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    • Main contributor: Jason Felihkatubbe
    Cherokee Delegation to England, 1730.
    Cherokee Delegation to England, 1730.

    The Cherokee people are an Iroquoian people who, according to tradition, migrated south from the Great Lakes region where the occupied parts of present-day North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee[1]. They first came into contact with Europeans in 1540 with the exploration of Hernando de Soto[2]. Trade and intermarriage with Europeans, most notably the English, Scots, and Irish followed[3]. Treaties were formed with the British as early as 1684[4]. This was the beginning of many treaties and the movement of the Cherokee. As early as the mid-to late-1700s some began moving into what would become Arkansas Territory[5] before giving up this territory for land in what was to become Indian Territory in 1828[6]. The main body of Cherokee were not removed to Indian Territory until 1838 after the passage of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835[7]. Not all would be removed, as some hid, some had obtained land as part of previous treaties, and still some even returned from Indian Territory[8]. These groups would united and reorganize later on[9].

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    The Cherokee today

    Today there are three federally-recognized tribes of Cherokee people: The Cherokee Nation, The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.

    The Cherokee Nation

    Flag of The Cherokee Nation.
    Flag of The Cherokee Nation.

    The Cherokee Nation is the largest of the three federally-recognized tribes of Cherokee with a population of over 450,000 citizens, with over 141,000 of those citizens residing within the tribe's reservation boundaries[10]. In order to be eligible for citizenship, one must be descended from an individual on the 1907 Final Dawes Roll[11]. There is no blood quantum requirement.

    Mailing Address: PO Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465

    The Cherokee Nation does NOT have a genealogy department or offer genealogical assistance. The Cherokee National Research Center has a dedicated staff that will assist you with your genealogical needs.

    The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

    Flag of The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
    Flag of The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are located in Cherokee, North Carolina within the boundaries of the Qualla Boundary, also known as the Cherokee Indian Reservation[12]. The current population is over 14,000 citizens[13]. According to Cherokee Code, Chapter 49, Enrollment, individuals must be descended from an individual on the 1924 Baker Roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and must be at least 1/16 Eastern Cherokee Blood[14].

    Mailing Address: PO Box 2069, Cherokee, NC 28719

    The Enrollment Office provides a Cherokee genealogy research service, searching records prior to the 1924 Baker Roll. Contact information above.

    To have the 1924 Baker Rolls searched by the Tribal Enrollment Office, fill out the form and mail to the above address.

    The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

    Seal of The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.
    Seal of The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.

    The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians are based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and there are over 14,000 citizens. In order to be eligible for enrollment one must prove descent from an individual listed on the 1949 United Keetoowah Band Base Roll or on the 1907 Final Dawes Roll and be at least 1/4 Keetoowah Cherokee[15].

    Mailing Address: PO Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465

    They do NOT have a genealogy department or offer genealogical assistance.

    1907 Final Dawes Roll

    On 08 Feb 1887, Congress passed the Dawes General Allotment Act, or the Dawes Severalty Act [16], named for Senator Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, who was charged with overseeing the process[17]. The act signed into law by President Grover Cleveland was designed to remove lands from tribes and divide them into individual portions, allotments, with any remaining land to be sold at the Federal government's discretion[18]. The Act did not pertain to the Five Tribes- Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole. That changed in 1893 when Dawes was charged with the formation of the Dawes Commission to persuade the leaders of the Five Tribes to follow suit. Frustrated with progress, Congress granted the Commission additional powers un the Curtis Act of 1898 which led to the enrollment applications of over 250,000 individuals, approving over 101, 000 of those names[19].

