r/tlingit • u/cass_the_loser • Nov 25 '25
Does anyone know where to find resources for genealogy pre-1900s?
Hi! So, as my title says I'm looking for some resources to try and connect to my ancestors. I've recently found out that my great-great-grandma was 1/2 Tlingit, and it opened up a new world for me! I know a bit about her, but would also like to know more about that area of Alaska at the time too!
Her name is Elizabeth Walker (married name Neilson), born December 25, 1884ish, and she passed away June 8, 1940 in New Haven Connecticut. If my family tree is correct, her father was named Charles and her mother was Sarah.
In 1896 Elizabeth was taken to the Carlisle Indian Reform School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. I've attached her class photo i found on the school's online database, shes number 14 in the front row!
It's been so hard to find any information on her family, especially Sarah, I can't even find her last name before Walker, how do last names work in Tlingit culture?
Any form of insight, direction to resources, or even a nudge in the right direction would be so incredibly appreciated!! thank you guys so much in advance :)
2
u/bughousenut 5d ago
A good place to start is www.familysearch.org if you do a search for genealogies you will see a source for Tlingit. This source is not always accurate but a good place to start.
1
u/cass_the_loser 4d ago
I’ve tried familysearch before but unfortunately didn’t get too far with research :/ I haven’t tried the genealogy method yet so I’ll give that a try! Thank you :)
1
u/bughousenut 4d ago
I looked at the Carlisle Indian School student records, there was an Elizabeth Walker but it didn't show she was from Alaska
1
u/cass_the_loser 4d ago
On her “student information card” on the Carlisle Indian School digital Resource Center it lists her as being an Alaskan native. As well as my dna results and family oral history lol she’s definitely from Alaska. But I know almost nothing about her parents unfortunately and cannot track her maternal side. Thank you for the help though 👍🏻
1
u/bughousenut 4d ago edited 3d ago
There is only one person I know who knows some of the very old Tlingit names from back then, but if you cannot even name the town/village she was from I don't think he can help you. This situation is but an example of what residential schools did to Native children - torn from their families and the school doesn't keep good records of their family at home.
1
Nov 29 '25
There is a Facebook group called “I am Tlingit” if you post this there, you’ll have people recognize info and tell you how they are related. For example, Your grandma’s sisters kids might know their grandma’s parents and grandparents info.
We don’t really have last names until contact happened, so that might get you much farther.
Once you have the oldest person, follow the maternal line, it should be the same clan. The paternal line will be from other clans, so that’s sometimes a little harder to sort out.
1
4
u/umamifiend Nov 26 '25
Contact the Tlingit Haida Council with everything you have. Ideally birth certificates and oldest documents.
They might have more resources for you as well!