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Homestead Records: Difference between revisions

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'''''[[United States]] > [[Portal:United States Land and Property|Land and Property]] > [[Homestead_Records|Homestead Records]]''''' [[Image:Federal vs. State Land States.png|right|350px]]  
'''''[[United States]] > [[Portal:United States Land and Property|Land and Property]] > [[Homestead_Records|Homestead Records]]''''' [[Image:Federal vs. State Land States.png|right|350px|Homesteads were available only in blue states and Texas.]]  


=== Homestead Requirements and Results  ===
=== Homestead Requirements and Results  ===
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In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to:  
In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to:  


:#file application papers, and pay filing fees, eventually a total of $18
:#file application papers, and pay filing fees, eventually a total of $18  
:#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling, and start a farm)  
:#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling, and start a farm)  
:#file for a deed of title.
:#file for a deed of title.
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'''''Obtaining Homestead Papers from the National Archives.''''' For detailed instructions online explaining how to obtain homestead papers for (a) homesteads granted, and (b) unfinished homestead applications see “Ordering a Land-Entry Case File from the National Archives” at the '''''end of'''''  "[http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/upload/W,pdf,Genealogy,rvd.pdf Homestead National Monument of America – Genealogy]."  
'''''Obtaining Homestead Papers from the National Archives.''''' For detailed instructions online explaining how to obtain homestead papers for (a) homesteads granted, and (b) unfinished homestead applications see “Ordering a Land-Entry Case File from the National Archives” at the '''''end of'''''  "[http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/upload/W,pdf,Genealogy,rvd.pdf Homestead National Monument of America – Genealogy]."  


'''''Texas Homesteads.''''' The state of Texas has an online [http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm Land Grant Index] similar to a homestead index.<ref>“Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search” at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm (accessed 5 February 2010). </ref>
'''''Texas Homesteads.''''' The state of Texas has an online [http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm Land Grant Index] similar to a homestead index.<ref>“Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search” at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm (accessed 5 February 2010). </ref>  


=== Related Content  ===
=== Related Content  ===
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