    The final rolls contact the name, age, sex, degree of Indian blood, and roll and census card numbers of each person. The census cards in turn provide the postal address, the name of the applicant, along with everyone else in the household and their relationship to them, their ages, sexes, degree of Indian blood, parents' names (if known) and residence (if known). Oftentimes, though not always, the enrollment card will have notations at the bottom that contain information about additional marriages, marriages of children, births of children/grandchildren, notations about names, and deaths of those listed in on the enrollment card. These cards were part of packets that could include additional information in addition to the notations, though not always, which might be interviews with the applicant, their family members, and/or neighbors, birth/death/marriage affidavits and/or licenses, and correspondences between the Indian agency and the family. In addition there are land jackets which provide additional information about the individual's allotment(s). They sometimes include additional information about the family with regard to probate in determining heirship.

    The rolls can be viewed for free at the National Archives, though they are not searchable. The Oklahoma Historical Society does maintain a searchable database that provides the applicant's name, age, sex, blood quantum, tribe, and roll and census card numbers.

    1924 Baker Roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

    On 04 Jun 1924 an act of Congress (43 Stat. 376) established the Eastern Cherokee Enrolling Commission tasked with determining the membership of the Eastern Band of Cherokees and put their lands into Federal trust. Fred A. Baker was an Indian agent who oversaw the commission and finalized the roll. Previous rolls used to compile this roll were the 1909 Guion Miller Roll, 1908 Churchill Roll, 1907 Council Roll, 1884 Hester Roll, 1851 Chapman Roll, and the 1835 Census of Cherokees Living East of the Mississippi River. The roll can include deceased individuals. Information on the applications include the applicant's name (Maiden Name, if applicable), age, degree of Indian blood, name of ancestor(s) and relationship from whom claiming descent, degree of Indian blood, and residence of mother and father, names of children, spouse's name and degree of Indian blood, residences, and any remarks[20].

    You can search the roll for free at All Things Cherokee, which provides the name, roll number, sex, age, date of birth, blood quantum, family number, relation to head of household, and notes.

    1949 United Keetoowah Band Base Roll

    The 1949 United Keetoowah Band Base Roll was approved 19 April 1949 by the Executive Committee of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians[21]. It was in turn certified by the Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes Agency, 16 Nov 1949[22]. The roll was amended to include additional names, 26 April 1963 upon the submission of Rachel Quinton to the Bureau of Indian Affairs- Muskogee Area Office[23].

    The roll contains the name of the individual, their age, degree of Indian blood, and their location (state was included if they resided outside the area)[24]. An alphabetized copy of the roll can be found at 1949 Base Roll and a searchable list can be found at All Things Cherokee.

