Verifying Cherokee Blood Quantum: How to Determine If Your Grandma Was Full-Blood Cherokee

Introduction

Many Americans have heard stories or even believe that a great-grandmother or grandmother was full-blood Cherokee. However, claiming Cherokee heritage can be a complex and nuanced process. If your great-grandmother was 100% Cherokee, each subsequent generation would receive a smaller percentage of Cherokee blood: you grandmother would be 50%, your mother 25%, and you about 12.5%. The average amount from any great-grandparent is 12.5%, but there can be significant variation. This article will guide you through the process of verifying Cherokee blood quantum and the genealogical research necessary to substantiate such claims.

Understanding Cherokee Heritage

Between the late 1800s and mid-20th century, there were only a few thousand full-blood Cherokee females alive in the entire world. Most of these descendants are enrolled members of the Cherokee Nation or its Eastern Band. However, many Americans believe their great-grandmother was full-blood Cherokee, even though in reality, fewer than 1% have proof of such heritage.

Family Lore and Fact-Checking

Family lore is common, but it’s crucial to verify the accuracy of such claims. A high percentage of stories about full-blood Cherokee ancestry are actually false. Consequently, it’s important not to jump to conclusions based on family stories alone.

Before you begin any calculations, it’s essential to research the family story carefully. Verify if the claim is accurate. If you are part of a small cohort with high blood quantum Cherokee grandparents, you may be eligible for enrollment in the Cherokee tribal nation today or you could obtain a certificate of degree of blood quantum (CDIB).

It’s highly unlikely to accurately calculate blood quantum without first verifying the historical context. The vast majority of Americans who claim Cherokee ancestry do not have an actual connection to the tribe, nor did their ancestors have any significant Cherokee heritage.

Proving Cherokee Blood Quantum

Proving Cherokee heritage goes beyond simply believing the family story. You must conduct thorough genealogical research to substantiate your claim. The key to this is understanding the historical documentation available for full-blood Cherokees.

Connecting to the Dawes Roll

If your great-grandmother was from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, you must trace your family back to the Dawes Roll, which was closed in 1907. For those born after 1907, verify the names of your grandmother and her parents on the Dawes Roll. If they are not listed, you will need to trace their ancestors back to the Dawes Roll.

Connecting to the Baker Roll

If you believe your great-grandmother was from the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina, research back to the Baker Roll, which was closed in 1924. You will need to find her name or the names of her parents on the Baker Roll.

Full-blood Cherokees are rarely not found on these rolls, as they represent the official documentation of Cherokee membership during a critical period in the tribe's history.

Calculating Blood Quantum

Once you have verified the existence of a full-blood Cherokee ancestor through genealogical research, you can proceed to calculate your blood quantum. Blood quantum is a measure of the percentage of Native American ancestry an individual has and is often used for enrollment in tribal nations.

To calculate blood quantum, start by determining the percentage of Cherokee ancestry from your great-grandmother. For example, if your great-grandmother was 100% Cherokee, you would inherit 12.5%. This process can be repeated for each subsequent generation to calculate your overall blood quantum.

Obtaining a CDIB

If proving your Cherokee blood quantum is important to you, you may want to obtain a certificate of degree of blood quantum (CDIB). This document, obtained from the tribe, certifies your degree of Native American ancestry and is often required for enrollment in certain tribal programs.

To obtain a CDIB, most Cherokee tribal nations require that you prove your heritage through genealogical research and documentation. You will need to submit evidence that confirms your lineage back to a full-blood Cherokee ancestor. This information can be verified against the Dawes Roll or Baker Roll, as discussed above.

Conclusion

Verifying Cherokee blood quantum and determining if your great-grandmother was full-blood Cherokee involves significant genealogical research. This process requires meticulous documentation and a clear understanding of historical records and tribal documentation.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can undertake the necessary research to substantiate your claim and potentially obtain a CDIB, confirming your heritage and eligibility for tribal programs.