Bureau of Indian Affairs Records Rolls

The BIA gathered, collected, and created numerous rolls involving American Indians to identify members of various tribes and bands, including Freedmen. These rolls were created as a result of allotments, legislation, removals, treaties, and other activities. The BIA then used these rolls to create additional documentation—often using the same rolls for multiple purposes. Because the purpose of the rolls varies, the information collected also varies.

BIA rolls can contain names, enrollment numbers, ages, family relations, locations, and more. Below is a sample of available rolls.

Detailed Information on Select Rolls

• Baker Rolls, 1924–1929 (Eastern Cherokee)
• Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940 (Multiple Agencies and Tribes)
• Roblin Roll, 1911–1919 (Indians in Western Washington not enrolled or allotted to an Indian Agency)
• Kern-Clifton Roll of Cherokee Freedmen, 01/16/1897
• Revised Copy of the Wallace Roll, ca. 1890–ca.1896
• Dawes Rolls, 1896–1914 (Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma)
• Guion Miller Rolls, 1906–1911 (Eastern Cherokee)

Examples of Rolls Related to American Indians

Please note: Most of these records have not yet been digitized.