Oklahoma USGenWeb Logo

 
 
 
Oklahoma USGenWeb Logo
 
USGenWeb Project Logo
 
What's New?
Books
Cemeteries
Cherokee Nation
Creek Nation
Cities & Towns
Courthouse Information
Family Genealogies
Funeral Homes
Genealogical Societies
History of Muskogee Co
Historic Muskogee Homes
Home Pages
Libraries
Look-Ups
Maps
Marriages
Museums
Myths, Legends & Stories
Newspapers -Information
Newspapers -Abstracts/transcriptions
Muskogee Newspaper Obituary Indexes
on the
(Muskogee County Genealogical Society Website)
Obituaries -1800s
People, Places & Things
Photo Gallery
Post Cards
Queries
Reunions
Schools
 
 
Muskogee Co. Mail List
 
Muskogee County Message Board
 
 
search this Site
 
 
Muskogee Co. Archives
USGenWeb OK Archives
Vital Records Office for Oklahoma
OKGenWeb
If you would like to adopt an OKGenWeb site, please visit here.
Muskogee County Genealogy and History
Weather In Muskogee
clear
image

Tips for Research In Muskogee County

The history of Oklahoma and that of Indian Territory are unique among the other U. S. states. For that reason it is important that you learn a little of the history before beginning your research in Muskogee County. Ancestry's Redbook has a helpful account of that history as well as an overview of the different types of records, when they became available, and some of the Libraries and Archives that have them.

One of the most important facts that you need to know is that Oklahoma became a state in November of 1907. Before that, Muskogee County was Indian Territory, part was Creek Nation and part was Cherokee Nation. The Historical Atlas of Oklahoma is a good source of maps with historical descriptions.

Since you've probably found clues that tell you your ancestors were in Indian Territory or later in Oklahoma you may have some idea of where they lived. The U. S. Federal Census records are a good place to start to help you determine their presence. These records begin in 1900 for Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory. 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 are available for the State of Oklahoma. The WPA produced a Soundex index for 1900-1920. There are good indexes for census online now but remember that the 1900 census has more than one schedule. The general population schedule and the Indian schedule. Don't give up on finding your ancestor without checking both.

Whether you are planning a research trip to Muskogee County or are going to do your research from home, Muskogee Public Library is the place to start. For a description of the materials and research services available at the library, read my library pages. Most of the county records you would need to check that are pre 1930 are found on microfilm at the library. Read my pages about the County Court Clerk's office and the County Clerk's office to see what records are located in each. Save yourself time as well as money by knowing where to write, call, email or go for each record that you need.

While the Internet is a wonderful research tool, you'll never be able to find everything about your ancestors here. A good researcher looks for the original records and documents that their ancestors produced and those are most often found only in the local courthouses, libraries, museums and archives.


Dividing Line

Muskogee History Links
Thomas-Foreman Historic Home
Five Civilized Tribes Museum
U.S.S. Batfish and War Memorial Park and Museum
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Three Rivers Museum
Muskogee and Muskogee County History on Facebook
Muskogee Community Calendar

Muskogee's Sister Counties
Wagoner Cherokee Sequoyah
Haskell McIntosh Okmulgee


This web site is sponsored by The USGenWeb Project which is dedicated to offering free information on the web.
All of the information found on any of the pages of this web site belongs to the submitter. It may be freely copied for your
personal use. None may be used by anyone for any "for profit" endeavor. If you find something of value on these pages
that you want to use, please LINK to the page, do not copy it and put it on your own site. Please contact the submitter of the information for permission to use their information.



Dividing Line


E-mail
Sue

Please only use my email address if you have
questions or comments or to submit information.
Thank you for understanding.
Sue Tolbert


Thanks to Welter Web Works for the background graphics.

  Site Meter
Since Oct 13, 1996

Rhio Gillis

 UsGenWeb Project

"This Page Was Last Updated Wednesday, 27-Dec-2023 22:15:00 EST"

© Sue Tolbert 2023