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Land Entry Case Files: Difference between revisions
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'''Tract book entries.''' In addition to the case file, a related entry would always be made in the appropriate [[Tract books|tract book]]. Tract books are arranged by state, land office, township number, range number, and section number. | '''Tract book entries.''' In addition to the case file, a related entry would always be made in the appropriate [[Tract books|tract book]]. Tract books are arranged by state, land office, township number, range number, and section number. | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="left" width="95%" | |||
|+ Steps to obtaining a case file | |||
|- | |||
| '''1.''' Find the legal land description of the property<br> | |||
:'''A.''' in an index under an ancestor's name, or <br> | |||
:'''B.''' by searching appropriate tract books page-by-page for an ancestor's name.<br> | |||
'''2.''' Submit a land entry case file request Form NATF-84, and $50 to the National Archives. | |||
|} | |||
=== How to obtain a case file === | === How to obtain a case file === | ||
'''1.''' Find the legal land description of the property<br> | '''1.''' Find the legal land description of the property<br> | ||
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:'''B.''' by searching appropriate tract books page-by-page for an ancestor's name.<br> | :'''B.''' by searching appropriate tract books page-by-page for an ancestor's name.<br> | ||
'''1A. Find the land description.''' The best strategy is to first find an ancestor's land description. | '''2.''' Submit a land entry case file request Form NATF-84, and $50 to the National Archives. | ||
<br> '''1A. Find the land description.''' The best strategy is to first find an ancestor's land description. | |||
:'''Sources which show the land description:''' | :'''Sources which show the land description:''' | ||
:*'''Land patent.''' If your family still has the patent (original title) for a piece of property, that patent will show the land description. | :*'''Land patent.''' If your family still has the patent (original title) for a piece of property, that patent will show the land description. | ||
:*'''[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ BLM land patent search].''' The online index to eight million land patents 1820-1908 and [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land]] shows each entry's land description. However, this index does '''not''' include the two million [[ | :*'''[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ BLM land patent search].''' The online index to eight million land patents 1820-1908 and [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land]] shows each entry's land description. However, this index does '''not''' include the two million [[Land entry case files|case files]] which were never finished, forfeited, relinquished, or cancelled. | ||
:*'''Seven states index.''' The ''seven states index '' at the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]], also gives each entry's land description. The index covers Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah for pre-1908 [[ | :*'''Seven states index.''' The ''seven states index '' at the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]], also gives each entry's land description. The index covers Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah for pre-1908 [[Land entry case files|case files]] both patented and unpatented.<ref>Hawkins, 3-4.</ref> | ||
:*'''Use search engines like Google to identify state land record indexes that could reveal land descriptions.''' | :*'''Use search engines like Google to identify state land record indexes that could reveal land descriptions.''' | ||
'''1B. Search tract books page-by-page.''' Alternatively, '''''IF ''''' you cannot find the section, township number, and range number, you could search page-by-page through the tract books for the county where an ancestor lived until you find his or her name. | '''1B. Search tract books page-by-page.''' Alternatively, '''''IF ''''' you cannot find the section, township number, and range number, you could search page-by-page through the tract books for the county where an ancestor lived until you find his or her name. | ||
'''2.''' Submit a land entry case file request Form NATF-84, and $50 to the National Archives. | '''2.''' Submit a land entry case file request Form NATF-84, and $50 to the National Archives. | ||