Primary Source National Archives Record Service (NARS) Tracing your family history can be especially difficult if you are trying to locate Native American Indian ancestors. There are several types of records at the National Archives, Washington, DC which might be applicable to your research.

Primary Source Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)  Most records in the National Archives Record Service (NARS) about Native American Indians are in the Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Record Group 75.

Second Source Third Party Reference Books  Their are a lot of Third-Party Reference books, that have the various Roll's indexed with Names, Year, Reel's, Pages etc. Use these to find your ancestor and go to the "Orginal" source to get copies of pages.

Rolls sorted by date. ..prs 1817, Reservation Rolls   1817, Emigration Rolls   1835, Henderson Rolls   1848, Mullay Rolls   1851, Drennen   1851, Silar Rolls   1851, Chapman Rolls   1851, Old Settlers   1868, Swetland Rolls   1880, USA Census   1882, Hester Rolls   1885, NAI Census   1898, Dawes Start   1900, USA Census   1907, Dawes Final   1908, Churchill   1909, Miller Rolls   1910, USA Census   1914, Dawes Supp.   1920, USA Census   1924, Baker Rolls   Other, NAI Doc's

1817 ~ Reservation Rolls Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America. 1817 - 1819, 2 Vols. A listing of Cherokee's desiring a 640 acre tract in the East, in lieu of Removing to Arkansas. Upon death of the "Reservee" or the "Abandonment" of the property, Title was to revert to the United States. <--- See: "Turkey Town Treaty of 1817"

Bob's Index gives First & Last Name of "Reservee" [No Doc. #, Page # where found on BIA] <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I, Page 13 to 16]

1817-1835 ~ Emigration Rolls Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America. 1817 - 1838, 18 Vols. East Cherokee's who filed in 1817 to emigrate to Arkansas country and afterwords in 1828 to Oklahoma. These Cherokee became known as the "Old Settlers" after the Eastern Cherokee joined them in 1839.

Bob's Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, Emigraiant Status. [No Doc. #, Page # where found on BIA] <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I, Pages 17 to 25]

1835 ~ NARS Microfilm Publication: (Record Group) RG75-T-496,  1 Roll Census Roll 1835 of Cherokee Indians East of the Mississippi & Index to the Roll. Also called the (The HENDERSON Roll) This Census Rolls may be of use to you as these publications have Census information for Cherokees and their direct descendants who settled in Southern Missouri, between the Aakansas and the White Rivers, or just East of the Mississippi River prior to the <--- Treaty of New Echota, Dec. 29, 1835 This 1835 Census list some 1,959 persons of the Cherokee Nation in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, & North Carolina; With 68 pages, it request information of: Head of families (Indian, half-breeds, quadroons, and whites); residence (State, county, and watercourse); males (under eighteen and over eighteen); females (under sixteen and over sixteen); slaves (male, female, and total slaves); total Cherokees, wives connected by marriage; farms; acres in cultivation; housing; bushels of wheat raised; bushels of corn raised; bushels of wheat sold; for how much; bushels of corn sold; for how much; bushels of corn bought; for how much; mills; ferryboats; farmers over eighteen; merchants over eighteen; readers of English; readers of Cherokee; half-breeds; quadroons; full-blooded; mixed Catawbas; mixed Spaniards; mixed Negroes; weavers; spinsters (operators of spinning wheels; reserves; descendants of reserves; and remarks. The Index is alphabetized, but the actual schedules are very faint. The ink is so faded that it is best read using the Zoom lens the Magnifier type Reader. Even printed copies do not help even when a yellow underliner pen is used. Note that at the top of each schedule page is the County, State and beside each name entry is the township or watercourse in which the tribe member resides. This 1835 Census is the ONLY known Census listing the whole Cherokee Nation East of the Mississippi River [With the exception of the already migrated] Old Settlers Cheokees.

Possible Record Problem!

In <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I., Pg 26 to 38]: Bob's Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, Resident State.  He list Census of over 16,000 Cherokee residing in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to be removed to Oklahoma under the treaty of New Echota (1835), but has only 2,690 names listed!

