Regina H. Blackstock, professional genealogist

What are EC Numbers?

Within a few minutes of talking to someone who has spent years proving their native ancestry they always quote at least one EC Number. So what is this number and how do you get one?

EC Numbers, or Eastern Creek Numbers, were created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, during their processing of land claim settlements ordered by the Indian Claims Commission. Settlements for descendants of Creek Indians who did not relocate were processed under Docket 21 (first ruling on 6/4/1951), Docket 272 (on 12/8/1971), Docket 275 (on 4/15/1970), and Docket 276 (on 12/15/1965).

The final ruling on Docket 21 (September 21, 1968) by the Indian Claims Commission ordered the United States "to provide for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Creek Nation of Indians in Indian Claims Commission docket numbered 21." Creek Indian descendants east of the Mississippi fought for, and won, the right to be included in this disbursement during the deliberations leading up to the 1968 ruling. Docket 21 provided for the disbursement of $3.9 million. Docket 276 added a little more than $1 million for 2+ million acres of land in Oklahoma ceded under the Treaty of August 7, 1856. Dockets 272 and 275 added additional funds with Docket 275 requiring a separate application process -- even if the applicant had already been found eligible under Docket 21, they were required to submit a separate application to apply for Docket 275 funds.

Each individual submitting a Docket claim was required to:

Keep in mind these applications were being completed and reviewed prior to the wide-spread implementation of many resources we take for granted today – such as computers, Xerox machines, “finding resources” such as census indexes, marriage indexes, etc., “genealogy” sections in local libraries, and even the Internet. Because of these limitations, applicants submitted certified transcripts of Census and other records which they obtained from a qualifying government office (i.e., "record custodians"). Many applicants hired lawyers or researchers because they lacked the resources or skills to locate the required documents.

Because many of the Ancestors claimed by descendants in the East never resided within Creek Nation Oklahoma (DAWES Roll, Old Settlers Roll), or were not living in a Creek Indian Town enumerated in the early 1830s (Parsons & Abbott Roll) -- their descendants had to rely on "other acceptable records" for proof of ancestry. For many, this resulted in sworn statements from individuals who personally knew their Ancestor was a Creek Indian (i.e., "eye witness" or "first-hand" affidavits and sworn statements).

Completed applications were submitted to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee Area Office.

The folks on the receiving end of these applications did not have computers or other modern conveniences, either. The Bureau had to rely on folders, metal filing cabinets, manually stamping control numbers on each application, manual lists, and other forms of managing the mounds of paper records. Each application was reviewed, letters sent back to the applicant outlining missing documentation or other errors, and eventually ended with either a letter finding them eligible or not eligible.

Since the Bureau was also processing similar claims from American Indians who were citizens of federally recognized tribes (each already assigned a roll number), they created EASTERN CREEK NUMBERS (EC Numbers) for each ancestor reported by non-enrolled applicants EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Most likely the creation of EC Numbers allowed the processing of applications from "non-enrolled" Indians to better conformed to their processes. Therefore, EC Numbers are not "roll numbers" nor do they indicate citizenship or membership in any tribe.

To provide a more complete picture of this process:

Unfortunately, after the Docket disbursements were completed, all supporting documents were returned to the applicant and, for the most part, only their 3-page application and final letter from the BIA remained on file.  Therefore, it is unknown which document or documents the Bureau used to “prove” most ancestors.

There are a handful of instances where these documents were not returned. In reviewing Docket applications with attachments we find:

Examples of dialogs supporting these processes include:

Copies of these and other applications are in the Federal Archives. Even without the supporting documents, these applications continue to be a great resource for genealogy researchers because most of them include a hand-written pedigree chart. You can request copies by sending email to ftworth.archives@nara.gov or by calling (817) 831-5620.

Does an EC NUMBER prove my ancestor is Indian?

Maybe. Each applicant had to identify their qualifying Creek ancestor on their application. To see a partial list of the Creek Ancestors identified during this process, visit: genealogytrails.com/ ala/baldwin/ eastern_creek_ancestor_list.html

Some of the issues with EC Numbers include:

So, what exactly is an EC Number? It is a number assigned by the Federal Government to individuals living around 1830 and reported to be "Creek by Blood" by their descendants living in the 1960s & 1970s. The number alone does not provide proof that someone has native ancestry. However, the EC Number AND proof that a descendant was awarded Dockets disbursements DOES prove Creek Blood and native ancestry.

There is one more important thing to realize -- only Creek Indians receive EC Numbers. If you are researching your native roots and suspect your ancestor comes from another tribe (such as Cherokee) -- they will not have an EC Number.