Oklahoma (Western) Cherokee Rolls/Censuses 1851-1902 A listing of Rolls and Censuses for the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma with a desciption of each with source info. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Michelle L. Chubenko e-mail: famhist@home.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGenWeb Notice: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other persons other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma (Western) Cherokee Rolls/Censuses 1851-1902: ...from "Cherokee Roots" by Bob Blankenship "Though it is not commonly known, western migration of the Cherokee Nation commenced well before the removal in 1838 - known as the Trail of Tears. By the time the Eastern Cherokee arrived in (present day) northeastern Oklahoma in 1839, approximately 1/3 of the Cherokee Nation was already residing there. Records of how many people, and when, moved west are limited. It is known for a fact, that as early as the 1790's some Cherokee moved into southeastern Missouri. It is probable that there were already Cherokee settled in the Missouri area. Due to earthquakes and flooding in Missouri, around 1812, most of the Cherokee moved into (present day) northwestern Arkansas. Because of mounting political pressure, the United States entered treaties with the Cherokee in 1817 and 1819, for the purpose of acquiring Cherokee land in the east. Out of these treaties, the Cherokee had a choice of two alternatives. They could either enroll to moved to the traded for land in (present day) northwestern Arkansas or they could file for a reservation of 640 acres in the east which would revert to the state upon their death or abandonment of the property. By the treaty in 1828, the Cherokee ceded their lands in Arkansas (Territory) for lands in Oklahoma (Indian Territory). There was also some incentive for those east of the Mississippi to join the Cherokee in Oklahoma (Indian Territory)." Old Settlers Rolls: 1851 Old Settler Roll - A listing of Cherokee still living in 1851 who were already residing in Oklahoma (Indian Territory) when the main body of Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839 - as a result of the Treaty of New Echota (1835). Listed by Cherokee District and thereunder by family group. Also, includes non-residents of the family group. It is indexed in Vol. II of "Cherokee Roots" and on Roll 12 of NARA M685. More info online: http://members.aol.com/lredtail/oldsettlers.html 1896 Old Settler Payment Roll - Based on families living in the Cherokee Nation West in 1851, is lists those Old Settlers still alive, heirs of a deceased Old Settler, and Old Setters not found. This roll is on Rolls 1 & 2 of NARA T985. Western Emigrant Cherokee Roll: 1852 Drennan Roll (Emigrant Cherokee Payment) - Listed by Cherokee District and thereunder by family group. Also, contains sections called the Disputed Roll by family group. The Disputed Roll were people who had been Old Settlers, but were placed on this roll because of lack of evidence. It is indexed in the Vol. II of "Cherokee Roots" and on microfilm Roll 12 of NARA M685. Western Cherokee Districts: 1 - Coo-Wee-Scoo-Wee 6 - Flint 2 - Delaware 7 - Canadian 3 - Saline 8 - Illinois 4 - Tahlequah 9 - Skin Bayou or Sequoyah 5 - Going Snake Western Cherokee Censuses 1880-1896: 1880 Cherokee Census - The 1880 Census has 6 schedules, #1 listed all citizens of the Cherokee Nation WEST; #2 listed orphans; #3 listed 'Not Recognized Citizens'; #4 listed pending Citizenship applicants; #5 listed intruders (whites, etc); #6 listed permitted Non-Citizens. The census lists name, age, sex, read/write, married, and farm/dwelling info including acreage. This census is arranged by Cherokee District and semi-alpha order by first letter of last name. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA07 Rolls 1-4 in Ft. Worth, TX. Online: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/1880census/index.htm 1880 Lipe Roll - This is a payment roll or "Bread Money" Roll. The roll lists the name and amount the Cherokee was paid. It is listed by Cherokee District and thereunder by semi-alpha order by first letter of the last name. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA33 Roll 1 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1883 Cherokee Payment Roll - "Grass Money" - A per capita payment made to Cherokee citizens from funds obtained from leasing land to the Cherokee Strip Livestock Association. This roll gives name and age, is in semi-alpha order by first letter of last name, and grouped by Cherokee district. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA56 Rolls 1-2 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1886 Cherokee Payment Roll - Additional "Grass Money" - It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA58 Rolls 1-2 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1890 Cherokee Census - It is similar to the 1880 Census. It lists name, native or adopted, race or nationality, age, sex, occupation, read/write, married and dwelling info including acreage. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA08 Rolls 1-6 in Ft. Worth, TX. Also, Schedule 1 is available on LDS FHC under Oklahoma - Native Races Film #1666296 - Canadian District, 1666297 - Cooweescoowee (part), 1666298 - Cooweescoowee (part), Delaware, Flint and Going Snake, 1666299 - Illinios, Saline, Sequoyah, and Tahlequah (part), and 1666300 - Tahlequah (part). 1893 Cherokee Census - Taken to use as a basis for a per capita payment for funds received from the sale of the Cherokee Strip in 1893. Arranged by Cherokee District and family group, age and sex. There are separate sections in each district for Cherokee Citizens, adopted whites, Freedmen, Shawnee, Delaware, and Creek Indians. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA54 Rolls 1-2 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1894 Cherokee Strip Payment - "Starr Roll" - This is arranged by Cherokee District and alpha by first letter of last name. It lists names in the family group, age, and signature of peron receiving payment for family. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA38 Rolls 1-5 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1896 Cherokee Census - Arranged by Cherokee District and gives name, age, sex, miles from voting precinct, degree of Cherokee Blood, birth place for Natives and Adopted Citizens. It is on Reg. Archive Group film 7RA19 Roll 1 in Ft. Worth, TX. 1898-1902 Final Roll of the Five Civilized Tribes or "Dawes Roll" (with supplemental for minor children 1902-1906): The final result of the Dawes Commission's work was to determine the eligibility of citizens to share in the allotment of land. For the Cherokee, it contains the names of Cherokee Citizens who were living in the Cherokee Nation West on September 1, 1902. The index gives roll number, names, age, sex, degree of blood, and Census Card number. The Roll is broken down by Cherokee By Blood, Cherokee Minors, Cherokee Freedman, Cherokee Freedman Minors, and Cherokee Intermarried Whites. The Census Cards contain information about one family and show the same info as on the final rolls for each family member. It gives additional info including residence, location of earlier rolls, names of parents, whether parents were living or deceased, and often notations on marriages or deaths. The Census Cards for all FCT have been reproduced on Rolls 2-93 on NARA M1186. Roll 1 of NARA M1186 has the index to ACCEPTED Dawes applicants. Once you obtain the Census Card number for your ancestor, go to NARA Group M1186 and view the acutal Census Card. The Census Cards are broken down into the sections that I listed above. To view the application packet that accompanies the Census Card, go to NARA Group M1301 Rolls 174-399. These application packets contain depositions by the heads of the family and other person attesting to the validity of the applicants claim. Note: Don't forget about the Minor Children Supplement 1902 - March 1906. These Minor children Census Cards and application packets often contain birth aftidavits filed by the parents. An index of the ACCEPTED Dawes Applicants for the Cherokee Nation is listed in Vol. II of "Cherokee Roots". Onlime: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/enroll/index.htm