Enrolling as a member of a tribe is one way to verify your Native American heritage.It is possible to trace your ancestry back to someone who was part of a tribe.If you meet the tribe's requirements, you can apply for membership on your own.
Step 1: Consider genetic testing.
Legally, genetic testing can't prove you are of Native American descent.You can compare your genetic makeup against that of another person or against a database maintained by the testing company to find out if there is a relationship between you and Native Americans.Before you embark on your research, you may be able to use genetic testing to prove or disprove your Native American heritage.
Step 2: Start searching at home.
You want to trace your ancestry backwards through your parents, grandparents, or further back to locate a descendant of a Native American tribe.You should begin collecting the names and dates of birth, death, and marriage of your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so on.Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be found in relatives' possession, as well as pictures, newspaper clippings, letters and diaries.
Step 3: You can search online.
There are more and more documents available on the internet.To find references to your ancestors, use a search engine.You can use social-networking sites to reach distant relatives and people who may be related to you.If you find a reference to your great-grandfather in a newspaper's online archive in another state, you might consider sending messages to social-network users who live in that state.
Step 4: You should consult local records.
You may be able to find information about your ancestors in the school records.The records of those who werebaptized are kept by churches.Records of wills and property conveyances can be found at the local courthouse.Ask if you can make an appointment to view the records or if the custodian can search them for you.
Step 5: You can search federal records.
You can learn how to access federal records for genealogy research at the U.S. National Archives website.Some records can be found online.Others can be accessed by mail.Census records, military service records and passenger arrival records are some of the records that may be of interest to you.
Step 6: You can request access to tribal records.
There are many sources of records relating to that tribe once you have identified your ancestry's tribal affiliation.To find out what records are available and how to access them, you can contact a tribal leader listed in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Leaders Directory.The National Archives and Records Administration has a collection of Native American Indian records.You can find contact information at the archives.gov.There are some membership rolls and judgment distribution rolls related to settlements of tribal claims against the United States in the Bureau of Indian Affairs.The BIA's membership rolls are incomplete but may be useful in your search.You can find contact information at http://www.indianaffairs.gov.
Step 7: You can learn the requirements by contacting the tribe.
Each tribe has its own rules for eligibility.Lineal descent from someone who appears on the original list is one of the most common requirements.Blood quantum, residency, and continued contact with the tribe are some of the conditions that may vary from tribe to tribe.Request information about the tribe's eligibility requirements if you want to join.If you can trace your ancestry to more than one tribe, you may be able to enroll in multiple tribes at the same time.
Step 8: Take vital-statistics records.
To prove your ancestry when you apply for tribe membership, you will need to present vital-statistics records (birth and death certificates) in an unbroken chain linking yourself to your ancestors who were listed on the tribe's membership roll.You can request copies of vital-statistics records by contacting the department, bureau, or office in your state.Ask the representative of the tribe how to submit vital-statistics records.48 states as well as Washington D.C., American Samoa, and Puerto Rico have outsourced the records-ordering process.To order records online, you have to fill out a form and pay a service fee.
Step 9: You have to apply for a card.
Once you have established your tribal ancestry, you can apply for a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood card from the BIA office that provides services to the tribe in which you are claiming ancestry.You can fill out an application at the website.Attach your birth or death certificates if you follow the instructions for how to list your ancestors.You can find the BIA office to which you should submit your application by consulting the Tribal Leaders Directory.