Researching an individual or Native family member

Holiday, Michelle Dawn

Researching an Individual or Family

https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/research-individual?fbclid=IwAR0wmbGhn1WzFm-L5QwKW4o-RwOZUeXOoQ2lv7SU7MN265WHtYKN2a45OMI

Researching an Individual or Family Federal documents related to American Indians at the National Archives can include information about tribal members, federal officials, Indian agents, military personnel, teachers, nurses, and laborers. Some records may even reference a person who was involved in Indian affairs because of his/her geographic proximity to a tribe or agency, such as a minister, medical doctor, or social worker. Consider these key questions to help you identify what information you are seeking: Do you know their name(s)? Do you know the tribe of the individual or family?

Yá'át'ééh ( Everything is good) I hope your day is good, My day so far has been wonderful! I have been studying and learning as much as I can about how to get and keep records for my family. While looking I found this site and thought is would be of use to others.

There are so many ideas and links to find family members. If you are just beginning your family history, remember to start with the basics. It can be overwhelming to try jump to elder ancestors before recording the present. Start with you immediate family and work your way to more difficult challenges. As I began thinking about my native family I got so caught up. Much of my husbands family is well known and their stories aren't lost yet. He is Dine' from Monument Valley Utah. His family came from an area that fought the calvary and were eventually left in their original area. (They did not go on the long walk but they gave aid to others that did.) They never signed treaties with the government. They have their own independence day celebration each year! How great is that! It is amazing to hear their stories of bravery and courage. Stories of people who made a difference for all the people who still reside here and across the Navajo Nation. The problem is so much is only recorded in history books or by Scholars. The rest is orally passed down from generation to generation. Many times the stories are not exactly the same as the history books. This is why I am so excited to learn and begin to keep the stories for our kids and their kids and their kids and hopefully forever! I love this group because it connects all North American Native nations to each other. It is a place where we can share our triumphs and stories and our excitement as we help each other find Ancestors, history, and stories that do have the potential to be lost. How amazing is it to connect the stories of all First Nations in North America. Please share you stories and ask lots of questions. I will do my best to help answer them. If I can't I will try to find someone who can. This is an exciting time when we can connect to each other and to the archives that have existed since record keeping began on this continent.