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Land Entry Case Files: Difference between revisions
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:*'''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.''' | ||
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'''Step 2. Submit NATF-84''' (a land entry case file request form), and $50 to the National Archives. | '''Step 2. Submit NATF-84''' (a land entry case file request form), and $50 to the National Archives. | ||
To obtain a land entry case file you will need information about the ancestor's state, county, land office, and land description listing the section, township number, and range number. The form also requests the patent number, but if that is lacking, you can substitute copies of the tract book entry. | To obtain a land entry case file you will need information about the ancestor's state, county, land office, and land description listing the section, township number, and range number. The form also requests the patent number, but if that is lacking, you can substitute copies of the tract book entry. | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="center" width="99%" | |||
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| bgcolor="#66ffff" valign="baseline" | <center><b>If you cannot find an ancestor in these land records . . .</b></center> | |||
*Re-try the ''[[Land Patent Search|BLM Land Patent Search]] '' using variant spellings of the ancestor's name. | |||
*Check for an index among the tract book volumes. Sometimes a separate index volume exists for all the tract books from the same land office. | |||
*Hunt for the land records of relatives. Sometimes one ancestor would obtain land through the name of a relative, or even a neighbor. | |||
*Look for '''county''' land records if an ancestor obtained land from an individual rather than from the federal government. | |||
*Look for '''county''' land records showing an ancestor disposed of a parcel of land in order to learn where he or she first obtained the land from the federal government. | |||
*Search alternative local record types like census, church records, cemeteries, court records, and tax records to find ancestor information. | |||
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=== Availablity === | === Availablity === | ||