There were many people of Cherokee ancestry named West in Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico (and probably elsewhere). The following came recently form another list, and could be helpful to West researchers. Cherokee Genealogy and List of Rolls - Free Lookups Info from Jackie Wood, posted to Shannon Research List-Serve. Below is a list of each Census taken of the Cherokee Nation, what each role is, and when it was taken. At the end is the address used to get in touch with the Cherokee Nation about enrollment. There are 2 books that list all Cherokee Census done by the US Govt. One book for the Eastern Band, and one for the Western Band. Though it is not commonly known, western migration of the Cherokee Nation commenced well before the removal in 1838 known as the Trail of Tears. By the time the Eastern Cherokee arrived in northeastern Oklahoma in 1839, approximately 1/3 of the Cherokee Nation was already residing there. Records of how many people, and when, moved west are limited. It is known for a fact, that as early as the 1790's, some Cherokee moved into southeastern MO. It is probable that ther were already Cherokee settled in the MO area. Due to earthquakes and flooding in MO around 1812, most of the Cherokee moved into northwestern AR. Because of mounting political pressure, the United States entered treaties with the Cherokee in 1817 and 1819, for the purpose of acquiring Cherokee land in the east. Out of these treaties, the Cherokee had a choice of two alternatives. They could either enroll to move to the traded land in northwestern AR or they could file for a reservation of 640 acres in the east which would revert to the state upon their death or abandonment of the property. By treaty in 1828, the Cherokee ceded their lands in AR for lands in OK. There was also some incentive for those east of the Mississippi to join the Cherokee in OK. Below is a list of Rolls taken in response to these treaties. Reservation Rolls 1817: A list of those desiring a 640 acre tract in the east and permited to reside there. Emigraton Rolls 1817-1835: Those who filed to emigrate to AR country and after 1828, to OK. Henderson Roll 1835: A census of over 16,000 Cherokee residing in Alabama, GA, TN, and NC, to be removed to OK under the treaty of New Echota 1835 Mullay Roll 1848: This was a census of 1,517 Cherokee people remaining in NC after the removal of 1838. Siler Roll 1851: A listing of some 1700 Eastern Cherokee entitled to a per capita payment pursuant an act of congress in 1850 Chapman Roll 1852: Actual people receiving payment based on the Siler census. Swetland Rollf 1869: A list of Cherokee and their decendants on Mullay's roll for a removal payment authorization Hester Roll 1883: Census of Eastern Band (this roll is an excellent source of information, including ancestors,Chapman roll number, age, English name and Indian name. Chruchill Roll 1908: Taken to certify members of the eastern band. lots of info on this one, including degree of blood. Rejectees also are included. Guion Miller Roll 1909: Census of all Eastern Band, residing either east or west of the MS. Ordered by Court of claims as a result of a suit won by the Eastern Cherokee. A Court of Claims suit resulted in members of the Eastern Cherokee living either east or west of the MS, not including the Old Settlers, to be entitled to participate in monetary award by the Court, as result of various treaty violations. In order to participate, one had to be alive on May 28, 1906 and establish themselves as a member of the Eastern Cherokee, or a descendant of, at the time of the violated treaties. One lucky enough to find an ancester on this roll can find out a tremendous amount of information. Not only is the roll detailed, but copies of the actual applications are available, which in most cases, go back to the mid and early 1800's. Baker Roll 1924: This was suppossed to be the final roll of the Eastern Cherokee. The land was to be alloted and all were to become reqular citizens. Fortunately the Eastern Cherokee avoided the termination procedures, unlike their brothers of the Nation to the west. The Baker Roll Revised is the current membership roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in NC.. Western Band of Cherokee Since the Removal in 1838, there have been numberous census taken of those Cherokee now finding themselves west of the MS, instead of their homeland in the east. The most information and cross reference can be obtained by utilizing four major census as follow. Old Settler Roll 1851: A listing of Cherokee still living in 1851, who were already residing in OK when the main body of Cherokee arrived in the winter of 1839. Drennen Roll 1852: The first census of the new arrivals of 1839. Via the Trail of Tears The Dawes Roll 1898 - 1914 The final roll for allotting the land and terminating the Cherokee Nation of OK. The roll turned out to not be as final as it was expected to be. Upon the reorganization of the Cherokee Nation of OK in the 1970's, the Dawes Roll became the only means of certifying membership. To be enrolled by the Cherokee Nation, one must prove ancestry to a person enrolled by Dawes. Information on enrollment with the Cherokee Nation may be obtained by writing to: Cherokee Nation Tribal Registrar PO box 948 Tahlequah, OK 74465