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Chippewa Enumeration: Selected Records on Microfilm

The Chippewa were organized into numerous autonomous bands and lived in the Great Lakes region, primarily in present-day Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Although the Federal government never forcibly removed the Chippewa from the Great Lakes region, it created several reservations and created records documenting the inhabitants. The following information is a starting point in researching your Chippewa ancestors.

Microfilm Publication Title	Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info	National Archives Catalog Descriptions
Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940	M595	View series description in the National Archives Catalog See Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940 for links to digitized records.
Correspondence, Field Notes, and the Census Roll of All Members of Descendants of Members Who Were on the Roll of the Ottawa and the Chippewa Tribes of Michigan in 1870, and Living on March 4, 1907 (Durant Roll)	M2039	Digitized in the National Archives Catalog. See the following file units: Durant Roll Field Notes, Pages 1–25 Field Notes, Pages 26-57 Field Notes, Pages 58-65, and Correspondence
Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1880 Note: The letters relating to the Chippewa Agency can be found on rolls 149–168. While lists of people are rare among these records, National Archives staff has located three relating to the Chippewa: 1). An 1838 list of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie entitled to benefits at the Council Bluffs Agency. File H571, Roll 215. 2). 1878 lists of heads of families for Pillager and Lake Winnebigoshish Chippewa. File K259, Roll 166. 3). 1878 lists of heads of families for White Oak, Point and Mississippi Chippewa, File K266, Roll 166.	M234	Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

Microfilm Publication Title

Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info

National Archives Catalog Descriptions

Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940

M595

View series description in the National Archives Catalog

See Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940 for links to digitized records.

Correspondence, Field Notes, and the Census Roll of All Members of Descendants of Members Who Were on the Roll of the Ottawa and the Chippewa Tribes of Michigan in 1870, and Living on March 4, 1907 (Durant Roll)

M2039

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog. See the following file units:

Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824–1880

Note: The letters relating to the Chippewa Agency can be found on rolls 149–168. While lists of people are rare among these records, National Archives staff has located three relating to the Chippewa:
1). An 1838 list of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie entitled to benefits at the Council Bluffs Agency. File H571, Roll 215.
2). 1878 lists of heads of families for Pillager and Lake Winnebigoshish Chippewa. File K259, Roll 166.
3). 1878 lists of heads of families for White Oak, Point and Mississippi Chippewa, File K266, Roll 166.

M234

Digitized in the National Archives Catalog

Additional resources on the National Archives website:

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