Here are some links of interest you may find helpful if you have any Native American Indian heritage. Each link opens to their site away from this one. I include links to Native Americans as I have spent many years researching my grandfather's ancestors. I heard many stories about his mother coming from a reservation. There has been some confusion during my years of research whether his mother was from the Cherokee Nation or Creek Nation. One cousin, who has also done extensive research tells me she believes her to come from the Eastern Band which is closed to new members. When and if I do find the information I am seeking I will list it here. Anyone else who has the information, please contact me. If you have any stories about your own quest for your family heritage I will would gladly include them here or on our Reading Room page. My own American Indian ancestor surnames that I am researching are Chatman/Chapman, Stephens, Bullock, Choat and Hoopers. My grandfather, Charley Stephens, told me stories when I was growing up about his experiences being part Indian. According to his own personal account his mother was full blooded Indian and his father was a red headed Irishman. Most of the brothers and sisters had dark hair like his mother, but he had his father's red hair and pale skin. He experienced prejudice on both sides of his parents families. When his mother passed away the children had to be split up to stay with other families so his father could work. The intention was to have the children stay with family until he was able to send for them. Grandpa said the family on the reservation did not want him staying with them because of his red hair. They felt he was to white. The family in town didn't want him staying with them because they considered him a "half breed". At that time it was not safe to claim your Indian background. There was a German family in town that were friends of the family and offered to take him in. All of the children were sent to whoever would care for them, until their father returned. I do not remember when Grandpa said his father did come back for them. However, he did say his baby sister was never found. The family that had been taking care of her had moved away. At one point, during my research, I thought I had discovered that she had died as an infant. Another researcher had discovered a baby named Frankie that was believed to be a girl. I actually do not know, so it could be possible that her name was Frankie. However, I did find that John and Edith had a child named Frank Stephens, that died in 1911 at 9 months of age.
MISSOURI INDIAN LAWS This explains why you may not be able to find your family under the Government Rolls. I have hit brick walls at every turn trying to locate the exact tribe my grandfather told me about. My grandfather told me his family had passed down the story of how his family had moved from Oklahoma to Missouri when white men took their land. He said his grandparents told him they had owned Oklahoma before it was taken from them. I may not be able to ever find the original records, but, I can continue to pass down my grandfather's words.
If you have any Native American ancestors or if you just love history, you will enjoy the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Lakota Winter Counts ~ An Online Exhibit ~ I include their link because I think you will find it very entertaining.