Tracing your Choctaw ancestry can be a rewarding journey, connecting you to a rich and complex history. The good news is that a wealth of historical records exists, offering clues and insights into the lives of your ancestors. These records, generated by both the United States government and various state and local entities, document interactions, treaties, removals, land claims, and the everyday lives of Choctaw people. Understanding the types of records available and where to find them is crucial for successful genealogical research. This article will guide you through the key resources and repositories for uncovering your Choctaw heritage.
Extensive Governmental Records
The relationship between the Choctaw Nation and the U.S. government generated a vast archive of documents. From the early days of the Republic, the government maintained records pertaining to trade, military affairs, and treaties. Significant documentation also exists concerning the forced removal of Choctaws to Oklahoma, land claims adjudicated by the government, trust funds established for the tribe, allotment of land in Indian Territory, military service records, and pension applications. These records reflect the evolving, and often fraught, interactions between the Choctaw people and the United States.
The Era of Indian Removal (1831-1832)
The period of Indian Removal, particularly the years 1831-1832, produced a significant volume of records. This was a time of immense upheaval, as the Choctaw Nation and its government were forcibly uprooted from their ancestral homelands in Mississippi and Alabama and relocated to the area west of the Mississippi River, which is now southeastern Oklahoma. The records created during this period include lists of emigrants, muster rolls, correspondence related to the removal process, and documentation of the challenges faced by the Choctaw people as they adapted to their new environment.
State and Local Records
While federal records provide a crucial foundation for genealogical research, don’t overlook the importance of state and local archives. In Mississippi and Oklahoma, you can find land and probate records, marriage and death certificates, and educational records that may mention your ancestors. County courthouses and state archives in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma may hold other records of consequence, such as tax rolls, court documents, and records of local interactions with the Choctaw community.
It’s important to remember that the Choctaw diaspora extended beyond Oklahoma. Significant numbers of Choctaw descendants remained in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama, and smaller groups continued to migrate to Oklahoma throughout the 19th century. Furthermore, at the turn of the century, many Choctaw descendants from across the United States applied to the Dawes Commission for land allotments in Oklahoma, creating valuable genealogical records.
Key Repositories for Historical Records Where You Might Find Genealogical Records of Your Choctaw Ancestry
The primary repositories for U.S. government records related to the Choctaw Nation are the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the regional federal record centers in East Point, Georgia, and Fort Worth, Texas. These archives hold a wealth of information, including treaty documents, correspondence between government officials and tribal leaders, census rolls, land records, and military service files.
Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek and the Armstrong Roll
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830 marked the last major cession of Choctaw lands to the U.S. government. This treaty generated an extensive record of Choctaw people and lands in the eastern territories. William Armstrong, the Indian agent at the time, compiled a roll of Choctaw individuals entitled to land under the treaty. This list, commonly known as the Armstrong Roll, is a valuable resource for genealogists. It has been published in several forms, with the most readily accessible version appearing in American State Papers: Volume 7, part II, Index to Public Lands. The American State Papers series, available in many public libraries, provides a surname index to this volume, making it an excellent starting point for locating a male ancestor during the removal period (1830-1836).
Emigration and Muster Rolls
The records associated with the removal process include lists of emigrants and muster rolls created upon their arrival in Oklahoma. These records, primarily found in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., can also be located at the Fort Worth branch. Most U.S. records pertaining to American Indians are categorized under Record Group 75. Preservation microfilm of some emigrant and muster rolls is available for purchase from the National Archives. Additional emigration rolls are associated with an attempt to remove Choctaws remaining in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi during 1855-1856. This microfilm can be purchased as Microfilm A20, titled "Cooper Census and Emigration Roll." Furthermore, some emigration registers and names of Choctaws who remained in Mississippi are available on preservation microfilm 7RA – 116A, titled "Choctaws Who Remained in Mississippi: 1830."
Land Claims and Commissions
Another significant set of records resulted from various commissions appointed by the U.S. government to address land claims made by the Choctaw people and to investigate fraudulent practices perpetrated against them by white residents and land syndicates in Mississippi. These commissions, including the Pray, Murray, and Vroom Commission of 1837 and the Claiborne, Grave, Tyler, Gaines, and Rush Commission of 1822-1825, generated valuable documentation related to land ownership, property disputes, and the identities of Choctaw claimants.
Choctaw "Script"
Choctaw individuals whose original land claims had been pre-empted or who had removed before making claims were issued "script," which were certificates that could be used for land purchases on unoccupied land in the public domain or redeemed for cash. Many parcels of land in Mississippi and Alabama were purchased with script, often obtained by settlers or land syndicates from Choctaws. These script records can provide clues about land transactions and the individuals involved.
