My great, great grandmother was cherokee indian, orignally from NC, who later moved to TN. How do i prove?

Question

my heritage of cherokee blood line, without having to pay for being from the cherokee trail of tears? I would like to apply for my approval of the eastern cherokee indian rights, and as a native cherokee indian.

My family also has one of my great great grandmothers braids that was cut before she was buried. We also have her glasses. Will this be of help?

Answer 1

It's very difficult due to the way things were recorded at the time. It may be impossible. The Cherokee bloodline is extremely prevalent in people of Southern descent. In my own case, proof came about through genetic tests when the sickle cell trait was discovered in a member of my extended family. We had all known that our grandmother was 1/2 Cherokee. What we didn't know was the the Cherokee people would often adopt slaves (both black and white), that they had captured, into their tribes after a time. The Cherokee bloodline is extremely diverse.

So my suggestion is to go ahead and do the genetic testing. It may be helpful for any health issues down the road too.

Answer 2

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians based in North Carolina is the only federally recognized Cherokee tribe east of the Mississippi. In order to qualify for citizenship, you must be 1/16 or more Eastern Band Cherokee by blood AND be a lineal descendant of a person listed on the Baker Roll.

If you meet these two requirements, you can request, complete and submit an application for enrollment to the Eastern Band of Cherokee. There website is http://www.cherokee-nc.com/

If you do not meet those requirements, you are like many others who may have American Indian ancestry but do not qualify for tribal citizenship. If your ancestors relenquished their citizenship, as a result they have eliminated any future prospects of tribal citizenship for all of their descendants.

Answer 3

TRIBAL ENROLLMENT
Many people want to know about becoming a Tribal Member based on a relative being Cherokee or of Cherokee descent. Enrollment in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is governed by tribal ordinance 284 dated June 24, 1996 and restricts enrollment to the following:

Direct lineal ancestor must appear on the 1924 Baker Roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. (Note: The Baker Roll is the base roll of the Eastern Cherokee and contains the name, birth date, Eastern Cherokee Blood quantum and roll number of the base enrollees.
Blood Quantum: must possess at least 1/16th degree of
Eastern Cherokee blood.

All criteria must be met in order to be eligible with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Enrollment is CLOSED to all people who cannot meet the above requirements.

GENEALOGY -
This is a very complex subject because the Cherokee Nation once encompassed parts of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, western West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina, northern Alabama, northwestern South Carolina and northern Georgia. The issue is further complicated by the infamous removal of the Cherokee to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s. During the 1800s and 1900s, there was much inter-marrying between Cherokee and non-Indian settlers which makes the genealogy research process even more difficult. Some Cherokee desired to retain their Native American lineage and others did not. The US Government conducted several censuses of the Cherokee both on a pre and post-removal basis.

These rolls are printed in two publications called Cherokee Roots Viol. 1 (Eastern Cherokee) and Vol. 2 (Western Cherokee). They can be purchased from Cherokee Roots, P.O. Box 525, Cherokee, NC 28719. Vol. 1 costs $15.00 and Vol. 2 is $22.00. Both books can be purchased for $30.00. The company also has a research service available on a cost basis.

Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has nearly 12,000 enrolled members and the Western Cherokee's rolls contain over 170,000 names. While some genealogy records exist for the tribal members, it is nearly impossible to trace genealogy based on a single name which does not appear as part of tribal records.

The following provide genealogy services and/or research assistance:

Cherokee Roots (address/phone# listed above).

Cherokee Qualla Public Library, Aquoni Rd, Cherokee NC 28719 (The library provides Tribal Enrollment records on microfilm. This services is free of charge and must be conducted on site. A name and date of birth is needed. The library staff is available to provide limited assistance. Open 8am - 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday),

We also suggest another web site loaded with research and genealogy connections: http://www.nativeweb.org

While we understand and appreciate the desire of many, many people to conduct genealogy research, the tribe simply doesn't have the resources to provide extensive research on an individual basis.

Answer 4

Every Native American was numbered...yes like the jews were. You can find the place of your grandmothers birth and see if it is in public record. Or go to the reservation she may have been "listed" to and try there. There will be a lot of digging and searching if it isn't on record. Good Luck!

Answer 5

my grandmother and my great grandfather were Indians.

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS-Cherokee Indian Ancestry told me i have to show some proof, but i am unable to do that. lol.

good luck!

Answer 6

I believe your mother would have to be 1/2 Cherokee for you to be a tribal member.

Answer 7

Good luck, they are known as "the grandmother tribe" because of so many claims.

Answer 8

Join the club...EVERYBODY seems to have a "Cherokee great-grandmother."

Notice how it's NEVER a great-grandFATHER?

Answer 9

I'm curious to see what answers and help you get. In my family, too, we know there is a history, but are unable to prove it without testing. We believe ours to be Sioux.

Answer 10

Genetic Testing.

Best of luck!