1848 ~ Mullay Rolls This was the first Census of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, in North Carolina after the General Removal. It was made by John C. MULLAY, a Clerk in the Commissioner of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office, pursuant to an Act of Congress in 1848. MULLAY was instructed to enroll those individuals and families who were in North Carolina at the time of the ratification of the Treaty of New Echota on 23rd May 1836 and who had not removed the the WEST or had not recieved the commutation for removal & subsistance. Children born after the 1836 date were excluded, as were whites who had married a Cherokee after the 1836 date. Cherokees outside North Carolina in 1836 were NOT included although who had died since then were included and their death date given. This Roll includes 1,557 Cherokees and records information by the: Headings of Number, Name, Age, and "Remarks" which generally included Family relationships and Date of Death. Occasionally other Information is given such as "Orphaned", "Cripplied", or "Blind".

Bob's Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, & MULLAY ID.# He list of 1,517 Cherokee [Some 40 short of Original Record] people remaining in North Carolina after the removal of 1838. <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I., Pages 39 to 46]

1851 ~ Drennen Rolls The above MULLAY census was followed by an Annuity Roll taken by John DRENNEN in 1851, and the Emigrant Roll, an enumeration of Eastern Cherokee who moved west after 1835 and were residing in Indian Territory West by 1851.

Bob calls this 1851 Roll 1852 DRENNEN Rolls his Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, & Page # Prepared by Mr. DRENNEN as a listing of the first new arrivalls in the West (OK.) in 1839. The new <--- Echota Treaty Group. "Trail of Tears!" <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. II., Pages 29 to 53]

1851 ~ Silar Rolls On 25 April 1851, the secretary of the Interior appointed Mr. David W. SILAR to take a Census of the Cherokees East of the Mississippi to determine who would be eligible to participate in a per capita payment based on the 1835 Treaty. Mr. SILAR submitted his completed report in October 1851. This census lists 1,959 individuals by state and county in North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The last few pages contain 170 disputed cases. The columns for this roll are: SILAR number, name, age, relationship to "Head of Household", "Sex", "Blood" [Listing "Blood" as "I" for Indian, "W" for White], and "Remarks."

Bob spells "SILAR" as "SILER", his Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, & SILAR ID.# listing of some 1,700 Eastern Cherokess [Some 259 short of Original Record] entitled to a per capita pursuant to an Act of Congress of 1851. <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I., Pages 47 to 62]

1851 ~ Chapman Rolls Alfred CHAPMAN was appointed in 1851 to make a per capita payment to the Eastern Cherokee based upon the census taken by Mr. SILAR. These payments were made in December of 1851 and January of 1852 to 2,134 individuals. This payroll census designates recipients by number, name, the amount received, and the signature of the recipient. The arrangement is similar to that of the  <--- SILAR Roll, in that individuals are listed by family groups and by state and county. This roll played an important part in <--- Mr. Guion MILLER's preparation of his roll completed in 1910. Anyone who could trace his ancestry to an individual listed on the 1851 CHAPMAN Roll was included on the 1910 Guion MILLER Roll.

Bob, use's ending Date & calls this "1852" CHAPMAN Rolls, his Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, & CHAPMAN ID.# <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I, Pages 63 to 72]

1851 ~ Old Settler Census Roll of 1895 NARS Microfilm Publication: (Record Group) RG75, T-985, 2 Rolls  1851 Old Settler Census Roll of 1895 & Index to Payment Roll, 1896 This Census is based on Cherokee who had migrated to the Western Indian Territory Prior to the New Echota Treaty of 1835 This Payroll is based on the 1851 Old Settler Roll and is a major genealogical importance. The names of those still living in 1896 in the Western Indian Territory are listed first, followed by those who had died and their heirs, and each heir's relationship. The Payroll list each Payee's 1851 roll number, name agency pay number, age, sex, amount received, and post office address. A listing of Cherokee still living in 1851 who were already residing in Oklahoma when the main body of the Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839. "Trail of Tears!"

