Microfilmed Records Pertaining to Cherokee Removal, 1836-1839
The New Echota Treaty of May 1836 fixed the time after which Cherokee Indians who refused to leave their land in Alabama and Georgia voluntarily would be removed by force. In 1838 the War Department issued orders for General Winfield Scott to removed the remaining 2,000 Cherokees to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). There is no comprehensive list of all persons involved in the movement of the Cherokee to Oklahoma (often referred to as the "Trail of Tears"). The following microfilm publications are a good place to begin an examination of the Cherokee disturbances and removal between 1836 and 1839.
Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
| Microfilm Publication Title | Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info | ARC Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Census Roll of Cherokee Indians East of the Mississippi and Index to the Roll, 1835 | T496 |
|
| Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1881 | M234: M234A M234B M234C M234D M234E |
View series in ARC |
| Records of the Office of Indian Affairs Registers of Letters Received, 1824-1880 | M18 |
|
| Records of the Southern Superintendency of Indian Affairs, 1832-1870 | M640 |
|
| Documents Relating to the Negotiation of Ratified and Unratified Treaties with Various Indian Tribes, 1801-1869 | T494 | View series in ARC |
| Special Files of the Office of Indian Affairs, 1807-1904 | M574 | View series in ARC |
| Records of the Cherokee Indian Agency in Tennessee, 1801-1835 | M208 |
|
Military Records - Records of Fort Gibson
Fort Gibson served as the primary military staging area in the west during the Cherokee emigration. The forces in this post helped shield the Cherokees from the hostile Osage tribe during their trek to the Indian Territory, administered supplies, and dealt with rivalries among the Cherokees.
| Microfilm Publication Title | Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info | ARC Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters Records, Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, 1830-1857 | M1466 | View series in ARC |
| Returns From U.S. Military Posts, 1800-1916 | M617: M617A M617B M617C M617D M617E M617F M617G M617H |
View series in ARC |
Other Military Records
| Microfilm Publication Title | Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info | ARC Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Correspondence of the Eastern Division Pertaining to Cherokee Removal, April-December, 1838 | M1475 |
|
Additional resources on the National Archives web site:
- Online Tutorial for Genealogists and Family Historians: The Dawes Rolls
- About Census Records
- About Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
- American Indians in the Federal Decennial Census, 1790-1930
- Selected Microfilmed Records Pertaining to Eastern Cherokee Enumeration
- Native American Records at the National Archives
