Something I saw on another list prompted me to write a little reminder on the difference between primary and secondary sources and primary, secondary, and tertiary records, especially since we deal with such a different record set in Cherokee genealogy. I know it's all confusing sometimes, but the distinctions are important. There is a wonderful exposition on this subject here: http://www.progenealogists.com/sourcetypes.htm I highly recommend this article. It is well thought out and organized and is a valuable guide. For Cherokee researchers, it can be especially difficult to get the meanings straight and the information in focus. Dawes applications and census cards and Eastern Cherokee Applications, aka ECAs or Guion Miller applications are primary *sources* and *records* for enrollment by Dawes for allotment or acceptance for the Miller payroll but not all information contained in the applications is a primary record. The names of those involved and where they lived on that day are primary data as are other bits of personal information such as birth dates and place, parents' names, marriage, etc - if the applicant was also a participant in that event. A child born after a father's death can only provide secondary information on the father's death date. The good thing about Dawes applications is they contained copies of marriage certificates and licenses, or affidavits from the officiating minister, JP or Judge and affidavits for a child's birth, often divorce documents and affidavits on deaths. Many of these are considered primary records contained within the source, as in many cases affidavits are the only documents that exist for the event, but must be evaluated as to the quality of the information - that is did the person know first hand or are they reporting what they were told by someone else? ECAs contain a wealth of information, and the application itself is a primary *source* but only family composition and addresses on that day and personal information are primary data. Parents' names and possibly death dates are likely primary data, but grandparents' information is only primary if the applicant knew of it first hand, otherwise it is secondary or even tertiary. As you can see, the same document can be either a primary or a secondary source, depending on its purpose and origin and a primary or secondary record depending on when it is originated. All very confusing, eh? Happy time travels! Susan