Bob's Index gives Alphabetized by Last Name, First Name, & Family Group. He says this is a list of Cherokee, still libing in 1851, who were alreadt residing in Oklahoma when the main body of Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839 - as a result of the 1835 Treaty of New Echota. Approximately 1/3rd of the Cherokee people ar that time were "Old Settlers" and 2/3rds were new arrivals. <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. II., Pages 13 to 28]

1868 ~ Swetland Rolls By an Act of Congress approved 27 July 1868, S. H. Swetland was appointed to take a census ofthe North Carolina Cherokees. He was instructed to use the <--- MULLAY Roll of 1848 as his basis and to enroll all individuals enrolled by Mr. MULLAY who were still living and the heirs or legal representatives of those deceased. Additionally, he was instructed to take a separate census of all Eastern Cherokees whether they were living in North Carolina or the adjoining states and to appraise the value of their property, farm products, horses, cattle, etc. The census was completed 24 May 1869 and gives families, number, name, age, sex, blood, estate, horses, mules, cows, oxen, cattle, hogs, sheep, wheat, corn, oats, rye, literacy, parents living or dead, and other remarks.

Bob calls this 1869 Rolls, Index gives First & Last Name of Resident, with SWETLAND ID.# <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I, Page 73 to 82]

1880 ~ US Federal Census Rolls NARS Microfilm Publication: (10th U.S. Census Schedule), T-9, 1,454 rolls, Check Federal Territorial Census rolls using the names and locations found in the Indian Rolls. (Note the 1880 Indian Schedules for this Federal Census were destroyed.)

1882 ~ Hester Rolls Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America. Joseph G. HESTER was appointed 26 September 1882 to take a fifth census of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. Copies of the 1848 MULLAY Roll, 1851 SILAR Roll, 1851 CHAPMAN Roll, and 1869 SWETLAND Rolls were made available for his use. Mr HESTER was required to account for all persons on the previous rolls by either including them on the new roll, noting their deaths on the old rolls, or describing their whereabouts as unknown either to Mr. HESTER or to any of the Indians. The completed roll was submitted to the Secretary of the Interior on 24 January 1884. It contained 2,956 persons residing in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, and California. Those living west of the Mississippi and listed by Mr. HESTER were descendants of members of the Eastern Band who had not severed their connection with the Eastern Band and had no affiliation with the Cherokee Nation in the West. The HESTER Roll contains the following information: ID. number on HESTER Roll, ID. number on CHAPMAN Roll, ID. number on Swetland Roll, Indian name, relationship to head of family, age, ancestor on previous rolls, relationship to ancestor, present place of residence, and remarks. Mr. Guion MILLER also used this roll in the preparation of his roll in 1910. Other enumerations include the Powell Roll (1867), a census roll of Cherokees residing in The Cherokee Nation (1867) taken by H. Tompkins, an index to freedmen on Tompkins's roll (1867), and a list of rejected claimants taken 1878-80 by the Cherokee Commission on Citizenship. A separate 1869-71 Swetland enumeration covers only the Sequoyah District of the Cherokee Nation within Indian Territory. (This roll is an excellent source of information, including ancestors, Chapman Roll (1852) number, age, English name and Indian name.

Bob calls this the 1883 Rolls, his index gives First & Last Name of resident, with HESTER & <--- 1851 CHAPMAN Roll ID.# <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I, Page 83 to 104]

1885 to 1940   NARS Microfilm Publication: M-595 Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940, 692 Reels. Pursuant to an act of 1884 (23 Stat. 98) each Indian agent began submitting annual census list of the Indians in his charge. These Indian Census Rolls constitute one record series from 1885 to 1940, perhaps the most useful single series for Indian Genealogy.  These Indian Census Rolls are arranged alphabetically by name of Indian Agency, thereunder by Name of Tribe, and thereunder by Year. A tribe may have been successively under the jurisdiction of several different Indian Agencies, so it is important to find out which Agency had jurisdiction for a particular tribe during the life of the subject Indian ancestor of research. The names of individual Indians on the rolls before about 1916 are Not arranged alphabetically; locating a particular name may require scanning all entries for the Tribe. After 1916 most agents alphabetized the names of individuals on the annual lists.