    Other rolls

    • 1817- Reservation Roll: A listing of those who desired a 640-acre tract of land to each head of household residing east of the Mississippi per the Treaty of 1817[25]. A transcription of this roll exists at the TNGenWeb Project. The roll lists the name of the head of household, the number in the family, and notes regarding their land.
    • 1817-1835- Emigration Roll: A listing of those Cherokees who desired to exchange their land in the East for land in Arkansas Territory. In 1828, those lands were exchanged for lands in Indian Territory[26].These can be viewed at the National Archives (Film #595427). A transcription is also available, Baker, Jack D. Cherokee Emigration Rolls, 1817-1838, Baker Publishing Co., OKC, 1977. (Check WorldCatfor locations.).
    • 1835- Henderson Roll: A listing of Eastern Cherokees that was taken prior to the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears took place in different stages therefore some of these individuals may have died prior to ever being forced off of their lands. The census included Indians, identified as anyone with at least 1/4 blood quantum, and Whites. Only heads of household are listed, their residence, sex, number of slaves owned, if any, and agricultural information. FamilySearch has a transcribed copy of the roll.
    • 1848- Mullay Roll: John Mullay was ordered to identify those Cherokees left behind residing in the state of North Carolina. It is based upon work that had been started by William Holland Thomas in 1840. This roll only lists the name and age of the head of household along with the name and age of each individual member of that household. There are additional remarks made on some individuals, but not all. An electronic version may be viewed at the National Archives. (Note this roll is not indexed or searchable.)
    • 1851- Old Settler Roll:This is a listing of the "Old Settlers," those Cherokees who relocated to what was to become Oklahoma prior to the Treaty of 1835 and were still living there in 1851. This roll lists simply the names of the individuals. An electronic, searchable version can be found at Access Genealogy.
    • 1851- Siler Roll: David Siler was tasked with identifying those Cherokees living east of the Mississippi who were eligible for a per capita payment pursuant to an Act of Congress in 1850. There were a number of Cherokee left off this roll that were still residing in North Carolina. Also, there is a list at the end of the roll of Cherokees whose citizenship had been disputed. The roll includes the name of the individual, age, sex, race, and relationship to the head of household. There is a column for remarks, if any were made. This roll can be viewed electronically at the National Archives. (Note this roll is not indexed or searchable.)
    • 1852- Chapman Roll: Alfred Chapman prepared this list of Eastern Cherokees who were paid a per capita payment. The roll includes the name of the individual, age, relationship, and any notes. An electronic version of the Chapman Roll can be found at TNGenWeb Project.
    • 1852- Drennen Roll: The Drennon Roll contains the names of 14, 094 individuals who has been removed to Oklahoma. The roll is organized by household and contains the names of each individual, the total number of individuals in each household, and the amount each household was paid. This roll can be searched at Access Genealogy.
    • 1854 Act of Congress Roll: This roll lists the names of 88 individuals who were originally omitted from the Siler Roll. Lists the name, relation, age, residence, and amount received. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Roll # 12 of Microfilm # M-685).
    • 1867- Powell Roll: Compiled by Dr. R. J. Powell, the roll identified those Cherokees residing in North Carolina who were due per capita and interest payments for the period 1855-1866. It is organized by roll number and includes the name of each individual, amount due, relation, and any remarks. The roll can viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # A-29).
    • 1867- Thompkins Roll: This was compiled by H. Thompkins and was the result of the twelfth article of the Treaty of 19 July 1866. The roll is the first post-Civil War census of Cherokees west of the Mississippi. There are 13, 566 individuals listed. They are listed by district, not by name, and the roll is not indexed. (Caution: Some districts took down the Cherokee names and others took down the English names!) This roll contains the name of the individual, age, sex, and race. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # 7RA04-1 - 7RA04-4).
    • 1869- Swetland Roll: This roll was prepared by S. H. Swetland and listed Cherokee and their descendants who were still residing in North Carolina in 1848 when Mullay compiled his census. The purpose was to pay out interest on per capita payment tied to the Mullay Roll. The roll contains information about the name, age, and sex of each individual. In addition, it asks questions pertaining to real estate and livestock owned, whether the individual could read or write, and had a column for remarks that include the roll numbers from the Mullay Roll of 1848. This roll can be viewed on FamilySearch.org (Film # 1017225039).
    • 1880- Cherokee Census of 1880: This census was compiled to identify those persons entitled to a per capita payment. In total there are six schedules which include Cherokee citizens, Adopted Whites, Shawnees, Delawares, Freedman, and Orphans. This census was used by the Dawes Commission to verify citizenship. It includes a wealth of information including names of everyone in the household, their ages, sexes, occupations. It asks whether they can read or write alongside questions with regard to improvements and real estate. This census can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # 7RA-07), online, but not indexed or searchable, at a FamilySearch History Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library. There is a partial, searchable index at Access Genealogy.
