Oklahoma, U.S., Creek Equalization Records, 1912-1921

This collection contains applications to prove heirship by descent among members of the Creek nation. These documents can be particularly valuable because they list family members and relationships. The National Archives and Records Administration describes them this way:

This series includes original applications and supporting documents for payments under acts of Congress of August 1, 1914 and May 25, 1918, to equalize the value of allotments made to individual Creeks. Most of the files relate to claims by heirs for shares of payments due to deceased Creeks and include correspondence between the Superintendent and various field agents, attorneys, and claimants. Many of the files include Proof of Heirship forms which contain the name of the deceased allottee, date and place of death, name of spouse, and the names of the allottee's children and the heirs of deceased children. There are numerous gaps.

Forms may include other details as well, including:

• age
• tribal affiliation
• whether spouse is alive or deceased
• names of other spouses
• number of children
• post office
• names of informants