“Indian Makes Attempt to Kill”. That’s the newspaper article heading I mentioned a few years back in the Facebook group, “Indian Territory and Oklahoma History” in order to share about my Uncle Cicero Coley shooting through the window of his white guardian’s house in an attempt to kill him for stealing his land allotments.
I had come to what I thought was the end of my years of research about my Coley family members and I hoped that perhaps this last-ditch attempt might spur some interest. Wouldn’t you know, it worked! A distant cousin of mine reached out to me and introduced me to another cousin, uncovering some missing pieces to my family story puzzle.
(I’m still looking for more Coley family members so if you know of any Choctaw Coleys, please reach out to me!)
Tracing lineage and finding the history and stories of our American Indian ancestors is quite the challenge. But today my guest is here to bring you (and me) some hope. Meet my guest, Gwen Takes Horse, a Genealogist at Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma who’s here to help us understand how to trace our Native roots!
The information Gwen shares is not just for Choctaws – it can apply to several other tribes. And she also has some good tips for us in general that can apply to anyone.
Take a listen, y’all and feel free to share your family stories with us if you’d like – we love to hear them!
If you’re Choctaw, the Choctaw Nation Genealogy Department can be reached by emailing genealogy@choctawnation.com or 800-522-6170 (ask for the Genealogy Department).
Check out the group I mention in the episode: Indian Territory and Early Oklahoma History, 1800 - 1957: https://www.facebook.com/groups/687213838053719
Tracing your Native American roots:
National Indian Law Library: https://narf.org/nill/resources/roots.html
Ancestry.com Research: https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Researching-Native-American-Ancestors
Dawes rolls: https://www.okhistory.org/research/dawes
American Indian Records & Resources: https://www.okhistory.org/research/americanindians
Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/
Newspapers: https://www.newspapers.com/
Fold3: https://www.fold3.com/?group=1
Family Tree: https://www.familytree.com/
Native ChocTalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nativechoctalkpodcast
All Podcast Episodes: https://nativechoctalk.com/podcasts/
S2, E4 - 150 Years at Riverside Indian School: Timothy Yeahquo, Kiowa”
S2, E3: Sarah Elisabeth & Lynda Kay Sawyer, Ancestral History & Anniversary Of Tushpa’s Story
S2, E2, Chief Mushulatubbee & The Traditional vs Progressive Struggle, Steven Hunter Oklatubee
S2, E1, P2: Rachael Youngman, Part 2, The Choctaw Girl from Hog Creek
S2, E1, P1 - Rachael Youngman: The Choctaw Girl From Hog Creek
S1, E17: Steve & Seba Discuss Their New Book, “The Native American Contest Powwow: Cultural Tethering Theory”
S1, E16: Jim Thorpe – Great American Athlete (and Native Superhero)
S1, E15 - Jones Academy, Choctaw Nation Boarding School: Patrick Moore, Pawnee
S1, E14: Choctaw Nation’s Chief Gary Batton & Tribal Prosecutor, Kara Bacon on McGirt vs. Oklahoma
Moment of Silence by Stacy Williams
S1, E13: National Native American Heritage Month & Preserving the Stories of Those Who Came Before Us, Seth Fairchild, Choctaw
S1, E11: Welcome to First Americans Museum: Welana Queton, Osage/Cherokee/Creek
S1, E10 - You Won’t Find This in the History Books, Solomon Tonihka, Choctaw
S1, E9 - Fawn Tsatoke: The Kiowa Woman Who Came Back with a Vengeance
S1, Ep8 - LeRoy Malaterre, the Chippewa from Turtle Mountain Reservation
S1, E7 Francine Bray, Choctaw Ponies - the Unsung Heroes of the Trail of Tears
S1, E6 - WC Shofner - Choctaw Fighter Pilot, Family Man
S1, E5, P2: Monroe Tsatoke, Descendent of Hunting Horse, a Code Talker & The Kiowa 5
S1, E5, P1 - Monroe Tsatoke, Descendent of Hunting Horse, a Code Talker, & The Kiowa 5
S1, E4: Comanches, Snakes, and Sooners with Rand Weryackwe
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