Native American Rolls

Historical Overview:  During the period of Indian Removal beginning in 1831 extensive records were generated through the turn of the century when Southeastern Indians were uprooted from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.  They were taken west of the Mississippi River in what is now Oklahoma.  These records relate to treaties, trade, land claims, removal to Oklahoma, allotments, military affairs, military service and pensions, trust funds, and other activities. 

Research for American Indian ancestors begins just like any other search for ancestors; you have to begin with what you know now.  Prepare your ancestor charts beginning with yourself.  Include all names, nicknames and any other identifying information on each person, be sure to check the more traditional resources: local and state records, census records, land records, court cases, probate records, church and school records...Jackie Matte, author of "They Say the Wind is Red".   

Viewed by many as one of the most useful resources for researching your Native American (Indian) Ancestors.  However, until you know who and where your ancestors resided the rolls will be of no value to you. Proving Your Indian Ancestry is a guide to your research.

To further your Roll search we have added mailing lists.  We have invited many individuals to join these lists with knowledge of the rolls and history.  It is hoped that we will be able to expand the descriptions of each of the rolls so the readers will have a better understanding of their uses.

Each roll is a link to a further explanation of that roll and why you need to search that roll.

Reservation Roll

Reservation Roll ~ 1817 History ~ Cherokee Indians A listing of those applying for a 640 acre tract in the East in lieu of removing to Arkansas. This was only good during their lifetime and then the property reverted back to the state.      This is only an index of applicants, the people listed here did not in most instances receive the reservation they requested.

Reservation Roll Mailing list

Search ~ Reservation Roll Database ~

Armstrong Roll

Armstrong Roll ~ 1830 History ~ Choctaw Indians Under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek the information called for by the resolutions of the Senate of the 3d of March, in relation to the location of reservations under the treaty with the Choctaws of September 27th, 1830.

Armstrong Roll Mailing List

Search ~ Armstrong Roll Database ~

Emigration Roll

1817~1835 History  Cherokee Indians Those who filed to emigrate to Arkansas country, and after treaties in 1828 on to Oklahoma.  These Cherokee became known as the Old Settlers after the Eastern Cherokee joined them in 1839

Emigration Roll Mailing List

Henderson Roll

1835 History  Cherokee Indians A Census of over 16,000 Cherokee residing in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to be removed to Oklahoma under the terms of the treaty of New Echota in 1835. See Trail of Tears Roll below.

Henderson Roll Mailing List

Trail of Tears Roll

Trail of Tears Roll ~ 1835 History  Cherokee Indians This is actually a report from the Secretary of War, in compliance with resolutions of the Senate, statements showing the persons employed, the funds furnished, and the improvements valued under the Cherokee Treaty of December 1835.

Search ~ Trail of Tears Roll ~

Mullay Roll

Mullay Roll ~ 1848 History Cherokee Indians
A census of 1,517 Cherokee remaining in North Carolina after the removal of 1838.  John C. Mullay took the census pursuant to an act of congress in 1848.

Mullay Roll Mailing List

Muster Rolls

Ha Cubbees Band Muster Roll ~ 1847 History  Choctaw Indians Muster roll of a party of immigrant Choctaw Indians of the Ha Cubbees Band who arrived at Fort Coffee, in the Choctaw Nation West, on the 23 of June 1847

Muster Roll of Big Black River Band ~ 1847 History  Choctaw Indians Muster roll of a party on immigrant Choctaw Indians, known as the Big Black River Band who arrived at Fort Coffee, in the Choctaw Nation West on the 10th of June 1847.

Chapman Roll

Chapman Roll ~ 1851  History Cherokee Indians Prepared by Albert Chapman as a listing of those Cherokee actually receiving payment based on the Siler Census.

Join the Chapman Roll Mailing List

Old Settlers Roll

Old Settler Roll ~ 1851 History Cherokee  Indians 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, as a result of the Treaty of New Echota.  Approximately one third of the Cherokee people at that time were Old Settlers and two thirds were new arrivals.

Join the Old Settler Roll Mailing List

Search ~ Old Settlers Roll ~

Siler Roll

Siler Roll ~ 1852 Cherokee Indians A listing of those Eastern Cherokee entitled to a per capita payment pursuant to an act of Congress in 1850.

Siler Roll Mailing List

Act of Congress Roll

Act of Congress Roll ~ 1854 History  Cherokee Indians
An Act of Congress of July 31, 1854 (10 Stat 333) Authorized the addition of 88 individuals whose names were omitted by Siler but who were included on the Roll prepared by Mullay.

Search ~ Act of Congress Roll

Drennen Roll

Drennen Roll ~ 1852 History  Cherokee Indians The first census of the new arrivals of 1839.  The New Echota Treaty group. The Drennen roll is a per-capita payment made to Cherokees living in the west who removed as a result and after the Treaty of 1835 Article 9. The roll was prepared by John Drennen and contains the payee's name, Cherokee district and then family group.

Drennen Roll Mailing List

Search ~ Drennen Roll Database ~

Cooper Roll

Cooper Roll ~ 1855 History  Choctaw Indians Census Roll of Choctaw Families residing East of the Mississippi River and in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama made by Douglas H. Cooper, US Agent for Choctaws, in conformity with Order of Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated May the 23rd, 1855. This database allows you to search by surname or Clan.

Cooper Roll Mailing List

Search ~ Cooper Roll ~

Kansas Kickapoo Land Allotments ~ 1862 (hosted at Native Americans in Kansas)

1863 Pottawatomie Land Roll ~ 1863 (hosted at Native Americans in Kansas)

Swetland Roll ~ 1869 History  Cherokee Indians Prepared by S. H. Swetland as a listing of those Eastern Cherokee, and their descendants, who were listed as remaining in North Carolina by Mullay in 1848.  Made pursuant to an act of Congress (1868) for a removal payment authorization.

Swetland Roll Mailing List

Narragansett Tribal List 1881 - A-I  J-Z Final List of the Members of the Narragansett Tribe Entitled to a Share of the Purchase Money 1881

Hester Roll

Hester Roll Index ~ 1883 History  Cherokee Indians
Compiled by Joseph G. Hester as a roll of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1883.  This Roll itself provides the Chapman roll number and English and Indian name.

Hester Roll Mailing List

Allotment Rolls

Citizens Band Land Allotment Rolls ~ 1887 (hosted at Native Americans in Kansas)

Land Allotment of Pottawatomie, Prairie Band ~ 1887 (hosted at Native Americans in Kansas)

Citizens Band Land Allotment Roll Kansas Potawatomie ~ 1887 (hosted at Native Americans in Kansas)