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Re: Seeking information on Isabella Redbird
Becca SimonsJun 19, 2019 3:12 PM (in response to gary gullikson)
2 people found this helpfulDear Mr. Gullikson,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
Unfortunately mortality rates were high at some Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools in the early years, with epidemics of various diseases and such, so this is a very likely cause of death. If Isabella Redbird was from another reservation and the family or home agency would not pay to transport her body, she would be buried at the school and researching these cemeteries is common, though often unsuccessful, in our holdings.
Greenwood would have been the Yankton Agency. In 1899 they had a boarding school called Yankton but we were unable to find the date of closure. The problem with BIA schools is that a wave of them closed in the early 20th Century and in many cases the records, if not captured by a BIA agency office, were lost. You may wish to contact the National Archives at Kansas City; they may be able to give you more information about South Dakota BIA records. Their email address is kansascity.archives@nara.gov.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck on your research!
[Information provided by Cody White, Subject Matter Expert]