Besides Ellen Kemper's suggestions regarding contacting the tribal
headquarters for the Eastern or Western Cherokee, there is another
option open to you: contacting the Free Cherokee Nation. This is a
group of Cherokee who live off-reservation, do not accept money from
the BIA or any other government services provided for Native people,
but who simply want to retain their tribal heritage, customs and
spiritual life, as well as be part of the Cherokee community. The
Free Cherokees hold many ceremonial and social gatherings and have a
quarterly newsletter which is very informative and enjoyable. I
suspect they are also much less stringent in their membership criteria
(in terms of blood requirements etc.) than the bands who live on the
reservations, and might be willing to help you find records of your
grandmother.
The regional Chief of the Free Cherokees here in California is a good
friend of mine and, if you would like to write me and tell me what
area you live in, I'm sure I can find out the name and contact information
for your local regional chief.
= Lee =