The American Indian was accorded full citizenship under the Snyder Act of 1924. Prior to that, I believe individual states accorded those of Indian ancestry rights depending on where they lived and the circumstances. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was responsible for the Indians who were put on reservations and still, today, are supposed to represent them and the issues they bring to the table. However, we have been making treaties with Indians since the 1700s and all of them had clauses that granted the Indians certain rights and privileges which were never actually accorded to them. I would check with the state in question and ask the questions of the Attorney General's office. Specific tribes have information regarding their history with the American government in the 1800s. Many Indian people made contributions to our country through their service during the war periods as guides and translators. Some even served in the military. There are special census records maintained for the Indians who were placed on reservations and records of claims made on behalf of children born to marriages and/or unions between whites and those of the Indian race. If you know what tribe your ancestor allegedly belonged to, or might have been part of, it would help to check out the Indian census rolls and see if possibly she appears either as a member of the tribe or someone who had a claim made on her behalf. I know I have in my own family Cherokee Indian from my great-great grandmother who also lived in MO and was married to my Scottish/Irish grandfather after the Civil War. I hope this helps you. Judy Neu Springwater, NY .