HOW DO I TRACE MY NATIVE AMERICAN ANCESTRY?

Tracing your Native American ancestry requires that you do basic genealogical research to obtain information - the names of your Native American ancestors; dates of birth, marriages and death; places where they lived; their brothers and sisters and, very importantly, their tribal affiliations.  Talk with older relatives, check family bibles, wills and other documents to obtain as much information as possible.  Then, to verify that your ancestors are on official tribal rolls or censuses, contact the:


National Archives and Records Administration (NARA),
Natural Resources Branch, Civil Archives Division,
8th and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20408.

You may also receive assistance by contacting:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
Branch of Tribal Enrollment
19th and C Streets N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20240

Portland Area Bureau of Indian Affairs
911 NE 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232-4169
503/231-6702
 
 

HOW DO I BECOME THE MEMBER OF A TRIBE?

To become a tribal member, you must meet the criteria established by the tribe from which your Indian blood is derived.  The requirements vary from tribe to tribe.  Generally, if your Indian ancestry is far removed from a person enrolled as a tribal member, you will not qualify for membership.  The particular tribe of your Indian ancestors determines whether you are eligible for membership.

National Archives Links

 NARA Homepage
 NARA Archival Information Locator
 Government Information Locator Service Database
 
 


Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians


1827 NE 44th Ave., Suite 130
Portland, Oregon 97213
503/249-5770 Fax 503/249-5773
Website: http://www.atnitribes.org

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