    • 1880-Lipe Roll: The Lipe roll is a receipt of the individuals who received a per capita payment as listed in the Cherokee Census of 1880. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives- Ft. Worth (Microfilm # 7RA33).
    • 1881- Roll of North Carolina Cherokees: This includes a list of Cherokees from North Carolina who had relocated to the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory. The roll contains the names (both English and Cherokee) of everyone in the household, their age, their sex, and their clan. This roll is viewable online at TNGenWeb Project.
    • 1883- Cherokee Census of 1883: This was used to identify Cherokees eligible for a per capita payment from the leasing of land to the Cherokee Strip Livestock Association. The roll lists the name and age of each person. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # 7RA56).
    • 1883 - Hester Roll: This roll was prepared by Joseph Hester of the Eastern Cherokees. This roll uses the Chapman Roll numbers and includes information on both the English and Cherokee names, ages, and information about ancestry. Hester was required to account for all Cherokees that had been listed on the previous roll, so those who had passed will have information pertaining to their deaths and for those who cannot be located they are listed as simply "whereabouts unknown." The roll does include the names of some Cherokee who were living west of the Mississippi, who were descendants of the Eastern Cherokees and were not affiliated with any of the other Cherokee tribes. An index can be found on Access Genealogy. The full census can be viewed online at a Family SearchHistory Center or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
    • 1886- Cherokee Census of 1886: Census was created to identify the names of individuals who received a per capita payment in 1886. The census includes the names of all household members, their ages, and relationships. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # 7RA-58).
    • 1890- Cherokee Nation Census: This is similar to the 1880 Cherokee Census. It includes the names of all individuals in the household, their age, sex, marital status, whether they could read or write, and occupation. It includes questions about real estate and agriculture. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm #7RA-08).
    • 1890-1893- Wallace Roll: This roll identifies Cherokee Freedmen who were entitled to a per capita payment in 1888. This provides the name, and in some instances the maiden name for women, age, sex, which district they were living in, and some contain additional remarks.
    • 1893- Cherokee Census of 1893: This census was taken to identify those eligible for a per capita payment for funds received from the sale of the Cherokee Strip. This census is arranged by district with all members of the household listed, including their age and sex. It identifies those who are Cherokee, adopted Whites, Freedmen, Shawnee, Delaware, and Creek Indians. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Ft. Worth (Microfilm # 7RA-54).
    • 1894- Starr Roll: Whereas the Cherokee Census of 1893 identified those eligible for a per capita payment, the Starr Roll identified those who received the per capita payment. The same information is listed with the signature of the person receiving payment for the family being added. This roll can be viewed at the National Archives in Ft. Worth (Microfilm # 7RA-38).
    • 1896- Cherokee Census of 1896: Identifies all Cherokee citizens providing name, age, and sex. It includes blood quantum, a spot to list the place of birth of enrollees, and the number of miles from the voting precinct. This roll includes information on those identified as Adopted Whites, Orphans, Asylum Inmates, Colored, Doubtful Citizens, Rejected Persons, Shawnee, and Delawares. The roll can be viewed at the National Archives (Microfilm # 7RA-19).
    • 1896- Clifton Roll: This roll pertains to the Freedmen. The goal of the Clifton Roll was to correct discrepancies with and to add those who had been omitted from the Wallace Roll. The roll includes each individual's names, relationship within the household, sex, age, and district of residence. This roll can be viewed online at the National Archives, but it is not searchable or indexed. A searchable roll can be found at Access Genealogy.
    • 1908- Churchill Roll: The roll was created as a tool to verify the Cherokeeness of individuals who identified as Cherokee and belonged to the Eastern Band of Cherokees. This roll contains both the Cherokee and English name of each individual, their relationship to the head of household, age, sex, marital status, and blood quantum. There is a section that identifies which number the individuals' parents are on the Churchill Roll. Included is a remarks column. Not every person has remarks added to their name and the remarks vary greatly in content ranging from identifying an individual's occupation, or former occupation, to being identified as someone who lives alone or as a "cripple," to listing such things as parents' names and the dates of birth or marriage of individuals.
    • 1909- Guion Miller Roll: This roll was created as a result of a lawsuit filed against the United States government for treaty violations. It only pertains to those individuals who were citizens of or descendants of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. The individuals who applied lived all over the United States and the roll includes both those who had been accepted and rejected. The applications contain a wealth of genealogical information about the applicant and their family. These can be viewed online at the National Archives, but not searched although they do have an index online.

