how do i trace ancestrial background for native indian benefits?

Answer 1

Hey C H,

Your question has 2 parts that can be seperated slightly, but they overlap. Trace your ancestrial background is one, and proving your ancestrial background for native indian benefits is another.

First, for your ancestrial background, start with all the records you can gather about your birth, your parents, their parents, as far as you can go back. Organize these records, and look for the missing information - make a list of what you need to know. Then interview all your living relatives, including uncles, cousins looking for any information that they might have.

For the missing information, get VITAL RECORDS (birth, death, marriage, wills, probate, etc). Then you can begin to prove your ancestrial background.

Now you can start checking the Dawes register and other Native american sites (you did not say what tribe, so my web sites include many). Once you can prove your heritage, then you can apply for the benefits for what ever percentage you have.

For Vital records, go to your local government, town, city, Reservation, etc. first, then go to the state. That will save money (records can get expensive). Your birth record ties you to your parents. Theirs, ties them to their parents. These are legal documents.

Answer 2

Rustskipper already gave you any info I have except that if the tribe you are researching is one of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma, do not waste money of any vital records at a county level, they will only except records (Birth, death, etc)from the State Office of Vital Statistics.