Indian Research
in the Mid-Atlantic Region
by HOST GFS Susi
Indian Research in the Mid Atlantic Region is as rewarding as any other research. There is much data and documented sources if you know where and how to look. I will attempt to list some good sources for you to research and better understand the tribes and their movement.
Indian Maps:
Cartographic Records in the National Archives of the United States Relating to American Indians. Reference Information Paper 71. Washington DC National Archives and Records Service, 1974. These maps are records of seven Federal agencies that worked with Indian Affairs and Activities. They cover: Indian Land Cessation, exploration of Indian lands, reservations being established and the developments on the reservations.
Atlas of the North American Indian. New York: Facts on File, 1985. Written by Carl Waldman. Maps (96) containing information regarding early Indian Civilization, migration of tribes, languages within families, Indian Wars, cessions of Indian land, Indian land claims and culture.
Atlas of American Indian Affairs, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990. Covering Indian land cessions from 1784 through 1890, showing maps of various tribes reservations and other data.
Other Printed Sources:
A Bibliography of Sources for Native American Family History, by Curt Bryan Witcher Fort Wayne Ind. Allen County Public Library 1988
Guide to Records in the National Archives of the United States, relating to American Indians, by Edward E. Hill Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration, 1981.
Native American Periodicals and Newspapers, 1828-1982; Bibliography, Publishing Record, and Holdings. Westport, Conn. Greenwood Press, 1984.
Native American Directory, Vital Records of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Wisconsin. Lorriane (Rainwaters) Henry by Heritage Books. This book lists births, marriages and deaths of various tribes persons mostly in the 18th and 19th century but contains some 17th century data also.
The Indian Wars of Pennyslvania by C. Hale Sipe, Wennawoods Publishing. A comprehensive documented book on the 40 years of Indian Wars on America's Eastern Frontier. 1755-1794 is the time period most major wars occured. Much referencing and data in this must read book if you are doing Indian Research.
The Pennyslvania Line, A Reseach Guide to Pennsylvania Genealogy and Local History, Fourth edition compiled by William L Iscrupe and Shirley G. M. Iscrupe. Published by Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services. (Any edition is good)
Early History of Western Pennsylvania and the Western Campaigns 1754-1833. Daniel W Kaufman, Publisher 1846. A must to learn about the Indian developments as the Europeans moved in.
Index to the Final Rolls of the Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory, Washington D C, Government Printing Office, n.d.
A Concise Dictionary of Indian Tribes of North America, Algonac, Mich.: Reference Publications, 1979.
Long Before Columbus, How the Ancients Discovered America, by Hans Holzer Introduced by Barbara Hand Clow printed by Bear & Company Publishing.
Voices of the Wind, Native American Legends, Margot Edmonds and Ella E Clark. Stories and Myths and Legends of the Native American's. It helps for learning tribal customs and traditions.
Ancestrys' Red Book devotes a very excellent chapter that covers the Native American collections in the State of Oklahoma.
This also brings up the subject that many Native Americans were intermarried with the slaves brought over from African Nations. After the Civil War even more marriages occurred. You may need to research African ancestry as you work your way back also.
Marriages, Northampton County, Virginia 1660-1854 Recorded in Bonds, Licenses, Minister Returns, and Other Resources. printed by Heritage Books, Bowie MD 1991. (Page 139 has a guide to "Free Negro Surnames") written by Jean M . Mihalyka
As time moves forward I will be adding more sources for you to research. Remember Mulatto, Mixed, Negro, Black and not specified does not mean they are not Indian of some amount.
Remember to check Census records, Church records, city records, town council records, land records - check like you were researching any other name. Newspaper records and any other written records you can find should be used.
Never discount a family story or oral history, but you must work to prove it was real. Sometimes it is very close to exact, sometimes it is correct but timing and place is incorrect. But much can be taken from it to help you to know where to look, what to look for and when.
Return to Native American Resource Center
The Genealogy Forum - Main Page
Beginners' Center | Internet Center | Message Boards
Surname Center | Reunion Center | File Library
Genealogy Forum News
Shop With Us
Genealogy Forum.com is a production of
Golden Gate Services, Inc. of Armada, Michigan.
© 1998 - 2005 All Rights Reserved. Brenda Jean Bova, President.
The Genealogy Forum is a member of the National Genealogical Society.
Tree logo provided by MeadPond Designs and is the trademark of GenealogyForum.com.DREAM CATCHER by Jackie Bowen © 1998,
All Rights Reserved
© 2005 Some graphics By Carol, All Rights Reserved
If you have any questions or comments,
please contact GenealogyForum@aol.com
