Black Indian Genealogy Research: African-American Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes, An Expanded Edition

by Angela Y. Walton-Raji

In 1907, the Indian Territory became the State of Oklahoma. To qualify for the payments and land allotments set aside for the Five Civilized Tribes, the former slaves of these nations had to apply for official enrollment, thus producing testimonies of immense value to today's genealogist. In this expanded edition, Ms. Walton-Raji shows where to find and how to use the Indian Freedman Records, discusses Black Indians and Tri-Racial groups, explores the lifestyle of Indian ancestors, and presents Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole case studies. Appendices include: documents from a federal census, Indian surnames from the 1900 census, freedmen surnames from the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes, surnames of Tri-Racial isolates, and miscellaneous Black Indian documents. This volume is further enhanced by a bibliography and an index to names and subjects.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Angela Walton-Raji for the past two decades has been in the forefront of African-Native American genealogy research and study. Her knowledge of the relations between the Five Civilized Tribes and African slavery has opened new areas of knowledge and understanding. Mrs. Walton-Raji's study of post-Civil War Indian Territory in regards to race and culture has broken new ground for current research on the relationships between blacks and Indians.

Reviews

[Kathleen Riley-Daniels]

Interesting historical perspective of the United States. Having lived in Oklahoma, this book was particularly interesting to me. I love learning more about genealogy and this book was a great addition to my genealogical skill set.

In 1907, the Indian Territory became the State of Oklahoma. To qualify for the payments and land allotments set aside for the Five Civilized Tribes, the former slaves of these nations had to apply for official enrollment, this produced testimonies of great value to today's genealogist.

In the expanded edition, Ms. Walton-Raji shows where to find and how to use the Indian Freedman Records, discusses Black Indians and Tri-Racial groups, explores the lifestyle of Indian ancestors, and presents Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole case studies.

Appendices include: documents from a federal census, Indian surnames from the 1900 census, freedmen surnames from the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes, surnames of Tri-Racial isolates, and miscellaneous Black Indian documents. This volume is further enhanced by a bibliography and an index to names and subjects.