How to prove American Indian heritage when you were adopted back in the 1950's?

"Lost Birds and Adoption Issues"

http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Ethnicity/The_Americas...

Native American Indian Genealogy

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/

Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet - Native American

http://www.cyndislist.com/native.htm

Indian Health Services - Native American Resources

http://www.ihs.gov/misc/links_gateway/sub_categori...

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/carolynegenealogy/

Carolyne's Genealogy Helper

Native American Genealogy:

Reconnecting With Your American Indian Heritage

http://www.native-languages.org/genealogy.htm

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Do your genealogy and try to find these supposed Cherokee ancestors. I say supposed because having Cherokee ancestors is like the most common myth ever in America when it comes to family background. Anyway, once you go back far enough and think you've found them, you can check the tribal rolls that the Cherokees or whatever tribe has and see if that person/persons are on the list. If they are on the list maybe you can become registered (idk the cherokee specific requirements to register sorry), if you aren't descended from a registered tribal member then you can't ever join the tribe. You have to prove that you are descended from someone who is on the tribal rolls to join any tribe, some have more specific requirements but that is always required. The whole thing can be a little complicated so once you find your relatives, you might want to contact someone who has more experience with this and get some help finding the person on the rolls, etc. Really though, this Q just sounds really weird sorry. Why are you so interested in joining and living there if noone in your family has had any records/contact with the Cherokee in over 120 years? What do you think you have in common with them after such a long time? Also life on the reservations isn't that great in a lot of ways- they are frequently poor and rural with few services and few job opportunities, plus most tribes really don't get that much money- if you're interested in getting govt payments or anything like that you'll be very very disappointed w/what you get lol. On some reservations land/housing is a big issue too, where my moms family is from there are tons of homeless people because of that. Oh- you don't need living members on record, but some recorded members are required- at least one. How long ago that can be prob. depends on the tribe. I'm registered (with different tribe) but my mom did it and I don't know much about the specifics sorry.

DNA testing is one biological way to confirm if genetically, you have native background. In all honesty, the record you were given is simply what they were TOLD, and it is completely possible that your bio mother did not have accurate information. It is probable, but not proof.

The other alternative is tracing your biological family, which requires that you have the name. Most adoption records are sealed (you knew this), but it does change, and the best persons to talk with, are persons who are experts in adoption issues. For all you know, you might have a sibling out there, who knows about you, and has posted somewhere, trying to find you. If that person has your birth date and location, that often will get around the sealed records. I am not an expert in the routes to take for an adoption search.. I do know that there isn't any one, fixed answer. You know the orphanage.. the odds are that mom was from somewhere in that area/ state, so focus there.

I also would check into whatever movements/ groups are strongly behind opening Native American adoption records. They MAY be more aware of changing legislation that backs their efforts to get records open. I doubt that the tribe has information... they would only have info if mom was actually enrolled. And for that, of course, you still need a name.

You can go to the national geographic website where they have a good explanation of dna and links to various sites. It does cost approximately $100 and will let you know if you are of a certain indian heritage. Previous to the 70's children were adopted out of tribe but since then the authorities are obligated to get the information. There may be information even if you think there isn't. There are ways of appealing the closed documents, opening sealed records and finding out. Check online for various adoption rights groups for further advice.

Is there a way you could visit the location where the tribe originates from, and check out the records. Probably kept in the public library/registry council offices. You might track someone down that knew your mother... or at least knew of her family.

Hope this suggestion helps. I am not American but I know this method worked when my dad had to prove his Greek/Cephalonian heritage.

Contact the chief of the Chippewa -- there aren't that many of them, and if you know where you were born, it is probable that someone in the Chippewa nation knows your mother -- it really wasn't that long ago.

You can do a google search for the Chippewa nation, and contact the chief(s) by mail, email, or phone -- give him as many details as possible about your birth, etc.

Contact Indian Affairs..and there are sites to find natural parents...it was on Oprah a few weeks ago.

The government dosent really care, they have proved that for more than 100 years now.

i agree DNA test

DNA test.