Native american heritage?

Question: Native american heritage!?

my grandfather is half native American which obviously makes me patr as well, how do i know what tribe he came from!. (besides the obvious!.!.asking him) is there a more common tribe that people are a part of!?!?!?!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

with respect for the other poster!.!.
no, using your family name (surname) is not the best route at all!. Your grandfather might be named Smith (or any common name) which is not limited to native/ non native!.
Genealogy works on explicit and specific information for YOUR known relatives!. If grandpa is living, your goal is to ask him who his parents were, and their details (dates/places, so forth)!. Per your statement!.!. one of his parents would be full blood, and the other not!. If he isn't living, then those names would be on his death certificate!.
Once you get to someone born prior to 1930, they can normally be found in the census!.!. and possibly other records, such as those concerning Native Americans!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no, there are many many tribes!.

you can do a search by your fathers family name, that will be a good starting point!.Www@QuestionHome@Com