1898 to 1914   NARS Microfilm Publication: (Record Group) RG75, M-529  Final Rolls of Citizens and Freemen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory  As Approved by the Secretary of the Interior On or before 04 Mar. 1907, With Supplements Dated 25 Sep. 1914) (Orange Co. NARS Cabinet #25, 3 Rolls)  This record is what is commonly referred to as the "DAWES ROLLS". They are frequently used by researchers who are trying to provide acceptable Proof of Native American Indian ancestry from one of the Five Civilized Tribes. These rolls are arranged by Name of Tribe, thereunder by separate categories for citizens by Blood, Citizens by Marriage, and Freedmen. Most of these rolls give Name; Age; Sex; Degree of Blood; and the Roll and Census-Card number for each individual. In order to research your Indian ancestor requires scanning the entire roll for his or her Tribe, because the entries are arranged numerically order in which the citizen was entered. DAWES ROLL - HISTORY An act of Congress approved Mar. 03, 1893 [27 Sta. 656], authorized the establishment of the Commission to negotiate agreements with the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes providing for the dissolution of the tribal governments and the allotment of land to each tribal member. Senator Henry L. DAWES of Massachusetts was appointed Chairman of this Commission on Nov. 01, 1893, after which it has commonly been referred to as the DAWES Commission. Accomplishing the goal of allotting tribal lands required an accurate listing of all tribal members. There were problems including inadequacy of previous rolls and resistance from the Five Civilized Tribes, which considered the Commission's work an intrusion into their sovereignty. However, congress had a solution. It was the Curtis Act (30 Stat. 495) that was passed on 28 Jun 1898. It limited the authority of tribal governments and granted the DAWES Commission permission to create a new roll to supercede all previous rolls. They also were responsible for the survey of the land, preparation of deeds and patents, etc. These final rolls were the basis for allotment. Under the "Curtis Act", subsequent acts, and resulting agreements negotiated with each tribe, the DAWES Commission received applications for membership covering more than 250,000 people and enrolled more than 101,000. The tribal membership rolls were closed on Mar. 05, 1907, by act of Congress approved on Apr. 26, 1906 [34 Stat. 370], although an additional 312 persons were enrolled under an act Approved Aug. 01, 1914. The DAWES Commission enrolled individuals as Citizens of a tribe under the following categories:      1. Citizen by Blood;      2. Citizen by Marriage;      3. New Born Citizen by Blood (enrolled under act of Congress approved Mar. 03, 1905);      4. Minor Citizens by Blood (enrolled under act of Congress approved Apr. 06, 1906);      5. Freedmen (former black slaves of Indians, later freed and admitted to tribal citenship);      6. New Born Freedmen; and      7. Minor Freedmen;      8. Delaware Indians adopted by the Cherokee tribe were enrolled as a seperate group within the Cherokee. Within each enrollment category the generally DAWES Commission maintained three (3) types of card: Straight cards for persons whose applications were Approved; "D" cards for persons whose applications were considered , and subject to question; and "R" cards for persons whose applications were "Rejected." Persons listed on "D" cards were subsequently transferred to either Straight or cards depending on the DAWES Commission decisions. All decisions of the DAWES Commission were sent to the Secretary of the Interior for final approval. An Enrollment card, sometimes referred to by the DAWES Commission as a "census card", records the information provided by the individual applications submitted by members of the same family group or household and includes notation of the action taken. The information given for each applicant includes:      a. name;      b. roll number (individual's number if enrolled);      c. age;      d. sex;      e. degree of Indian blood (DIB);      f. relationship to the head of family group;      g. parents names; and      h. references to enrollment on earlier rolls used by the DAWES Commission for verification of eligibility. NARS Microfilm Publication: M-1186.1 Index on Reel 1 for the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freemen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory (as Approved by the Secretary of the Interior On or before 04 Mar. 1907, With Supplements Dated 25 Sep. 1914) Use this name Index to find the Application number for the DAWES ROLLS.

