Durrant Role
The Durant Roll is a historical census of the Chippewa and Ottawa people in Michigan, originally compiled in 1908 by Special Agent Horace B. Durant under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This roll was created to determine eligibility for land allotments and other benefits under various treaties between the U.S. government and the tribes. Today, it remains a crucial genealogical and historical record for those researching Native American ancestry and tribal enrollment.
Understanding the Durant Roll
The Durant Roll documents thousands of individuals and families from Michigan’s Indigenous communities at the beginning of the 20th century. It includes names, family relationships, ages, and other identifying information of those who were recognized as members of the Ottawa and Chippewa (Ojibwe) tribes. The roll was primarily used to verify tribal affiliation for land and financial claims, but it has since become an essential resource for tribal researchers, historians, and genealogists.
Accessing the Durant Roll
Currently, academic reconstructions of the Durant Roll are available, but official online sources remain limited. We are actively working to compile and verify records and will update this page as new searchable links become available.
For those interested in learning more about the Durant Roll or seeking historical documentation, we recommend checking archives, tribal records, and specialized historical research collections. If you have family history connected to the Durant Roll, tribal offices and genealogy experts may be able to assist with verification.
For future updates, please check back as we continue to improve access to these critical historical records.