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The best way to start Native American ancestry is to start with the known and work backwards to the unknown.  Follow the same research techniques as you would for a non-indigenous ancestor.  Do not try to go from a particular group forward.  When possible, interview family members.  They may recall stories indicating that an ancestor had Native American ties or relatives.  Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence.  There are many different indigenous groups and almost all of these were forcibly moved during America's westward expansion.  To gain a better understanding of which indigenous cultures may have been present at the time the researcher’s ancestor was residing in the area, it may be necessary to research the county, regional, and/or state in which the ancestor lived.   

The best way to start Native American ancestry is to start with the known and work backwards to the unknown.  Follow the same research techniques as you would for a non-indigenous ancestor.  Do not try to go from a particular group forward.  When possible, interview family members.  They may recall stories indicating that an ancestor had Native American ties or relatives.  Once the ancestor is identified, do significant research on Native Americans in the area of your ancestor’s residence.  There are many different indigenous groups and almost all of these were forcibly moved during America's westward expansion.  To gain a better understanding of which indigenous cultures may have been present at the time the researcher’s ancestor was residing in the area, it may be necessary to research the county, regional, and/or state in which the ancestor lived.   

Several resources about Native American ancestry can be found in the Genealogy Department.  Many of them pertain to the “Five Civilized Tribes” of the Southeastern United States.  These included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and the Seminole.  Just a brief mention will be made about these tribes since these tribes are not found in Ohio. On page 29 of the book, ''Tracing Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes: Southeastern Indians Prior to Removal'', a simplified map showing the territory of the five Civilized Tribes is included.  From the years 1600-1800, the Seminole Indians were located dominantly in what is today the state of Florida. The Creek were located in the state of Georgia, the western portion of South Carolina, and the central, eastern, and southeastern Alabama.  The Choctaw were located in the western half of Alabama and the central and southern portion of Mississippi.  The Chickasaw were located in northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, and southwestern Kentucky.  The Cherokee were located in northern Alabama, northern Georgia, northern and central South Carolina, eastern half of Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and a small portion of southern West Virginia.  Many records of the "Civilized Tribes" were kept by the Federal government.   

Several resources about Native American ancestry can be found in the Genealogy Department.  Many of them pertain to the “Five Civilized Tribes” of the Southeastern United States.  These included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and the Seminole.  Just a brief mention will be made about these tribes since these tribes are not found in Ohio. From the years 1600-1800, the Seminole Indians were located dominantly in what is today the state of Florida. The Creek were located in the state of Georgia, the western portion of South Carolina, and the central, eastern, and southeastern Alabama.  The Choctaw were located in the western half of Alabama and the central and southern portion of Mississippi.  The Chickasaw were located in northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, and southwestern Kentucky.  The Cherokee were located in northern Alabama, northern Georgia, northern and central South Carolina, eastern half of Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and a small portion of southern West Virginia.  Many records of the "Civilized Tribes" were kept by the Federal government.   

Many researchers have great difficulty tracking their Native American ancestors.  If your indigenous ancestors were alive during the relocation of the Native Americans, or if they were born following the relocation, then their name should appear on the rolls compiled by the Federal government.  A couple other options may exist.  Your ancestors may have chosen not to move westward during forced relocations. Instead, they may have accepted a federal grant of land near their home and became an American citizen.  Another option may be that the ancestor may have disappeared into a remote area that white settlers and authorities rarely penetrated. Finally, it is possible your ancestor lived at an earlier time, or was not an indigenous person, despite family folklore.

Many researchers have great difficulty tracking their Native American ancestors.  If your indigenous ancestors were alive during the relocation of the Native Americans, or if they were born following the relocation, then their name should appear on the rolls compiled by the Federal government.  A couple other options may exist.  Your ancestors may have chosen not to move westward during forced relocations. Instead, they may have accepted a federal grant of land near their home and became an American citizen.  Another option may be that the ancestor may have disappeared into a remote area that white settlers and authorities rarely penetrated. Finally, it is possible your ancestor lived at an earlier time, or was not an indigenous person, despite family folklore.