T-529 CONTENTS: Reel Description / Category Census Card Number 1 Index to Final Rolls 2 Cherokee By Blood 0001-0805 3 Cherokee By Blood 0806-1645 4 Cherokee By Blood 1646-2461 5 Cherokee By Blood 2462-3293 6 Cherokee By Blood 3294-4027 7 Cherokee By Blood 4028-4847 8 Cherokee By Blood 4848-5661 9 Cherokee By Blood 5662-6303 10 Cherokee By Blood 6304-7140 11 Cherokee By Blood 7141-7961 12 Cherokee By Blood 7962-8794 13 Cherokee By Blood 8795-9634 14 Cherokee By Blood 9635-10461 15 Cherokee By Blood 10462-11132 16 Cherokee Minors By Blood 001-824 17 Cherokee Minors By Blood 825-1582 18 Cherokee Minors By Blood 1583-2331 19 Cherokee Minors By Blood 2332-3034 20 Cherokee Minors 3035-3684 21 Cherokee Minors 3685-4005 22 Delaware Indians 1-382 22 Delaware Indians D1-D50 22 Delaware Indians R1-R5 22 Cherokee By Marriage 1-188 23 Cherokee By Marriage 189-288 23 Cherokee Freedmen 1-382 24 Cherokee Freedmen 383-814 25 Cherokee Freedmen 815-1231 26 Cherokee Freedmen 1232-1595 26 Cherokee Freedmen Minors 1-93 27 Cherokee Freedmen Minors 94-542 27 Cherokee D1-D267 28 Cherokee D268-D1062 29 Cherokee D1063-D1879 30 Cherokee D1880-D2711 31 Cherokee D2712-D3207 31 Cherokee R1-R336 32 Cherokee R337-R1168 33 Cherokee R1169-R1231 33 Cherokee Freedmen D1-D388 34 Cherokee Freedmen D389-D811 35 Cherokee Freedmen D812-D1225 36 Cherokee Freedmen D1226-D1342 36 Cherokee Freedmen R1-R304 37 Cherokee Freedmen R305-R730 38 Cherokee Freedmen R731-R1276 39 Choctaw By Blood 1-858 40 Choctaw By Blood 859-1718 41 Choctaw By Blood 1719-2575 42 Choctaw By Blood 2576-3426 43 Choctaw By Blood 3427-4287 44 Choctaw By Blood 4288-5140 45 Choctaw By Blood 5141-5994 46 Choctaw By Blood 5995-6109 46 Choctaw New Born By Blood 1-746 47 Choctaw New Born By Blood 747-1538 47 Choctaw Minor By Blood 1-73 48 Choctaw Minor By Blood 74-914 49 Choctaw Minor By Blood 915-1325 49 Choctaw Freedmen 1-225 50 Choctaw Freedmen 1226-659 51 Choctaw Freedmen 660-1098 52 Choctaw Freedmen 1099-1540 53 Choctaw Freedmen 1541-1602 53 Choctaw Minor Freedmen 1-521 53 Choctaw D1-D238 54 Choctaw D239-D1009 54 Choctaw R1-R105 55 Choctaw R106-R756 55 Choctaw Freedmen D1-D111 56 Choctaw Freedmen D112-D234 56 Choctaw Freedmen R1-R45 56 Mississippi Choctaw By Blood 1-540 57 Mississippi Choctaw By Blood 541-918 57 Mississippi Choctaw, New Born & Minor By Blood 1-372 57 Mississippi Choctaw Identified 1-11 57 Mississippi Choctaw Field Cards 1-110 58 Mississippi Choctaw Field Cards 111-564 58 Mississippi Choctaw D1-D74 58 Mississippi Choctaw R1-R351 59 Mississippi Choctaw R352-R1215 60 Mississippi Choctaw R1216-R2107 61 Mississippi Choctaw R2108-R3016 62 Mississippi Choctaw R3107-R3911 63 Mississippi Choctaw R3912-R4811 64 Mississippi Choctaw R4812-R5713 65 Mississippi Choctaw R5714-R6622 66 Mississippi Choctaw R6623-R7466 67 Chickasaw By Blood 001-662 68 Chickasaw By Blood 663-1424 69 Chickasaw By Blood 1425-1850 69 Chickasaw New Born By Blood 001-331 70 Chickasaw New Born By Blood 332-553 70 Chickasaw Minor By Blood 001-469 70 Chickasaw Freedmen 1-35 71 Chickasaw Freedmen 36-415 72 Chickasaw Freedmen 416-799 73 Chickasaw Freedmen 800-1178 74 Chickasaw Freedmen 1179-1522 74 Chickasaw Freedmen, Minor 1-84 75 Chickasaw Freedmen, Minor 85-517 75 Chickasaw Freedmen D1-D130 75 Chickasaw Freedmen R1-R9 75 Chickasaw R1-R57 76 Chickasaw R58-R111 76 Chickasaw, Cancelled 1-219 76 Chickasaw D1-D455 77 Creek By Blood 1-662 78 Creek By Blood 663-1398 79 Creek By Blood 1399-2125 80 Creek By Blood 2126-2867 81 Creek By Blood 2868-3611 82 Creek By Blood 3612-4059 82 Creek, New Born By Blood 1-289 83 Creek, New Born By Blood 290-1171 84 Creek, Minor By Blood 1-668 85 Creek Freedmen 1-358 86 Creek Freedmen 359-740 87 Creek Freedmen 741-1081 88 Creek Freedmen 1082-1456 89 Creek Freedmen 1457-1833 90 Creek Freedmen 1834-1917 90 Creek Freedmen, New Born, By Blood 1-468 91 Creek Freedmen, New Born, By Blood 469-748 91 Creek Freedmen, Minor, By Blood 1-435 92 Seminole By Blood 1-607 92 Seminole Freedmen 608-670 93 Seminole Freedmen 671-855 93 Seminole, New Born, By Blood 1-181 93 Seminole Freedmen 1-R5 93 Seminole, New Born Freedmen 1-91

