Events › Researching Native Americans Using 20th Century Records: The Basics

A GENEALOGICAL PROGRAM SPONSORED BY
THE ST. TAMMANY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (STGS)
and THE ST. TAMMANY PARISH LIBRARY

Hybrid Meeting: Program will be offered in-person at
the St. Tammany Parish Library’s Slidell Branch in Slidell, LA
and as a virtual broadcast for those at home

Many families have stories of Native American ancestry. That lore passes from generation to generation, often lacking information on tribal affiliation and any supporting documentation. Are these stories true? Is there a way to prove them? What records are available? Analyzing the family legend is a must! Documenting these stories can be challenging, but rewarding.

Ms. Soper will describe the main 20th century record groups that contain information about Native American ancestry, the reasons these records were created, and where to find them. The focus of this presentation will be the Five Civilized Tribes that dwelled primarily in the southeastern United States. However, the research strategies and the records Ms. Soper describes may be used to research other tribes from different parts of the United States. She will also provide an overview of how to analyze the family story for provable facts.

Clarise Soper is a professional genealogical researcher and lecturer, specializing in genealogical research in Alabama and Mississippi, as well as forensic and genetic genealogy. She began tracing her own ancestry in 1978 and researching professionally in 1995. Ms. Soper was certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists® in 2014. She has assisted the U.S. Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, identifying WWII soldiers’ families for the repatriation of remains. She has also formerly served as board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists®, corresponding secretary for the Mississippi Genealogical Society, and coordinator for the ProGen program. A published author, Ms. Soper frequently gives presentations at genealogical and historical societies on a variety of topics.

DATE: Saturday, June 22, 2024

TIME: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Central Time

TWO LIVE VIEWING OPTIONS: IN-PERSON AND REMOTE BROADCAST

In-Person Attendance: Slidell Branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library

ADDRESS: 555 Robert Blvd, Slidell

At Home Viewing: St. Tammany Parish Library (STPL) Live Broadcast via Zoom

Everybody on the Waitlist will receive the Zoom link for the program.