November was Native American Heritage Month in the United States. My involvement in Native American genealogical research, historical research, enrollment issues, court cases, and making family connections for others is an important part of my work.
It began with a call from a lawyer. Nothing bad, but a twist in my professional genealogist career was on the way. He verified my name and said he noted I was a Board-certified genealogist (Board for Certification of Genealogists). The Native American law firm needed a researcher with credentials and experience in research to work on cases for a Native American Tribe. The law firm and Tribal officials approved of using my services. I was honored. I do not have Native American blood. I would have been further honored to be able to say that I did.
The work was extensive, the case was solved with in-depth genealogical and historical research. A couple trusted subcontractors assisted in the work. I testified in a court proceeding. The case was won.
The records collected and the large number of names, dates, places, and relationships helped in additional cases for the same Tribe and law firm. We suggested to combine the work and start a database for future reference for me or the Tribe in its own work. No sense revisiting the same records over and over. A Tribal Archive began and one of my subcontractors (my oldest son) was hired away to handle that and other work for the Tribe. A dozen years later, many extended trips to the U.S. National Archives (NARA), historical societies, courthouses, libraries, and some online work, the project ended for my sons and me.
Then I did work for other law firms and Tribes around the U.S. based on recommendations from the original law firm and its attorneys. More detailed reports and court testimony and opportunities to encourage more complete citations. Enrollment department consultations when requested, a multi-year contract as chair of an enrollment committee, and work with Tribes seeking federal recognition. I was still doing some work for individual clients with U.S. and Canadian research and others with specifically Native American research needs.
Until recently my oldest son still worked part time with me. His background complemented my work. We both read many older Bureau of Indian Affairs documents at NARA and some online. Many were shocking and not in a good way. The prejudice was way too evident. There were some good things, but those were few and far between. The way the government treated Native Americans, including young children, still makes me shudder.
On an upbeat side, several occasions still make me smile at my research results.
• Presenting a Tribal member with a newspaper photo of her great grandmother. The first time she saw a photo of her.
• Presenting a different Tribal member with the documentation proving that her half-brother truly was her half-brother. This was found by reading page by page, file by file at NARA.
• Showing a Tribal Chairman a photo of his grandfather and his chickens. It was found at NARA.
• Locating the proof that a man was truly the grandchild of full blood Native Americans.
• Providing a Tribe with an original document of one of its base rolls used for enrollment purposes. It was not in an expected type of file at NARA but was extremely useful with its added notations not present in other versions.
2025 means continued general genealogy client work with U.S. and Canada connections. I am still planning to be involved with Native American research in the U.S. and some in Canada and the joy that positive results bring to others and to me. I hope to fit in some more time on my own ancestry. A couple of my great great grandparents still taunt me!
© 2024, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.
