The Complete Seminole

Description

This comprehensive work brings together the many sources of Seminole records that came into being because of the General Allotment Act of 1897, in a fashion that is helpful to genealogists and historians alike. The contents of The Complete Seminole are very extensive. The work begins with an extremely informative explanation of the eligibility criteria and enrollment process employed by the Dawes Commission and explanations of how Seminole (and other Civilized Tribes) lands were allotted and distributed among the eligible. Supporting Mr. Ernest’s historical narrative is an extensive appendix containing facsimile documents, a bibliography, a discussion of the Seminole Town Band System, and more. At the heart of the volume are various schedules or chapters that identify the eligible Seminoles living in Indian Territory. It is important to note that the key finding aid in the records used is the individual’s Dawes Enrollment Number (Dawes #). Every schedule in the book contains that number. It is important because, invariably, there were several citizens with the same name but not the same Dawes Number. In addition to the Dawes enrollment number, there is an additional identifier, the Tribal Enrollment Number (TEN). This was a number carried forward to the Dawes Enrollment Card from the tribal records provided to the Dawes Commission.