Thanks Alli. I appreciate your advice and suggestions. I didn't realize that I could search at CNO directly. I get their emails, even took language lessons, but haven't checked their main website in a long time. Could you point me to the right part of the website to look for my names? all the best, Beth *** Beth, The best way to find out who might be right is look for that particular reference, even on the CNO's page directly. They may not "specifically" be on a chunk of land labeled or designated as a "rez" like many others......when their land is limited to a certain amount & in order to get benefits, land, etc & they have to live in a designated area.......guess what......that's a reservation. They may not like that "title" but it doesn't make it less true. Its just something that you'll have to look into to make sure your using the right terminology, otherwise I wouldn't worry about it much :0) Do not ignore your family lore, not everyone's family was "documented" but it doesn't make them any less Indian or the lore to be false. There's a lot of truth's in "stories" just gotta pick out the facts from fiction to find the answer's. :0) Look at the names, the locations, the physical characteristic's (if you have pictures)...that stuff doesn't lie. Take a DNA test to test for the Indian Markers (I forget the right terminology for that) don't give up until you've exhausted all avenues & turned over every rock possible. The worse thing that can happen is that your ancestor's weren't Cherokee, but are of a neighboring tribe. Good luck :0)