The Many Different Rolls of the Cherokees and the Genealogical Value of Each
When people begin researching their ancestry with the hope of finding a roll number they think, “Oh, finding my ancestor is easy.” I know that is what I thought over twenty years ago when I started my research. In truth, it may be easy for some to just look on the Dawes Roll and say, “There they are!” but most typically it is harder than that. The final goal is locating a family member on the Dawes Roll, but first, you have to research and figure out who in your family tree is most likely to be listed. That is where the other Cherokee Rolls can be beneficial.
In this post, we will learn about each roll, why they were created, who was required to sign, and where you can go to research them. Unfortunately, not all rolls are available to search online. The larger, more important rolls are available and I will add a link to their search engine. The first official rolls were conducted in 1817, in lands east of the Mississippi River.
