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[[Portal:United States Land and Property|Portal:United States Land and Property | [[Portal:United States Land and Property|Portal:United States Land and Property]]>[[Minnesota|Minnesota]] | ||
The availability of land attracted many immigrants to America and encouraged westward expansion. Land ownership was generally recorded in an area as soon as settlers began to arrive. Land records are primarily used to learn where an individual lived and when he lived there. They often reveal other family information, such as the name of a spouse, heir, other relatives, or neighbors. You may learn where a person lived previously, his occupation, if he had served in the military, if he was a naturalized citizen, and other clues. Sale of the land may show when he left and to where he was moving. | The availability of land attracted many immigrants to America and encouraged westward expansion. Land ownership was generally recorded in an area as soon as settlers began to arrive. Land records are primarily used to learn where an individual lived and when he lived there. They often reveal other family information, such as the name of a spouse, heir, other relatives, or neighbors. You may learn where a person lived previously, his occupation, if he had served in the military, if he was a naturalized citizen, and other clues. Sale of the land may show when he left and to where he was moving. | ||
Minnesota was a public-domain state where unclaimed land was surveyed, then granted or sold by the government through federal and state land offices. Later when the land was sold or mortgaged by private owners, the transactions were recorded at the office of the county register of deeds. Family history researchers usually use land records from county offices. Records from federal and state offices can also have genealogical value. For detailed descriptions of land record types see | Minnesota was a public-domain state where unclaimed land was surveyed, then granted or sold by the government through federal and state land offices. Later when the land was sold or mortgaged by private owners, the transactions were recorded at the office of the county register of deeds. Family history researchers usually use land records from county offices. Records from federal and state offices can also have genealogical value. For detailed descriptions of land record types see [[United States Land and Property|United States Research Outline]] (30972). | ||
=== Surveys === | === Surveys === | ||
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After land had been surveyed, the survey was recorded in township plat books. These usually contained a drawing of the township, noting major geographical features such as waterways. Other federal records include the tract books, patents, and case files described below. | After land had been surveyed, the survey was recorded in township plat books. These usually contained a drawing of the township, noting major geographical features such as waterways. Other federal records include the tract books, patents, and case files described below. | ||
The Bureau of Land Management has an online [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ index] to land patents in Minnesota. The patent search usually provides a digital image of the original patent. | |||
The Bureau of Land Management has an [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/SurveySearch/ index] and digital images of the original survey maps for Minnesota. The original survey creates land boundaries and marks them for the first time. | |||
Copies of the federal records were sent to the Minnesota Historical Society. Most Minnesota federal land records are also in the Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern States office in Springfield, Virginia. | Copies of the federal records were sent to the Minnesota Historical Society. Most Minnesota federal land records are also in the Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern States office in Springfield, Virginia. | ||
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Microfilm copies of the tract books and township plats of the Minnesota land offices are at the Family History Library and at: | Microfilm copies of the tract books and township plats of the Minnesota land offices are at the Family History Library and at: | ||
'''Minnesota Historical Society Research Center'''<br>345 Kellogg Boulevard W.<br>St Paul, MN 55102-1906<br>Telephone: 651-296-2143<br>Fax: 651-297-7436 <br>Internet: | '''Minnesota Historical Society Research Center'''<br>345 Kellogg Boulevard W.<br>St Paul, MN 55102-1906<br>Telephone: 651-296-2143<br>Fax: 651-297-7436 <br>Internet: [http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/mho/regcent.html www.mnhs.org/preserve/mho/regcent.html] | ||
The actual patents are at: | The actual patents are at: | ||
'''Bureau of Land Management Eastern States Office'''<br>7450 Boston Boulevard<br>Springfield, VA 22153<br>Telephone: 703-440-1523<br>Fax: 703-440-1599<br>Internet: | '''Bureau of Land Management Eastern States Office'''<br>7450 Boston Boulevard<br>Springfield, VA 22153<br>Telephone: 703-440-1523<br>Fax: 703-440-1599<br>Internet: [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ www.glorecords.blm.gov/] | ||
'''Indexes'''. When federal land was finally transferred to private individuals, it was said to be patented. Some land patents, certificates, and other land documents for Minnesota have been indexed on one compact disc: | '''Indexes'''. When federal land was finally transferred to private individuals, it was said to be patented. Some land patents, certificates, and other land documents for Minnesota have been indexed on one compact disc: | ||
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Records about individual pieces of land in each township were collected in land-entry case files. Case files may include personal or family information, such as military discharge papers and naturalization certificates. Case files are not at the Family History Library, but must be ordered from: | Records about individual pieces of land in each township were collected in land-entry case files. Case files may include personal or family information, such as military discharge papers and naturalization certificates. Case files are not at the Family History Library, but must be ordered from: | ||
'''Old Military & Civil Records Branch'''<br>National Archives and Records Administration<br>7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br>Washington, DC 20408<br>Telephone: 202-501-5395<br>Fax: 202-219-6273 <br>Internet: | '''Old Military & Civil Records Branch'''<br>National Archives and Records Administration<br>7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br>Washington, DC 20408<br>Telephone: 202-501-5395<br>Fax: 202-219-6273 <br>Internet: [http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records.html Archives] | ||
To obtain a case file, you must provide a complete legal land description and the name of the state, land office, type of certificate, certificate number, and name of ancestor. Do not send money; you will be billed. | To obtain a case file, you must provide a complete legal land description and the name of the state, land office, type of certificate, certificate number, and name of ancestor. Do not send money; you will be billed. | ||
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After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent land sales and mortgages were usually recorded in the register of deeds office in each county. Original documents were retained by the families, while copies of deeds, mortgages, and leases were kept by the registrar of deeds. Abstracts and indexes for these records are generally available at the county courthouse. Registrars of deeds are now know as county recorders. The Family History Library is continuing to acquire microfilm copies of these records and their indexes from the southern and eastern counties. | After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent land sales and mortgages were usually recorded in the register of deeds office in each county. Original documents were retained by the families, while copies of deeds, mortgages, and leases were kept by the registrar of deeds. Abstracts and indexes for these records are generally available at the county courthouse. Registrars of deeds are now know as county recorders. The Family History Library is continuing to acquire microfilm copies of these records and their indexes from the southern and eastern counties. | ||
Land records for Minnesota are listed in the | Land records for Minnesota are listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitysearch&columns=*,0,0 Place Search] of the Family History Library Catalog under: | ||
MINNESOTA – LAND AND PROPERTY | MINNESOTA – LAND AND PROPERTY | ||