1900 ~ Census Rolls  NARS Microfilm Publication: (11th U.S. Census Scheduel, T-623, 1,854 rolls) Same as 1910; in addition a separate Indian Territory Schedule is at the end of the Soundex Index (Reel T-1082). Use Soundex Code. This lists members of the Five Civilized Tribes as well as Whites and Blacks living in the Indian Territory. Census gives Tribe, State, County and Sheet number for this 1900 Census.

1908 ~ Churchill Rolls  Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America. Prepared by Frank C. CHURCHILL to certify members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Like the Hester Roll (1883), includes a lot of information including degree of blood. Rejectees also are included.

Bob's Index gives First & Last Name of Resident, with Churchill ID.#, & <--- 1883 Hester ID.# <--- [See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I., Pages 105 to 120]

1909-1910   Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America.  NARS Microfilm Publication: M-685  Records Relating to Enrollment of Eastern Cherokees by Guion MILLER 1908-1910  (NARS Orange Co. Cabinet #25, 12 Reels, Index on Reel 1)  These records deserve special attention. They are frequently referred to as the "GUION MILLER ROLLS", after Guion MILLER who, after 1906, was appointed by the U.S. Court of Claims to determine who was eligible to participate in a fund awarded to persons who were Eastern Cherokees at the time of the Treaties of 1835-36 and 1845 or to their descendants. There was a supplement report of 1910. They consist of 29 volumes with 10 volumes of transcripts of testimony, arranged chronologically; a report dated 05 Jan. 1910 concerning exceptions to findings; a printed copy of the completed roll with two 1910 supplements; copies of the DRENNEN & CHAPMAN report, with index; and the Old Settlers roll of 1851-52 with index. e also U.S. Court of Claims, Record Group 123)

M-685, Reel 1. General Index to Eastern Cherokee Applications, Vol. 1 and 2. Report Submitted by GUION MILLER, Specical Commissioner, May 28, 1909 Volume Applications M-685, Reel 2. 1 and 2 1 - 6,000 M-685, Reel 3. 3 and 4 6,001 - 16,000 M-685, Reel 4. 5 to 7 16,001 - 31,000 M-685, Reel 5. 8 to 10 31,001 - 45,857 M-685, Reel 6. Roll of Eastern Cherokee, May 28, 1909, and Report on Preparations, With Supplemental Roll, Jan. 05, 1910 Miscellaneous Testimony Taken Before Special Commissioners, Feb. 1900 Mar. 1909 M-685, Reel 7. Volume 1 and 2 M-685, Reel 8. Volume 3 and 4 M-685, Reel 9. Volume 5 and 6 M-685, Reel 10. Volume 7 and 8 M-685, Reel 11. Volume 9 and 10 M-685, Reel 12. Indexes & Rolls of Eastern Cherokee Indians, 1850, 1854, & 1884 Includes Miscellaneous Notes and Drafts. Item 1. Combined Index of Eastern Cherokee Rolls of 1851, by CHAPMAN & DRENNEN, Vol. 1. A-L, Vol. 2. M-Z. Item 2. THE CHAPMAN ROLL (1852), Listed by County, Name, Age, Relationship of Family. Item 3. THE DRENNEN ROLL, (1851) of Eastern Cherokee Indians Living West of the Mississippi River. Listed by County, Name, Age, Relationship of Family.

