Scattered Histories Make Native American Genealogy Difficult
Perhaps one of the most challenging searches for ancestry information is trying to conduct Native American genealogy research. As many tribes were nomadic and many more unsettled due to the expansion of non-Native Americans pushing westward into the country, many were dispersed in many different territories different times. Even many of the population lists compiled are not necessarily beneficial for Native American genealogy purposes. As the tribes may have joined with others or divided over land and hunting issues, relationships between the different people was often cloudy, at best.
When treaties were signed between the new colonists and Native Americans, genealogy became even more disrupted. During the compilation of the so-called final populace lists, most between 1898 and 1914, many people may have not been living in the area at the time and were left off the roles. According to many, the five main tribes recognized by the Dawes Act, were listed and added to the roles by different criteria, including the pureness of their Indian bloodline.
Findings Of Native Bloodline Sometimes Accidental
As people start to research their heritage, they will start with what information about their ancestors is known and can be verified. Often times during their search they may be stonewalled when records of their past have been destroyed, or not kept at all. Often during the search of Native American genealogy it can be indicated that there may be native blood in the family, but in most of the lists compiled by the government if the researcher doe not know where their ancestors lived, the lists will serve no purpose.
With numerous tribes speaking different languages and some migrating to the same areas of the country, Native American genealogy sometimes reveals mixed tribes with different bloodlines represented. As research continues some present day Native Americans are requiring the use of DNA testing of people of questionable Indian heritage who are attempting to join a tribe without documented evidence of their ancestry.
Why Indian Heritage Becoming An Issue
For some people, being part of Native American genealogy is the matter of understanding how their ancestors were impacted by the many treaties signed with the United States and to confirm their ancestral heritage. Others however, may have less altruistic motives in hoping to take advantage of certain benefits afforded to those who can prove their Native American genealogy. However, today's tough standards of proof of ancestry are helping to protect the integrity of the Native American roles.
