Cherokee Registry

The Cherokee Heritage Documentation Center maintains a registry and database of individuals claiming Cherokee blood. The center assists people in obtaining the documentation needed for tribal enrollment and operates as a repository of cultural, historical, anecdotal and genealogical information. The public information on this website is provided as a free resource to aid in research, genealogy and education about the Cherokee people.

The Cherokee Nation encourages people of Cherokee heritage to take pride in their heritage and become active in heritage groups even if they are not eligible for citizenship. Many people with genuine Cherokee heritage will never meet the qualifications to become citizens in a federally recognized tribe. The Cherokee Nation does not question anyone’s claim of heritage or ancestry.(1)

Cherokee Heritage Documentation Center, cherokeeregistry.org and cherokeeregistry.com are owned and operated by Cherokee Nation tribal members. This is an independent entity, not affiliated with nor endorsed by any tribe, heritage group, or government agency. Cherokee Heritage Documentation Center does not claim to be and is not considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian tribe or an Indian organization for any purpose and receives no federal or state funding.

As a person of Cherokee heritage, it is in your best interest to be familiar with the task force on fraudulent tribes.

History

The genealogist's plan for the original website was to be a place where people having Cherokee ancestors could document their heritage and add information to a shared database. This would aid them in their research through software and genetic algorithms connecting anecdotal information with verifiable documentation. There was not enough participation in the beta test for this to be succesful.

An alternative plan considered using the Scone engine with marker-passing algorithms. In the meantime the Center offered to those with Cherokee ancestry a certificate that simply explained the person had entered their information into the registry database declaring their Cherokee heritage. The certificate did not claim that the person was a Cherokee citizen, nor that they had enrolled into a tribe. For many it was the first step that eventually led them to complete their enrollment in a federally recognized tribe because it encouraged them to continue their research. For others it was a representation of pride in their ancestors. However, due to misunderstanding and abuse of the program we have chosen to no longer provide this service. We will however continue to bring together the best information possible to aid people in their research.

The site is temporarily under new management by the IT and associates. We will continue to be a resource of authentic genealogical and cultural information. We hope to bring together the expertise, writings and voices of the most prolific and honored of the Cherokee Nation together with those who love and support their interests. We will give a voice to the elders, political representatives, artists and citizens of the Nation. It will be our pleasure to illuminate news, information and resources related to the Cherokee East and West, as well as those communities recognized by the Nation in California and New Mexico. We will join with the Nation in their efforts against fraud and misinformation.

As we undergo these renovation efforts, we ask not only for your patience and support, but also for your continued participation in helping us offer the best possible genealogical information. Please continue to share your family history, anecdotes and stories using our contact page. These contributions can offer clues which can soon be gleaned by high quality intelligent software that will aid many in getting passed brick walls.

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