How can I prove Native American ancestry?
Answer
Due to various circumstances, Native American ancestry can be difficult to prove. To begin your Native American research, you will need to find records pertaining to the individual or family line that may be Native American. Finding birth and death records, census records, and other record types may provide information on a person's ethnicity. We also have a bibliography of Native American resources at the Indiana State Library, although this list does not represent our complete holdings.
Most Native American records are kept by the tribes, so if you know tribal affiliation, you may need to contact that tribe to find more information. When researching Native American ancestry, do keep in mind that many families have stories of Native American ancestors that cannot be proven with the available records.