How do I find out more about my Sioux Indian Heritage?

Question

Ok. here's the deal. I am in the process of adopting a little boy (16mon) I've already adopted his older 2 brothers, however right before his paperwork was sent to our lawyer we hit a roadblock. In his file they found out that he has a Sioux Indian blood line in his bfamily. Our CW said that b/c we don't know the blood quantum and that it could cause issues down the road that we HAVE to get permission from the tribe before we go any further. Ok, fine, I'm cool w/ that, it just may take a bit longer than we had anticipated. However, as I was talking w/ my dad about why my son's adoption was put on hold, my dad brings up the fact that my grandfather is 3/4 Sioux. Which makes me Sioux as well. I NEVER knew that! Now I'm curious and want to know more! My dad didn't have many answers for me and since my granddad is very old now he is unable to answer my questions. How do I find out more about my new heritage?

Answer 1

Real quick begin getting down all you can of full names, dates and places of births marriages and deaths (as applicable) of your parents and grandparents at least, more if anyone knows more. Order genealogy copies of the documents for each, that will give one more generation back.

Tip - it's usually faster to get those through the county/ies involved. Use mapquest.com to find out what county, rootsweb or usgennet to get addresses to order them from.

Get it all entered onto genealogy software for organization. Check with the Lakota tribal rolls for your grandparents and when you know who they were, great grandparents. This stuff may (or may not?) assist with any bumps in the adoption process. If your grandfather's 3/4, one parent was full the other half; your father is 3/8 and you're 3/16.

Answer 2

The WEB's Most Extensive Free Resources on the Sioux Indian Nation (Dakotas) ... Weekly | Map of Custer's Last Stand | Sioux Indian Pictures ...

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/union-generals/sioux-indians/sioux-indians.htm

Also: http://www.ancestry.com/ has the

U.S. Indian Census Schedules, 1885-1940 on line now.

Search the names before you pay!

Answer 3

Find out if you grandfather carried a tribal card, or is listed in the census records for the tribe.

My ancestors are Eastern Cherokee and our names are on certain tribal rolls done by the US Census. Try contacting the Lakota Tribal Council and find out what the admission requirements are and whether your grandfather is already listed.

Good luck.

Answer 4

the sioux are plains indians and the name sioux was given to them by the french, and is a dirogatory name. Most Sioux call them selves Lakota which means friendly people. I know this because i worked in Pineridge Reservation last summer in South Dakota. Its a very large res and there should be plenty of info about it.

Answer 5

If grandpa is still living, one thing he can hopefully still tell you are the names of his parents (siblings), and perhaps his own granparents. In order to be 3/4th, that works to one parent is full and the other is half.
Thus, you need to identify them, and locate any possible records relating to them (census, death certificate, possible records of their siblings) that MAY support the lineage.
Each tribe has different requirements. Once you have some specifics, get in touch with the tribe itself.
One thing in your favor is that it would be hard to separate siblings.

Answer 6

There are websites for each tribe. Also ask oldest relatives info on your relative that was native, pictures often show cultural features.

Answer 7

I would talk with someone from the tribe about this as well; if you can possibly talk with your grandfather, or one of his siblings (if he has any) then I would do so.

Good luck!