Delving into the history of your Creek or Muskoke ancestors is a journey through a complex tapestry of tribal affiliations, treaties, removals, and ultimately, resilience. The term "Creek Indians" as understood historically by Europeans, encompasses a diverse confederacy of indigenous peoples, with the Muskoke or Creek people serving as the central and most influential group. This article serves as a roadmap to guide you through the historical records and resources available to uncover your family’s story within this rich heritage. Where to start in your search for Creek or Muskoke ancestors? Let’s start with the confederacy.
Understanding the Creek Confederacy
It’s crucial to understand that the Creek "Nation" was, in reality, a confederacy of various tribes, each with its own distinct identity and traditions. The Muskoke, or Creek proper, were the dominant force, but the confederacy included a multitude of other Muscogee-speaking groups, such as the Okfuskee, Otciapofa, Abikha, Okchai, Hilibi, Fus-hatchee, and Tulsa, Coosa. The Alabama, Natchez, and Koasati tribes also belonged to the confederacy. Even some Shawnee people, who settled among them, were associated with it. Recognizing this diverse composition is the first step in accurately tracing your ancestry, as records may be associated with specific tribal towns and affiliations within the larger Creek framework.
The Treaty of 1832 and the Reluctance to Leave
The early 19th century brought immense pressure on the Creek people as the United States government sought to acquire their ancestral lands. By the 1830s, the Creeks primarily occupied the central portion of what is now the state of Alabama. On March 24, 1832, a treaty was signed that ceded the remaining Creek land in Alabama to the U.S. government. A tribal census was completed on May 1, 1833, but the Creeks were extremely reluctant to leave their long-held homelands.
This deep connection to their land and way of life fueled resistance and ultimately led to the tragic events known as the "Creek War of 1836." This conflict, instigated by the U.S. government, was a calculated military operation designed to pit factions within the Creek Nation against each other, weakening their collective opposition to removal. Understanding this historical context is vital because it significantly impacted the records generated and the dispersal of the Creek people.
The Creek Census of 1833: A Foundational Document
One of the most valuable resources for genealogical research related to the Creek people is the Creek Census of 1833, often referred to as the Parsons and Abbott Roll. This document stands out for its comprehensiveness, as it was meticulously compiled through a village-to-village effort by census takers. It lists the names of heads of households, organized by Creek town, providing a snapshot of the Creek population just prior to the forced removal.
If you are fortunate enough to locate an ancestor on the Parsons and Abbott Roll, you have a solid foundation for further research. This roll served as a basis for numerous subsequent documents related to Creek claims cases that extended well into the 1960s. Microfilmed copies of the Parsons and Abbott Roll can be obtained from the National Archives (ask for T275).
Creek Lands in the East: Reservations and Land Records
The Treaty of 1832 included a provision that allowed each head of household to select a reservation of land in Alabama. If they desired, they could settle on this land and remain in Alabama. Alternatively, individuals could sell their reservation, move to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), and retain the proceeds. This treaty provision inadvertently created a valuable body of land records that can be helpful for genealogical research.
These records are primarily found in county courthouses in Alabama and in the U.S. Archives in Washington, D.C., and Eastpoint, Georgia. It’s important to note that many Creek individuals were defrauded of their reservations by unscrupulous white settlers and land speculators. However, searching these records may still yield valuable information about your Creek, Choctaw, or Cherokee ancestors.
Finding aids for these land records include indices of original entry land records, which are available in many libraries. These indices are organized by land offices established to sell the lands of the Indians and of the United States. Land location registers for the period 1833-34 and an index to these lands are also housed in the National Archives (Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs: Record Group 75).
Records of Removal: The Trail of Tears
The forced removal of the Creek people, often referred to as the Trail of Tears, generated another set of records that can be vital for genealogical research. These records are also located in the National Archives. They include information on self-emigrant Creeks who moved to Indian Territory as a result of the Treaty of 1832 and who were provided with subsistence for one year upon their arrival. These rolls typically include the claimant’s name, the period of the claim, and information about their heirs if the original claimant had died.
Records of the Creeks Prior to Removal: Trading Houses and Early Interactions
The United States government established a system of trading houses, known as "factories," among various Indian tribes in the early years of the Republic. These factories were located on Creek lands in Alabama and Georgia from 1795 to 1820. Records of these factories, including ledgers, journals, and correspondence kept by the factors (managers of the trading houses), are housed in the National Archives.
The factors, appointed by the U.S. government, became the primary agents for all government dealings with the Indians. One of the most prominent agents among the Creeks was Benjamin Hawkins. His records, also located in the National Archives, include ledgers, journals, receipts, annuity payments, and correspondence. These records are invaluable for genealogical research because they often contain the names of Creek individuals who traded at the factories during this early period.
Early Correspondence: Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs
Microfilmed correspondence for the Creek Agency East, covering the period from 1824 to 1836, is available in many large libraries and at the National Archives. Copies can also be purchased by individuals. This correspondence is available on microfilm roll M-234, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80," Rolls 219-225. While the genealogical information in these records may be limited, they provide valuable historical context. Correspondence related to Creek emigration to Indian Territory can be found on Rolls 237-240.
Later Census Rolls: Tracking the Creeks in Indian Territory
Creek censuses were conducted in 1882, 1890, and 1896 in Indian Territory. Other rolls were created in connection with annuity payments and claims cases related to the removal treaty. These records are available on preservation microfilm from the Southwest branch of the National Archives in Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, the United States census for Indian Territory includes a Soundex index, which can be helpful for locating surnames.
Investigations: Uncovering Fraud and Hostilities
In 1836, President Andrew Jackson appointed Hartley Crawford and Alfred Balch to investigate reports of fraud in the sale of Creek land in Alabama, as well as the causes of the hostilities that were occurring among the Creeks. The records of this investigation, and similar ones, are located in the U.S. Archives and may contain useful genealogical information.
Allotments in Indian Territory and the Dawes Roll: A New Era
The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant change for the Creeks in Indian Territory. Their communal lands were allotted to individual heads of families, and Indian Territory eventually became the state of Oklahoma. To facilitate the allotment process, rolls were created of all members of the Creek Nation.
This roll, commonly known as the Dawes Roll, is a critical document for genealogical research. Hearing of the allotment, many Creeks from across the United States migrated to Indian Territory, with some eventually returning east and others remaining. The index for the Dawes Roll is available on microfilm and in print in many libraries.
Individual and family case records related to the Dawes Roll are housed in the Fort Worth Branch of the U.S. Archives. If you find an ancestor’s name on the Dawes Roll, you can request a copy of their file from the Fort Worth Branch. The file typically contains an enrollment card listing all family members, their residence (by district or town in the Creek Nation), and may include testimony given to the Dawes Commission.
Civil War Claim Cases: Loyalty and Compensation
Following the U.S. Civil War, numerous Creek claims were filed in federal courts seeking compensation for damages suffered by Creek individuals who were loyal to the United States during the conflict. A roll of loyal Creeks is also included among the annuity payment rolls for annuities paid to the Creek Indians in Indian Territory after the Civil War. Descriptions of these materials can be found in the published inventory of the National Archives.
Conclusion: Piecing Together the Past
Tracing your Creek or Muskoke ancestry requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to navigate a complex historical landscape. By understanding the structure of the Creek Confederacy, the impact of treaties and removals, and the various records generated throughout these periods, you can begin to piece together your family’s story and connect with your rich heritage. Begin your search now and you will understand where to start in your search for Creek or Muskoke ancestors.