A knowledge of local geography and history can help you to identify your Native ancestors. Many folks scoff at this but Indigenous Peoples are tied to land – it is our relative and teacher. Knowing where your Native ancestors came from is extremely helpful in identifying them.

1.  Research the area where that ancestor resided for the tribe or tribal groups that lived there during that time period (or just before).

2. Determine what, if any, tribal group survives in that ancestral area.

3. Research available records pertaining to that tribal group.

Please Note!

Be aware that tribes are sovereign entities with their own definitions of who qualifies as a member of their tribe and who their ancestors are.

The below maps were created by Smithsonian researchers and may not be entirely accurate today. They are based on colonial constructs and historic information written by non-native people. But you can use them as a starting point in your search to find records identifying your ancestors.

Aquene, Cher