Northeast

United States – Northeast

The Northeast is one of the most important regions for Indigenous genealogy in the United States. Research can involve tribal nations, colonial records, mission and church records, land records, federal Indian records, state archives, historical societies, newspapers, and records created by communities whose members later moved to other parts of North America.

Tribes & Nations States Records Archives Databases Research Workflow

Tribes & Native Nations of the Northeast

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Haudenosaunee / Iroquois Confederacy

The Northeast has deep connections to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and its constituent nations. Genealogical research may cross modern borders and historical jurisdictions.

Wabanaki Peoples

Maine and the wider northeastern region are central to research involving Wabanaki peoples.

Southern New England

Long Island & New York

Other Northeastern Peoples & Communities

  • Nipmuc
  • Abenaki communities
  • Lenape / Delaware peoples
  • Munsee communities
  • Montauk
  • Niantic
  • Pequot communities
  • Shinnecock
  • Stockbridge-Munsee

Historical identity and present-day tribal citizenship are not necessarily the same. Always distinguish historical communities, state-recognized groups and federally recognized tribes.

Official Federal Tribal Directory

The Bureau of Indian Affairs maintains a directory of federally recognized tribal governments and related information.

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State-by-State Research

Maine

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New Hampshire

Vermont

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Delaware

Maryland

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Genealogy Records & Record Types

Federal & BIA Records

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Important Record Categories

  • Indian census records
  • Tribal enrollment records
  • Allotment records
  • Agency correspondence
  • Land and property records
  • School records
  • Mission and church records
  • Marriage and death records
  • Military records
  • Estate and probate records
  • Newspapers
  • Photographs and maps

Native Northeast Portal

One of the most valuable regional resources for Southern New England research is the Native Northeast Portal, which brings together historical materials and information relating to Native communities and individuals.

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Archives, Libraries & Historical Collections

National Archives and Records Administration NARA Catalog Library of Congress – Indigenous Peoples Resources Library of Congress – Digital Collections New York State Archives Vermont Historical Society Massachusetts Archives Rhode Island State Archives New Jersey State Archives Pennsylvania State Archives Delaware Public Archives Maryland State Archives

Genealogy Databases & Digital Resources

Genealogy Platforms

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Books, Newspapers & Digital Collections

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Research Workflow for Northeast Native American Genealogy

  1. Start with the earliest documented ancestor and establish the exact location.
  2. Identify the community, nation, reservation, town, county or mission connected to the family.
  3. Check state and local civil records before assuming a federal tribal record exists.
  4. Use NARA's state-by-state BIA guides to identify agencies and record groups.
  5. Search census, church, school, land, probate and newspaper sources together.
  6. Check tribal and community sources where available.
  7. Follow migration patterns into Canada, the Great Lakes, Oklahoma and other U.S. regions.
  8. Document variant spellings, colonial names, translated names and historical terminology.
  9. Separate genealogical evidence from questions of present-day tribal citizenship or enrollment.

Continue Your Research

The Northeast is connected to many other Indigenous research regions through migration, removal, adoption, marriage and relocation.

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