of working with our team of professional genealogists.
I’m a member of the Cherokee Nation that lives in VA & used to go to Locust Grove OK almost every summer as a kid to visit my Dad’s family Anyway I believe Cherokee is made up of 7 or 9 Clans I may be wrong on the numbers but I was wondering if the Clans were separate by Location ,Trade etc & best way to determine my family’s Clan?
Hi Kevin! Thank you for your question! The Eastern Cherokee website has more general information about the clans here:
https://georgiatribeofeasterncherokee.org/cherokee-culture
The Cherokee were matriarchal so the poster would need to research the women in his/her line beyond the Trail of Tears in hopes of finding the clan connection. This link also has some helpful information about clan research:
https://cherokeeregistry.com/cherokee-genealogy-clan/
Hope this helps!
What if your great greats greats didn’t sign the roll but you are believed to have Cherokee blood how do you find out and become a tribal menber
Hi Marissa! We’d love to help you find out if/how you can become a tribal member. A great place to start is to schedule a consultation with one of our Cherokee specialists here: http://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
How does a relative have to be to be able to claim to have Indian blood. My fourth great grand mother was full blooded Cherokee. He father was Chief Attakullakulla. Her name was Rebecca Cherokee. Her daughter married into my father family. On my mother side they are farther back but there is a group called Algonquin Shinnecock tribe of Indians. My Sixth Great Grand father Attakullakulla was married to Ollie Oconostota of the paint clan. You will find Attakullakulla in 1710/1781.His nick name was Little carpenter. So if any at all would there be any Indian blood in me.
Hello Charles! We’d love to help you out with your question. It would probably be best for you to schedule a 45-minute consultation with one of our professionals to make sure we have all the info we need to fully answer your question. You can schedule a consultation here: http://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
For years, family stories pointed to us having a Cherokee bloodline, but I was always told things were lost, forgotten, or never known, but the conversation always pivoted around my great, great, great grandmother being full blood Cherokee, but no one knew her name. I did some research and found her name, her birth and death date, and to whom she was married in my grandmother’s family tree, but I have no idea where to go from here because I find absolutely nothing going further back. I’d it possible to learn more about her and her heritage with that little information?
Wow, Brian! Well done staying with a pursuing those family stories! This would be a great reason to set up a 45-minute consultation with one of our experts in Cherokee genealogy. You can schedule a session here: http://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
I need to find out if my family is listed in the Cherokee Nation last name Sams
Hi Lou! We would love to help you find out more about your Cherokee Nation family. A great place to start would be to schedule a 45-minute consulation with one of our experts here: http://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
Trying to find out about my greatgrandmothersher last name is Taylor her daughter name was Ruby Clark Taylor they were from North Carolina
and Ruby’s last resided in Richmond Virginia
Hello, Kebia! We’d love to help you with this. A great place to start is with a 45-minute consultation with one of our experts. You can schedule a consultation here: http://www.LegacyTree.com/genealogy-consultation
Please someone help me find my family
Hi, Shana! Someone on our team will be reaching out to you shortly to further discuss your desire to find family members.
I am of white and cherokee, caddo, commanche mix. I am o negative, recently findingvout about the o negative cherokees and hebrew origins and similar monotheism and rituals they practiced the same as the Hebrews. Does anyone have any soundcresearch on thesextopics?
Hello, Donna! We have experts on our team who can help you get started or continue with your research. The best way to work with us would be to schedule a 1:1 45-minute consultation. You can schedule that here: http://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
I was raised by my mother so I don’t know too much about my father’s side of the family but I was told that his mother was full-blooded Cherokee her name was Elizabeth I think she was married to a white man named Harry Burton that is also my dad’s name and his son’s name. My Dad ran away at 8 years old from his parents. And never returned. I was told that my family ran away and got away and didn’t have to go on the trail of tears. My mother also told me there is a possibility to that there’s a Lakota on her side of the family. I really want to get in touch with my native American roots and find out where I came from and if I have any living relatives and I would just like to know who my relatives were even if they are deceased I would like to trace back and find out what happened to them during this terrible time that they were being forced off their lands. I don’t know my what my great grandparents’ names were on my dad’s side. So I basically don’t have any information to work with
I went down the Legacy Tree rabbit hole a few months just to learn more about my estranged fathers side of the family and was surprised to find that I have Cherokee ancestors, many grandmothers ago. I did a little more research and hit a dead end not find anything in the Dawes or Baker Rolls. I almost dropped it and then stumbled upon this great article written by Michelle. I’d like some help to ‘prove’ my Cherokee heritage so I can continue to pass the pride and stories of our heritage down to my children.
Thanks M
Thank you for sharing your journey, M. It’s amazing how one discovery can open up a whole new connection to your heritage. We’re so glad Michelle’s article helped reignite your search—stories like yours are exactly why we do what we do. Even when ancestors don’t appear in the Dawes or Baker Rolls, there may still be ways to trace Cherokee heritage through other records and historical context. Someone from our team will be reaching out to see how we can support you in documenting your family’s Cherokee roots. We’d love to help you preserve and pass that legacy on to your children.