GUION ILLER ROLLS - History. These 12 Reels of Microfilm (NAMP-M-685) are the reproduced reports and records of Special Commissioner GUION MILLER. In 1906 Mr. MILLER was appointed by the U.S. Court of Claims to determine who was eligible for funds under the treaties of 1835-36 and 1845 between the United States and the Eastern Cherokees. Mr. Miller submitted his report and roll on May 28, 1909, and submitted a supplementary report and roll on Jan. 05, 1910. An Act of Congress approved Jul. 01, 1902 (32 Stat. 726), gave the Court of Claim jurisdiction over any claim arising under treaty stipulations that the Cherokee tribe, or any band thereof, might have against the United States and over any claims that the United States might have against any Cherokee tribe or band. Suit for such a claim was to be instituted within two (2) years after the act was approved. as a result, three suits where brought before the court concerning grievance existing out of the treaties. These suits were:      (1) The Cherokee Nation vs. The United States, General Jurisdiction Case No. 23199;      (2) The Eastern and Emigrant Cherokee vs. The United States, General Jurisdiction Case No. 23212;      (3) The Eastern Cherokee vs. The United States, General Jurisdiction Case No. 23214. On May 18, 1905, the United States Supreme Court decided in favor of the Eastern Cherokees and instructed the Secretary of the Interior to ascertain and identify the persons entitled to participate in the distribution of more than 1 Million dollars appropriated by Congress on Jun. 30, 1906, for use in payment of the claims. The task of compiling a roll of eligible persons was begun by GUION MILLER, then Special Agent of the Interior Department. In a decree of Apr. 29, 1907, the U.S. Supreme Court renounce part of its earlier decision that gave the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for determining the eligibility of claimants and appointed Mr. MILLER as a Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims. This Apr. 29, 1907 decree also provided that the 1 Million dollars fund was to be distributed to all Eastern and Western Cherokee Indians who were still alive on May 28, 1906, and who could establish the fact that at the time of the treaties (1835, some 70 years earlier? ..prs) they were members of the Eastern Cherokee Tribe of Indians or were descendants of such persons, and that they had NOT been affiliated with any tribe of Indians other than the Eastern Cherokee or the Cherokee Nation. The decree further provided that claimants should already have applications on file with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, or should file such applications with the new Special Commissioner of the Court of Claims on or before Aug. 31, 1907 (Some 3 months timeline. ..prs) Also according to this revised Apr. 29, 1906 decree the U.S. Supreme Court determined that all applications for Minors and persons of unsound Minds were to be filed by their parents or persons having their care in custody, and for persons who have had died after May 28, 1906 were to be filed by their children or legal representatives. (See the three page Application Form # 6-624 for: Joseph SERAT, 10 Aug 1907, Stilwell, Adair Co., Oklahoma)