The "Net Proceeds Case"
Choctaw groups continued to migrate to Indian Territory throughout the 19th century. Under the terms of treaties, Choctaws in Indian Territory were entitled to an annuity from the U.S. government to compensate for land lost in Mississippi and the costs of removal for those who migrated without assistance. However, this annuity was never fully paid, leading to extensive litigation known as the "Net Proceeds Case" (Choctaw Nation of Indians vs. The United States: U.S. Court of Claims No. 12722, 1882). The records of this case contain extensive testimony about the actions of U.S. agent William Ward, who was accused of failing to register many Choctaws who wished to remain in Mississippi. These records are a genealogical treasure trove, filled with names, relationships, and information about Choctaw individuals who did not remove. While copies of the testimony can be difficult to find outside of the U.S. Archives, the Oklahoma State Historical Commission in Oklahoma City holds a copy and an index.
Dawes Commission and Allotment
Despite treaty assurances, Choctaw lands in Indian Territory were eventually subject to pre-emption by the U.S. government. In 1893, negotiations began for the allotment of Choctaw land and the opening of "surplus" lands for white settlement. The Dawes Commission, formally known as the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, was created to negotiate with the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles for the division of their land and the allotment of individual tracts of one-quarter section to each Indian head of family. The remaining land was to be sold to white settlers.
To facilitate this process, the Commission created a roll of all members of the Choctaw tribe in Oklahoma. The minutes of the enrolling authorities and the Commission, as well as records from U.S. district courts that adjudicated contested enrollments, constitute a comprehensive record that continues to be used by contemporary tribes for enrollment and legal purposes. An index to the Dawes Rolls is available for sale from the National Archives and can be found in many libraries and state archives. Individual and family case records are housed in the Fort Worth, Texas branch of the U.S. Archives. If you locate an ancestor’s name on the Dawes Roll, you can request a copy of their file from the Fort Worth branch. The file typically includes an enrollment card listing all family members, their relationship to the head of family, their blood quantum, their residence (by district of the Choctaw Nation), and potentially testimony given to the Dawes Commission.
Choctaw Census Records
In addition to the Dawes Rolls, several other censuses were conducted, including those taken when the Mississippi Choctaw reservation was created in 1918 and at subsequent intervals. These censuses are found in the National Archives and are available on microfilm series M595.
- 1885 Choctaws in Indian Territory Roll 623
- 1926-32 Choctaws in Mississippi Roll 21
- 1933-39 Choctaws in Mississippi Roll 22
Archived Correspondence with Indian Agents
The correspondence between Indian agents and their superiors in Washington, D.C., as well as with the Choctaw people and others living within their jurisdiction, provides valuable insights into the lives of your ancestors. This correspondence is housed in the National Archives, and the incoming correspondence is also available on microfilm series M232, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1822-80." The roll numbers for the Choctaw Agency are listed in the original article. This resource can reveal details about daily life, disputes, government policies, and individual interactions.
Civil War Records and Historical Records Where You Might Find Genealogical Records of Your Choctaw Ancestry
During the Civil War, the Choctaw Nation largely sided with the Confederacy. While Choctaw units participated in relatively few active engagements, the Choctaw National Council signed a treaty with Confederate General Albert Pike in 1861. After the war, the U.S. government demanded that the Choctaw Nation free their slaves and sell portions of their territory to provide land for the freedmen. Records related to the Choctaw Nation during the Civil War are primarily Confederate records. The U.S. Archives also holds records of Indian applications for military bounty land and Civil War pensions covering the period 1855-1890.
School Records
Records of mission schools attended by Choctaw children prior to removal can also provide valuable genealogical information. The Choctaw Academy, located in Kentucky, was a major institution that educated many Indian men, including some who later became leaders of their tribes. Information about the Choctaw Academy can be found in reports to the Indian agents and to the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs. These records are primarily federal records but may also be found in some state archives, university libraries, or large public libraries. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions also operated schools for the Choctaws in Mississippi prior to removal. Reports from the missionaries who operated these schools are available at the Houghton Library of Harvard University and on microfilm.
Conclusion
Tracing your Choctaw ancestry requires patience, persistence, and a thorough understanding of the available resources. By exploring the wealth of federal, state, and local records, including treaty documents, census rolls, land records, military service files, school records, and correspondence, you can piece together the stories of your ancestors and gain a deeper appreciation for your Choctaw heritage.