The example of George Guess will be used to illustrate step-by-step how this is done using the internet site, Ancestry. This example will show the use of a special version of Ancestry that can only be used at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The address for this site is http://www.ancestryinstitution.com/.
1. Get into ancestry.
2. On the home page, click on the 1900 Census.
3. Type in the following search terms. Note that the indexers spelled the last name as Guss not Guess.
Notice also a SECRET - Indian Territory, USA was typed into the "Lived In" box instead of a state.
4. Get to the following image where George Guess is shown with his wife, Betsy.
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1900 US Census for George Guess |
You should notice the following:
1. There is an upper and a lower section - The lower section is what makes this census so special.
2. The upper section shows the following for George Guess:
1. His birth date is Aug 1856.
2. He was born in Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
3. His father and mother were born in Georgia.
4. It shows similar information for his wife, Betsy and an orphan named Simon
3. The lower section shows the following for George:
1. George, his father and his mother were Cherokee.
2. George is 1/8 white. Even though he says he is full blood Cherokee, he has some white blood.
3. His wife, Betsy, and her parents were Cherokee.
4. Betsy has 0 white and therefore full-blood Cherokee.
This is would be an important part of proving that a person was a Cherokee Indian. If you are interested in proving that you are a Cherokee Indian go to http://www.cherokeeindianproof.com/.