Tamara StJohn Presents Genealogy for Dakota
People
Sisseton, South Dakota
When
I begin to research a family I start with a prayer and
smudging....
When
we explore our history we are looking at places and names
and things that occurred that maybe haven't been spoken
in many years. I keep in mind my grandfather's words that,
"You can read all you want, research everything...
but you will never really know all the things that led
up to the decisions that they made... those things were
based on survival... and you can not judge them"
We
have a hard and complicated difficult history and although
some may feel that there are ancestors that were "hostile
and responsible" or "traitors to their own"....it
is not our place to judge them or their decisions. So
as I look back I do that with a good heart and mind and
remain respectful and appreciative.
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The
goal is not the family tree but the story.
A wonderful way to honor elders in your family and community
Genealogy
is great way to navigate into our Dakota History even the traumatic
or complicated history in a way puts it into personal perspective.
Probate from
the BIA will often reveal a great of information but you will
have to fill out a FOIA request...sometimes takes awhile to
get
some are available at NARA National archives and records
Minnesota
Historical Society has a great collection for Dakota Family
History
Some Church
Records exist for some Dakota families, some baptismals by location
and era...
Placing ancestors
into 1862 History....can be really hard to do.... earlier rolls
are
1860 Mdewakanton Wahpekute Roll and the 1857 Sisseton/Wahpeton
Annuity Rolls only list head of house...
1855-1856
Mixed Blood Rolls for Half Breed Land Script
there are affidavits signed by the head house even verigy the
bloodline and blood quantum of children
Genealogy
forces you to learn your history, culture, and language!!
Question:
Where were your ancestors in 1862?
Genealogy can very powerful and healing. It gives you understanding,
shows your relatives and revitalizes your kinship ties and your
connection to places such as the homelands of reservations or
aboriginal territory
Question:
Who are your grandparents? What are their Dakota Names?
Native People always ask each other those type of questions....
Where are you from? What nation? What Tribe? Who are your relatives?....
The adoptees or "lost birds" search and then greatly
appreciate the history and knowledge
To posts from members of the group with their Dakota Family
names
Genealogy
Resources
Ancestry.com - paid resource
awesome thing they did was add the indian census rolls, searchable
data base....
Archive.org
Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music
& Wayback Machine Internet Archive is a non-profit digital
library offering...
They may have what you are looking for. I know that there are
a few rolls that are titled Dawes Rolls but for Dakota there
are rolls that were done or ordered to be done for the purpose
of the Dawes Act in 1887... those are available online but under
each tribe
Minnesota
Historical Society
Dakota Family History Research Guide
Census
Another good place for finding Dakota names is the 1900 Federal
Census and that has a special Indian Census that asks
"any other name if any" and it also asks what tribe.
All Federal Census as well as any roll are only as accurate
as the person being asked. Dates and spelling are often incorrect
but you choose what information you are going to work with in
looking at the federal I look for the section BIRTHPLACE AND
BIRTHPLACE OF FATHER; MOTHER
Newspapers
and obituaries
Free at
your local library of historical society
Family
history Centers thru the Latter Day Saints
MESSAGE BOARD FREE AND CREATED BY DAKOTA FOR DAKOTA
Sioux
Research-Dakota, Lakota, Nakota
Thank you
Tamara - Gloria