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Rectangular Surveys: Difference between revisions
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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|Land and Property]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Rectangular surveys''' | ''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|Land and Property]]'' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Rectangular surveys''' | ||
{{TOC right}}It will be easier to find and understand the land records of ancestors if you learn something about the Public Lands Survey System and its records. In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property:<br><br> | {{TOC right}}It will be easier to find and understand the land records of ancestors if you learn something about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Land_Survey_System Public Lands Survey System] and its records. In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property:<br><br> | ||
:*the older '''[[Metes and Bounds|metes and bounds]]''' primarily used in [[State Land|state land states]] | :*the older '''[[Metes and Bounds|metes and bounds]]''' primarily used in [[State Land|state land states]] | ||
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[[Image:U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png|647px|U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png]] | [[Image:U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png|647px|U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png]] | ||
For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it. | For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it. | ||
==== Numbered Townships and Ranges ==== | ==== Numbered Townships and Ranges ==== | ||
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With careful examination for grid markers, the federal-land-state townships and ranges usually can be identified in a Rand McNally ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide''<ref>Rand McNally and Company, ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide'' (Chicago : Rand McNally, 1989). {{WorldCat|22500935|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}.</ref> found at most large libraries. Each township has a range strip and a township strip. Together they create an address for that township within the boundaries of their ''principle meridian '' and ''baseline''. Begin counting where the principal meridian and baseline intersect. If the township address is T2N R3E, it means that the township is two units north of the baseline, and three units east of the principal meridian. Similarlly, a township address of T3S R1W would be three units south of the baseline, and one unit west of the principal meridian. | With careful examination for grid markers, the federal-land-state townships and ranges usually can be identified in a Rand McNally ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide''<ref>Rand McNally and Company, ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide'' (Chicago : Rand McNally, 1989). {{WorldCat|22500935|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}.</ref> found at most large libraries. Each township has a range strip and a township strip. Together they create an address for that township within the boundaries of their ''principle meridian '' and ''baseline''. Begin counting where the principal meridian and baseline intersect. If the township address is T2N R3E, it means that the township is two units north of the baseline, and three units east of the principal meridian. Similarlly, a township address of T3S R1W would be three units south of the baseline, and one unit west of the principal meridian. | ||
[[Image:Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png|647px|Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png]] | [[Image:Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png|647px|Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png]] | ||
==== Numbered Sections ==== | ==== Numbered Sections ==== | ||
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==== Secton Subdivisions ==== | ==== Secton Subdivisions ==== | ||
Each section is usually divided into subdivisions of varying size, usually with rectangular (square) shapes. | Each section is usually divided into subdivisions of varying size, usually with rectangular (square) shapes. | ||
==== Internet map tool ==== | ==== Internet map tool ==== | ||
[http://www.earthpoint.us/Townships.aspx Earthpoint: Tools for Google Earth] displays a Google Earth map based on BLM township, range, section, and quarter-quarter section if you zoom in close enough (most, but not all areas have quarter-quarter sections mapped). The tool can convert township, range, and section to latitude and longitude, or vise versa. | [http://www.earthpoint.us/Townships.aspx Earthpoint: Tools for Google Earth] displays a Google Earth map based on BLM township, range, section, and quarter-quarter section if you zoom in close enough (most, but not all areas have quarter-quarter sections mapped). The tool can convert township, range, and section to latitude and longitude, or vise versa. | ||
==== Rectangular Survey Land Records ==== | ==== Rectangular Survey Land Records ==== | ||
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Tract books for some states, such as Alabama and Ohio are organized by land office. Others are organized for the whole state. "Appendix B" in ''Land and Property Research in the United States '' shows the varying land office boundaries in each state over many years.<ref>Hone, ????????</ref> | Tract books for some states, such as Alabama and Ohio are organized by land office. Others are organized for the whole state. "Appendix B" in ''Land and Property Research in the United States '' shows the varying land office boundaries in each state over many years.<ref>Hone, ????????</ref> | ||
'''Tract book arrangement.''' Tract books are arranged by the present-day state. In some states tract books are also divided into groups by land office. Each tract book is arranged by by the legal land description of the section, township, and range.<ref name="Hone" /> | '''Tract book arrangement.''' Tract books are arranged by the present-day state. In some states tract books are also divided into groups by land office. Each tract book is arranged by by the legal land description of the section, township, and range.<ref name="Hone" /> | ||
==== For Further Reading ==== | ==== For Further Reading ==== | ||