Approved Guide
How to Master Native American Genealogy and Document Your Lineage
Mastering Native American genealogy is a deeply personal journey that requires a blend of historical research, patience, and a respect for tribal sovereignty. Unlike standard family tree research, tracing indigenous roots often involves navigating specific government records and understanding the distinct laws of individual tribal nations. Whether you are seeking a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) or simply wanting to reconnect with your heritage, knowing how to properly document your lineage is the essential first step.
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Part
1
Documenting Your Ancestry
1
Set up an account on an online genealogy research service.
Online genealogy research services provide tools that will help you access records and organize the information you find. While these services typically require you to purchase a subscription, many public libraries have accounts that allow you to access them for free and set up your own profile.
- Online genealogy research services provide tools that will help you access records and organize the information you find.
- While these services typically require you to purchase a subscription, many public libraries have accounts that allow you to access them for free and set up your own profile.
- Online genealogy research services provide tools that will help you access records and organize the information you find.
- While these services typically require you to purchase a subscription, many public libraries have accounts that allow you to access them for free and set up your own profile.
- Online genealogy research services provide tools that will help you access records and organize the information you find.
2
Start with yourself and work backward through your family.
Search for records dealing with your parents, then move on to your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. Closed adoptions may seem like a dead-end but there are ways you can work around them to trace your ancestry.
- Search for records dealing with your parents, then move on to your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.
- Closed adoptions may seem like a dead-end but there are ways you can work around them to trace your ancestry.
- Search for records dealing with your parents, then move on to your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.
- Closed adoptions may seem like a dead-end but there are ways you can work around them to trace your ancestry.
- Search for records dealing with your parents, then move on to your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.
3
Talk to family members about your Native American ancestry.
Often, family stories will be the source of your belief that you have Native American ancestry. Digging into those stories can help you uncover details about family members that you may not have known. Those details, in turn, can help you fill out your family tree.
- Often, family stories will be the source of your belief that you have Native American ancestry.
- Digging into those stories can help you uncover details about family members that you may not have known.
- Those details, in turn, can help you fill out your family tree.
- Often, family stories will be the source of your belief that you have Native American ancestry.
- Digging into those stories can help you uncover details about family members that you may not have known.
4
Check local court and other public records.
You may not be able to fill out your full family tree online. Public records can help you connect ancestors, particularly those who lived locally. Many of these records required Native Americans to register their ethnicities.
- You may not be able to fill out your full family tree online.
- Public records can help you connect ancestors, particularly those who lived locally.
- Many of these records required Native Americans to register their ethnicities.
- You may not be able to fill out your full family tree online.
- Public records can help you connect ancestors, particularly those who lived locally.
5
Search for your ancestor on the Dawes Commission Rolls.
Finding a Native American ancestor isn't enough if you want to register as a Native American. You must also be able to point to their name on the Dawes Commission Rolls. Many online genealogy research services have access to the Rolls.
- Finding a Native American ancestor isn't enough if you want to register as a Native American.
- You must also be able to point to their name on the Dawes Commission Rolls.
- Many online genealogy research services have access to the Rolls.
- Finding a Native American ancestor isn't enough if you want to register as a Native American.
- You must also be able to point to their name on the Dawes Commission Rolls.
Part
2
Applying for a CDIB Card
1
Fill out your CDIB card application.
The CDIB card application requires you to recreate your family tree, tracing your lineage back to your Native American ancestors. If any of your ancestors were adopted, you will need to list the names of their biological parents if you know them. Include as much information as possible. Your application is more likely to be approved if you have complete information about your ancestors.
- The CDIB card application requires you to recreate your family tree, tracing your lineage back to your Native American ancestors.
- If any of your ancestors were adopted, you will need to list the names of their biological parents if you know them.
- Include as much information as possible.
- Your application is more likely to be approved if you have complete information about your ancestors.
- The CDIB card application requires you to recreate your family tree, tracing your lineage back to your Native American ancestors.
2
Order certified copies of birth and death certificates for everyone listed.
The family tree you create on your application must be supported by documentation. You can expect to pay between $15 and $30 for each certificate you order. These certificates will not be returned to you.
- The family tree you create on your application must be supported by documentation.
- You can expect to pay between $15 and $30 for each certificate you order.
- These certificates will not be returned to you.
- The family tree you create on your application must be supported by documentation.
- You can expect to pay between $15 and $30 for each certificate you order.
3
Submit your CDIB application and supporting documents to the BIA.
Once you have your certificates, mail them along with your completed application to the BIA Agency Office that serves your tribe. There are no fees to apply for a CDIB. It's a good idea to make a copy of everything for your records before you mail it.
- Once you have your certificates, mail them along with your completed application to the BIA Agency Office that serves your tribe.
- There are no fees to apply for a CDIB.
- It's a good idea to make a copy of everything for your records before you mail it.
- Once you have your certificates, mail them along with your completed application to the BIA Agency Office that serves your tribe.
- There are no fees to apply for a CDIB.
4
Wait for your CDIB to arrive in the mail.
