Your parent or grandparent belonged to an Indian tribe, and you have no idea what tribe, and don’t know much of their culture and find them already passed on, there are going to be a few difficulties finding your American Indian ties, however it can still be done.  Usually those who are of mixed heritage will find that they have two main difficulties that face them.

The first will be finding exactly what tribe or band your parent, or your grandparents actually belonged to may be difficult unless you have some clues to go on.
The second thing is that by and large you will most likely not find any measure of acceptance there, or if you do, its going to take some real effort..

A harsh thing to say perhaps but somewhat true, particularly if you’re having trouble proving the point of your heritage to begin with.

If all you really want is to find your heritage, to know more about the people you are related to, then chances are you can accomplish that, but to find a sense of acceptance into the fold so to speak, probably isn’t going to happen and its best to know that going in.

This will be particularly true if your reasons for search of your native heritage are not to reconnect with them, but instead to find something that you believe may be due you in deference to your American Indian blood. First of all your chances are better of finding gold in your back yard, than of achieving a scholarship or a large payout because of your American Indian blood, so if thats the reason your’re seeking, you might want to reconsider.

Largely the work you will need to do to find your ancestors, particularly ify ou are of mixed blood, will far outweight any benefits you may achieve.

For the most part those are reserved for those with at least a quarter blood quantum, and who live on the reservation which is by and large, a great deal like living in a third world country.

If you’re seeking your Native heritage to make a buck… buy a lottery ticket, it will be faster.

The various tribes have their own criteria for permitting you to join, even if you aren’t going to live on the reservation, so you may in fact accomplish that, if you’re trying, however, if you only want to know more about your family, and you don’t mind a lot of work to accomplish it, then the links below may in fact be helpful to you in that quest.

Directory of American Indian Tribes: federally recognized US tribes and locations

First Nations Directory: Federally recognized Canadian tribes and locations

Native Tribes of the United States and Canada:

Carolyne’s Native American Genealogy Helper: Articles by a professional genealogist on tracing your Native American roots.

American Indian Genealogy: Free messageboards, searchable Indian rolls, and maps.

Roots Web Native American Genealogy Lists:Multiple lists that are dedicated to tracing your Native American Roots

Tags:  Finding Native Americans Finding Your Tribe Native American Genealogy. Tracing Native Americans Tracing your American Indian Heritage