Each Indian tribe has its own rules for membership. Most tribes do base
membership on blood quantum but 1/8 is not a guarantee of membership by any
means.
The Cherokee tribe does has a pretty small blood quantum standard (I think it
is 1/64).
Do you know your grandmother's name?
Most people who think they have Indian incestry start at the national archives.
There are lists and list of Indians there and you might be able to locate
her name through the Archives in DC. They ocassionally hold seminars to help
folks like you. The services are available all year long. Call (202) 501 5425
for more information.
You could also contact the Cherokee Nation. There are two Branches of the
Cherokee tribe. The branch that moved west under the relocation law of 1830
is headquartered in Talequah, Oklahoma. The Eastern Band is in North Carolina
and I cannot remember if the town is called Cherokee or something else. Maybe
I'll think of it.
Any way, you could call the tribal offices and ask the what their membership
requirements are. They probably have an enrollment list from a certain date
of those they considered "full-bloods". You would have to trace your
ancestry back to that original list.
There are some smaller bands that were close to the Cherokee like the Creek.
So you might have a lot of research a head of you.
[I'm an attorney working in Indian Affairs.]
Feel free to ask me more questions.
Good luck, Ellen Kemper