    Additional records

    1860 United States Census, State of Arkansas: The 1860 census for Arkansas included a section called "Indian Lands" which surveyed the lands west of Arkansas which became known as the lands of the Five Tribes- Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole. The census was supposed to only survey United States citizens who were living on tribal lands either because they were there legally with a permit or had intermarried into the tribe[27]. There are some Indians listed on this census, however, they may not be listed as "Indian," but "Mulatto" instead. They may have been mixed or in some instances removed well after the Trail of Tears, opting to stay behind, but renouncing tribal citizenship, originally.

    The National Archives in Ft. Worth has the following microfilms[28]:

    • 1822- Plots and Surveys of Cherokee Reservations by Robert Armstrong, Surveyor. (Microfilm # A22).
    • 1836- Cherokee Tennessee and Georgia Valuations. (Microfilm # A18).
    • 1838- Cherokee Spoliation Decisions. (Microfilm # A17).
    • 1846-1847- Cherokee Fourth Board Minutes. (Microfilm # A19).
    • 1851-1905- Selected Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs relating to the Cherokees of North Carolina. (Microfilm # M1059)
    • 1881-1882- Cherokee Students. (Microfilm # 7RA91)
    • 1892-1906- Cherokees in the Cherokee Outlet. (Microfilm # 7RA262).
    • 1896- Index and Dockets A-C of 1896 Citizenship Cases (Microfilm # 7RA70).
    • 1897-Northern District Citizenship Case Files. (Microfilm #7RA388).
    • 1897-1899- Decisions of the US Courts. (Microfilm #7RA98).
    • 1897-1913- Index to Letters Received by the Commission to the 5 Civilized Tribes. (Microfilm # M1314).
    • 1902- Payroll of Destitute Cherokees. (Microfilm #7RA80).

    See also

    Explore more about Cherokee genealogy

    References

    1. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/liri/learn/historyculture/cherokee-people.htm
    2. ↑ https://www.cherokee.org/about-the-nation/history/
    3. ↑ https://www.cherokee.org/about-the-nation/history/
    4. ↑ https://www.northerncherokeenation.com/the-colonial-period-iii.html
    5. ↑ https://www.arkansas.com/native-american-history-heritage/history/cherokee#:~:text=Members%20of%20the%20Cherokee%20tribe,northeastern%20Alabama%2C%20and%20northeastern%20Tennessee.
    6. ↑ http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm#:~:text=Treaty%20of%20Washington,the%20justification%20of%20mass%20removal.
    7. ↑ http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm#:~:text=Treaty%20of%20Washington,the%20justification%20of%20mass%20removal.
    8. ↑ https://visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/
    9. ↑ https://visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/
    10. ↑ https://census.cherokee.org/
    11. ↑ https://ebci.com/enrollment/
    12. ↑ https://ebci.com/government/
    13. ↑ https://visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/
    14. ↑ https://ebci.com/enrollment/
    15. ↑ https://www.ukb-nsn.gov/membership
    16. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dawes-General-Allotment-Act
    17. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dawes-General-Allotment-Act
    18. ↑ https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/dawes-act
    19. ↑ https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DA018
    20. ↑ https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/rolls/baker-roll.html#:~:text=An%20act%20of%20Congress%20of%20June%204%2C%201924,to%20place%20its%20tribal%20lands%20into%20Federal%20trust.
    21. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba553b0797f74343ba14b80/t/5d59955d0ef9d80001965035/1566152036483/1949+Base+Roll.pdf
    22. ↑ https://www.ukb-nsn.gov/constitution-and-by-laws
    23. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba553b0797f74343ba14b80/t/5d59955d0ef9d80001965035/1566152036483/1949+Base+Roll.pdf
    24. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba553b0797f74343ba14b80/t/5d59955d0ef9d80001965035/1566152036483/1949+Base+Roll.pdf
    25. ↑ https://www.tngenweb.org/cessions/18170708.html#8
    26. ↑ https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll27/id/2107
    27. ↑ https://okgenweb.net/~okgarvin/kinard/1860index.htm
    28. ↑ https://www.archives.gov/fort-worth/finding-aids/native-american-microfilm.html
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