CHEROKEE NATION Registration Department P.O. Box 948 Tahlequah, OK 74465-0948 918-456-0671

To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is in reference to your inquiry concerning possible Cherokee ancestry. You are welcome to visit the Registration Department and research the index and rolls from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The index and rolls are available at other locations. For the research facility nearest you, please consult this office. OR, you may wish to contact a person who may be able to do your research.

The Registration Department does not necessarily recommend anyone to do research. You must write the researcher before putting a problem to any one of them. By completing the enclosed "ancestry chart" as much as possible, you will be helping any researcher investigate the tribal rolls. Give the names, birth-dates, and death-dates of ONLY YOUR DIRECT CHEROKEE ANCESTORS. Researchers who review Cherokee records are listed below:

Mrs. Jerry McLemore
601 W. 20th St South
Claremore, OK 74019

Indian Territory Genealogical/Historical Society
c/o John Vaughn Library, NSU
Tahlequah, OK 74464 

If tracing to an ancestor that lived in the area of Tennessee, Georgia, Eastern Alabama or South Carolina, you may want to correspond with:

The Eastern Band of Cherokees

Qualla Boundary
PO Box 455
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-4771

Please contact your chosen researcher for possible costs in the research BEFORE you send the ancestry chart or any documents. When writing a researcher, be sure to enclose a SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. Do not send money until you have made an agreement concerning fees. Make any checks or money orders payable to your researcher. DO NOT MAKE YOUR CHECK/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO THE REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

Should your chosen researcher provide you with a name and roll number, you must then complete a formal application for a Certificate of Degree on Indian Blood/Tribal Membership, and submit it to this office with the proper documents as explained in the instructions.

Other locations for information on Genealogical research may be found on the internet as well. Here is a link to listing of useful information that is maintained by other's with similar interest:

NARA Archival Information Locator (NAIL)
http://www.nara.gov/nara/nail/nailgen.html

Dawes Commission Index 1898-1914
http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3118.htm
Dawes Commission 1896 Index
http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3075.htm

Great fun is doing the research yourself, but remember, the burden of proof lies with you, the applicant. Good luck in you research.

Sincerely,

Lela J. Ummerteskee,
Interim Registrar

ENC

/lju/10-95

Extra Info

Indian Territory Genealogical & Historical Society Schedule for Volunteers to open Ballenger Room:

	Schedule for Spring semester: January 12 - May 7
	Tues: 9-noon; 1:00-4:00 p.m. Wed: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fri: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
	Schedule is subject to change NOTE: closed Spring Break:

If you need genealogical assistance at other times, you are referred to the Muskogee Public Library, 801 West Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK (918) 682-6657. It holds most of the Cherokee Dawes applications (Which we do not have) & the Miller Roll applications, as well as more federal census records than we hold.

Mon - Thurs: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.