For Native American Allottees of the Five Tribes
The Muscogee Creek Nation
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is one of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole), a term that was placed upon us by Anglo Americans during the removal era of the mid-1800s. As Tribal Nations we already knew we were more civilized than the powers that were encroaching upon us with manifest destiny mindsets, being that we had for thousands of years already established multitudes of communal, cultural, spiritual, political, economic, and autonomous Tribal Town communities throughout what is known as the Southeastern United States. The Muscogee people “Mvskokvlke” had a sphere of influence in primarily all of Alabama and Georgia and extending out to parts of Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and possibly in Virginia and Kentucky where Archeological evidence is forthcoming as more studies and knowledge is gained about our prominent civilization.
In searching for your American Indian ancestor of the Five Civilized Tribes, it can become a daunting task and at times overwhelming. We are here to help you; therefore, we have provided a few links to assist you in your research! If you are using the paid subscription to Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com, you are already on the right track. If you have links that do not cost and still provide pertinent information feel free to post them in the comments below. Mvto! (Thank you)
First question of your search would be: Were my ancestors living in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) between 1898-1906? If yes, find out if they enrolled through the Dawes Commission. Originally the Commission started enrollment records in 1896, but it was a vague enrollment swamp of procedures where people from all over the U.S. wanted to “get on the rolls” so they could “get Indian Land.” This proved to be a disaster in an effort to dissolve tribal lands but they continued on with a modified system in 1898. If your ancestor was born after 1906 they will not be on the Dawes Roll, they are called “too laters.” But you may still find information on them through probates or family members who were on the Dawes Roll.
Documents I have found while researching these links; Creek Roll Cards, court documents such as; the competency hearing of my great grandparents, newspaper articles, the Will probate of my 3rd great grandfather Tuckabache (we think this Will was bogus), a few guardian records. Good luck to you and comment or email us if you have any questions.
ALL LINKS ARE FOUND BELOW
1.) Find out if they are on the Dawes Rolls. My favorite site for this is the Oklahoma Historical Society (but you can get it through Ancestry.com also.) For this process, spelling is very important. I will sometimes use a first letter or letters so at least similar names will populate and I take it from there. If you have the exact spelling as the Dawes Rolls even better.
2.) Keep track of their Dawes roll number and card number this will help you identify your relative for future research. On the card, you will see other family members and or relatives that are enrolled. It will tell you their blood quantum, who their parents are, and if they were living at the time of enrollment. It will also reveal their tribal town. Remember, Mvskokvlke are matriarchal so follow the mothers and grandmothers to find what tribal town you are from.
3.) In their land allotment jacket, you should find the legal description of their land allotment and their Creek Roll Card. This will start you on the path of learning more about your ancestors as well as what happened to their land allotment. These records will tell you a part of their history. It will have the Section, Township, and Range, in that order. You will need these coordinates when researching land records.
a.) You will also find their Land Allotment Selection Interview/Interrogation. 90% of our Mvskoke ancestors did not speak English many times you will see the name of their interpreter. Mvskokvlke received 160 acres. This would be a 40 acre homestead and 120 acres of surplus land. These properties were not always located together. Some were not even in the same town. 4.) The link for the Tulsa County Clerk are free and available to the public. These are the land records that have information on the oil & gas leases, rental contracts, warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and other land information.
a.) To use the Tulsa County Tract Books click on the historical unplatted tract index. Identify the property you want to view and click on link. This will take you to the tract index. at the far right hand side will be a book number and page number. B.) Then under Real Estate Services click on the Book A1-2438 enter the book number under book under the book location and the page number where it reads page. This should take you to the document you wish to view. I have some experiences with documents not showing up or they are the wrong documents. 5.) The Gateway to Oklahoma History is an excellent no cost source for newspapers.
6.) Once you have found your family’s allotment Section-Township-Range you can look it up here.
Research Suggestions
Share your story with us
Fill out your information below, a short summary of your story and we will contact you.
Donate to help us with a traveling land allotment display so may share the stories of the allotment era.
The Voices of Our Mvskoke Ancestors
“In honor of our ancestors, who were under attack for their language, lands, heritage, and traditions, we continue the journey!”
Tatianna Duncan, Executive Director,
The Lucinda Hickory Research Institute
The Lucinda Hickory Research Institute 