Once the BIA receives your application and supporting documents, it will initiate an investigation into your ancestry. Expect this process to take several months depending on the complexity of your family tree. Once the investigation is complete, you'll get a CDIB in the mail at the address you provided on your application.
- Once the BIA receives your application and supporting documents, it will initiate an investigation into your ancestry.
- Expect this process to take several months depending on the complexity of your family tree.
- Once the investigation is complete, you'll get a CDIB in the mail at the address you provided on your application.
- Once the BIA receives your application and supporting documents, it will initiate an investigation into your ancestry.
- Expect this process to take several months depending on the complexity of your family tree.
Part
3
Obtaining Tribal Citizenship
1
Search the tribal leaders directory.
The tribal leaders directory, maintained by the BIA, provides contact information for the leadership of each of the federally recognized tribes. Scroll the list for the tribe that your ancestor was a member of to find the information you need.
- The tribal leaders directory, maintained by the BIA, provides contact information for the leadership of each of the federally recognized tribes.
- Scroll the list for the tribe that your ancestor was a member of to find the information you need.
- The tribal leaders directory, maintained by the BIA, provides contact information for the leadership of each of the federally recognized tribes.
- Scroll the list for the tribe that your ancestor was a member of to find the information you need.
- The tribal leaders directory, maintained by the BIA, provides contact information for the leadership of each of the federally recognized tribes.
2
Contact the tribe to find out citizenship requirements.
The federal government doesn't regulate citizenship requirements for the tribes. While some tribes only require the ancestry information contained in your CDIB application, others require additional work with the tribe or knowledge of tribal customs and rituals.
- The federal government doesn't regulate citizenship requirements for the tribes.
- While some tribes only require the ancestry information contained in your CDIB application, others require additional work with the tribe or knowledge of tribal customs and rituals.
- The federal government doesn't regulate citizenship requirements for the tribes.
- While some tribes only require the ancestry information contained in your CDIB application, others require additional work with the tribe or knowledge of tribal customs and rituals.
- The federal government doesn't regulate citizenship requirements for the tribes.
3
Complete a membership application.
Each tribe has its own application process, which typically begins with an application similar to the one you filled out to get your CDIB. However, depending on the citizenship requirements, you may have to provide additional information. Applications are typically available online or you can call the tribal leadership office and request a paper application in the mail.
- Each tribe has its own application process, which typically begins with an application similar to the one you filled out to get your CDIB.
- However, depending on the citizenship requirements, you may have to provide additional information.
- Applications are typically available online or you can call the tribal leadership office and request a paper application in the mail.
- Each tribe has its own application process, which typically begins with an application similar to the one you filled out to get your CDIB.
- However, depending on the citizenship requirements, you may have to provide additional information.
4
Provide documents to support your application.
Just as you did with your CDIB application, you'll need birth and death certificates for each of the ancestors you listed on your application. You may also need marriage certificates or adoption orders. The tribal citizenship application will have a list of documents you're required to provide.
- Just as you did with your CDIB application, you'll need birth and death certificates for each of the ancestors you listed on your application.
- You may also need marriage certificates or adoption orders.
- The tribal citizenship application will have a list of documents you're required to provide.
- Just as you did with your CDIB application, you'll need birth and death certificates for each of the ancestors you listed on your application.
- You may also need marriage certificates or adoption orders.
5
Submit your application to tribal leadership.
Once you've completed your application and gathered your supporting documents, mail the entire package to the address listed in the tribal leadership directory. Before you mail it, make a copy of everything for your records.
- Once you've completed your application and gathered your supporting documents, mail the entire package to the address listed in the tribal leadership directory.
- Before you mail it, make a copy of everything for your records.
- Once you've completed your application and gathered your supporting documents, mail the entire package to the address listed in the tribal leadership directory.
- Before you mail it, make a copy of everything for your records.
- Once you've completed your application and gathered your supporting documents, mail the entire package to the address listed in the tribal leadership directory.
6
Wait for the tribe's decision on your application.
Each tribe has its own process for reviewing and considering applications for citizenship. Typically, the tribe conducts its own investigation into your lineage, then the tribal leadership votes on whether to accept your citizenship.
- Each tribe has its own process for reviewing and considering applications for citizenship.
- Typically, the tribe conducts its own investigation into your lineage, then the tribal leadership votes on whether to accept your citizenship.
- Each tribe has its own process for reviewing and considering applications for citizenship.
- Typically, the tribe conducts its own investigation into your lineage, then the tribal leadership votes on whether to accept your citizenship.
- Each tribe has its own process for reviewing and considering applications for citizenship.
Community Q&A
Q Is a DNA test enough to get tribal citizenship?
A Generally, no. Most tribes require documented genealogical proof (birth certificates and one's ancestor appearing on an official roll) rather than genetic markers.
Q What is the difference between a CDIB and tribal citizenship?
A A CDIB is a federal document from the BIA certifying your blood quantum. Tribal citizenship is a legal status granted by a sovereign tribal nation, which may have different requirements than the BIA.
References
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