Some three years later Mr. G. MILLER in his May 28, 1909 reported that 45,847 separate applications had been filed, representing a total of some 90,000 individual claimants, of which 30,254 were enrolled as entitled to share in the 1 Million Dollar fund. Some 3,203 Cherokee's were residing in the East and 27,051 were residing West of the Mississippi River. [This writer does not understand Mr. G. MILLER's mathematics. Did he mean that out of 90,000 claimants, he received 45,847 applications and that 44,153 (90,000 less 45,847 = 44,153) were already on the Cherokee rolls? Was the 30,254 the result of the 45,847 applications which 15,593 were rejected? (34%) Was the result $30,254 per claimant or $7,44.07 per claimant?.] On Jun. 10, 1909, the U.S. supreme Court confermed and approved Mr. G. MILLER's rolls of the Eastern Cherokees who were entitled to share in the distribution of the fund. The Court also decreed so much as shall be expected [excepted] to on or before Aug. 30, 1909. On Jan. 05, 1910, some 6 months later Mr. G. MILLER investigated the exceptions and submitted a Supplemental Report and Roll. In this report he stated about 11,750 exceptions had been made; that some 620 persons, of which 238 resided in the East and 372 resided West of the Mississippi River, had been added to the Rolls; and that 44 persons, 5 residing in the East and 39 residing in the West , had been stricken from the Roll because of clerical errors in enrollment had been discovered. This final figure of the total number of persons entitled to share the 1 Million dollar fund was 30, 820, of which 3,436 persons residing in the East and 27,384 residing West of the Mississippi River. [From this writers caucluations from the 90,000 original claiments only 30,820 (34.2%) were entitled?.] On Mar. 15, 1910 the U.S. Supreme Court finally decreed that the Rolls be approved and that after certain deductions for expenditures, payments were to be made equally among the Eastern Cherokees who were enrolled. The Court also authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a warrant in favor of each person. In certifying the eligibilty of the Cherokee Rolls, Mr. G. MILLER used earlier census list and rolls that had been made of the Cherokees by MASTERS, CHAPMAN, DRENNEN and others between 1835 and 1884. Copies of some of these rolls and the indexes to them are filed with the GUION MILLER records and are part of the M- 685 publication. Other enrollment records used by Mr. G. MILLER are among the classified files of the Indian Bureau and are designated as 33931-11-053 Cherokee Nation.

1910 ~ Federal Census Rolls NARS Microfilm Publication: (12th U.S. Census Schedule, T-624, 1,784 rolls) The Indian Schedules are at the end of the identified Enumeration District "ED" Use the Federal Census Index Books for "ED" of County of Residence.

1920 ~ Federal Census Rolls NARS Microfilm Publication: (13th U.S. Census Schedule, T-625, 8,585 rolls,) Native American Indians may be identified as Black, Indian, Other, or white.

1924 ~ Baker Rolls Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Dept. of the Interior, United States of America. Prepared by Fred A. BAKER, pursuant to an Act of Congress June 4, 1924 (43 Stat., 376) This was suppossed to be the "final" roll of the Eastern Cherokee. The land was to be alloted and all were to become regular citizenx. Fortuantely the Eastern Band Cherokee avoided the termination procedures, unlike their brothers of the Nation to the West. The BAKER Roll Revised is the current membership roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

[See: Cherokee Roots, Vol. I]

Some OTHER NAI RECORDS at NARS Offices:

Roll	Type	Dates
M734	Records of the Arizona Superintendent of Indian Affairs,	1863-1873
M16	Letters Sent by Arizona Superintendent of Indian Affairs,	1807-1823
M18	Register of Letters Received by Office of Indian Affairs,	1824-1880
M21	Register of Letters Sent by Office of Indian Affairs,	1824-1881
M234	Letters Received by Office of Indian Affairs,	1824-1880
M348	Report Books of the Office of Indian Affairs,	1838-1885
M574	Special Files of the Office of Indian Affairs,	1807-1904
M15	Letters Sent by the U.S. Secretary of War Relating to Indian Affairs,	1800-1824
M271	Letters Received by U.S. Secretary of War, Relating to Indian Affairs,	1800-1823
M606	Letters Sent to the Indian Division of the U.S. Department of the Interior,
T494	Documents Relating to Negotiations of Indian Treaties
M668	Ratified Indian Treaties,	1722-1869
RG-75	Mission Indian Agency,	1912-1955
263	Fort Apache Agency
1339	Fort Defiance Letterbooks

These records are part of the "History American Indian Profile©" by Volume - I. Sarratt/Sarrett/Surratt Family Profile© Compiled and self Published in Jun. 29, 1993 by Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. with the assistance of my late mother Mrs. M. Lucille (WILSON) SARRETT (1917-1987)  The SFA "Work-Books" were compiled by "General, Languages, Tribes, Treaties, Wars, How to Research NA Ancestors, Bibliographies". In 1996 I started "Up-Loading" this material on the Sarratt/Sarrett/Surratt Families of America (SFA)© site. ..prs

Would like to Exchange and Share information on SARRATT / SARRETT / SURRATT Families, contact me at:

<---E-Mail Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. Auburn, CA.