Three step process to search Dawes Final Rolls using National Archives approach.
Step 1: The first step is to identify the Roll Number for the particular person of interest. In this example we will find the roll number using National Archives website.
Step 2: The second step is to identify the Card number that is associated with the Roll number found in step one. To convert a Roll number to a Card Number we will use the AccessGenealogy website.
Step 3: Once you have identified the tribe name and card number you can can select the appropriate Enrollment reel from our listing then flip to the appropriate page to see the detailed information.
In our example we will search for Eli Jacob who was in the Choctaw Tribe and obtain documents related to his son Henry Jacob.
Step 1 National Archives: Launch the National Archives web-page using this link => National Archives – Final Rolls Index
Their website has an alphabetical index for the Final Rolls although they do not offer an automated search. As such, you need to click on the page numbers and find the page that contains your name.
We are looking for last name Jacob and first name Eli which happens to be on page 42 in the Choctaw section.
This initial step with the National Archives gave us two data points. Eli Jacob was in the Choctaw Tribe and his information is on Roll 2173. Unfortunately knowing the roll number is not enough information. We need to know the associated Card number and Reel number. On to step 2.
Step 2 Determine Card number from Roll Number: We will use the AccessGenealogy website to identify the card number for Eli Jacobs by entering his roll number.
Launch the AccessGenealogy webpage using this link => AccessGenealogy – Search the Final Rolls Index
On the AccessGenealogy website we will search the Final Rolls by the roll number that we obtained from the National Archives website. For Eli Jacobs enter 2173 and click search.
The AccessGenealogy search by roll number returns the following information which has the critical missing piece of information, Eli Jacob’s information is on Card number 843.
Recap: We acquired two critical pieces of information. Eli Jacob was in the Choctaw Tribe and his card number is 843.
Step 3 Enrollment Document:
We now go back to our site and find the appropriate link the enrollment reel for Choctaw by blood with a card number of 843.
http://www.ancestrypaths.com/five-civilized-tribes/
Once on that page, scroll down to the Applications for Enrollment of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes,1898-1914 and look for the Choctaw by Blood reel that would contain card number 843.
Reel 0005 Choctaw by Blood 537-857 <= look for this Enrollment Reel
Reel number 0005 contains Choctaw by Blood cards ranging from number 537 to number 857 so our card can be found in that book and will be quite far toward the end.
Last step: Click on Reel 0005 which will open up the book and and flip toward the end to find Eli Jacob on card number 843. Because the book is quite long, you can click on the lower section of the book to advance to a page further into the book. Information for Eli Jacob and his son Henry start on page 1,920 out of 2,107.