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{{TOC right}}Tract books were originally maintained by the '''federal''' government for each parcel of land transfered from the federal government to private citizens. Family historians use tract books to help locate the property of ancestors and neighbors, and for clues to find associated land records. | {{TOC right}}Tract books were originally maintained by the '''federal''' government for each parcel of land transfered from the federal government to private citizens. Family historians use tract books to help locate the property of ancestors and neighbors, and for clues to find associated land records. | ||
The tract books were ledgers used to record entries, leases, withdrawals and other actions affecting the disposition of lands in the public domain. This information allowed federal land officials to determine the status of lands and minerals. For further details about federal tract books available on the Internet, '''''see also''''' [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books | The tract books were ledgers used to record entries, leases, withdrawals and other actions affecting the disposition of lands in the public domain. This information allowed federal land officials to determine the status of lands and minerals. For further details about federal tract books available on the Internet, '''''see also''''' [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books - FamilySearch Historical Records|United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]. | ||
This is similar to '''county governments''' today, which keep their own separate land records usually in the form of [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]] and plat maps in order to track ownership and status of real estate within the county. | This is similar to '''county governments''' today, which keep their own separate land records usually in the form of [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]] and plat maps in order to track ownership and status of real estate within the county. | ||
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The following sources can help narrow the number of tract books to search: | The following sources can help narrow the number of tract books to search: | ||
*'''''Coverage table'''''. Use the description of the townships and ranges covered in each tract book as described in the [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table | *'''''Coverage table'''''. Use the description of the townships and ranges covered in each tract book as described in the [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table - FamilySearch Historical Records|'''Tract Books Coverage Table''']] to narrow down the volumes you will need to view to find an ancestor's land entry. ''For example:'' [[Image:Tract books coverage table example.png|center|600px|Tract books coverage table example.png]] | ||
*'''''FHL Catalog description.''''' For a detailed list of this collection's '''contents by film number''', see the FamilySearch Catalog entry: | *'''''FHL Catalog description.''''' For a detailed list of this collection's '''contents by film number''', see the FamilySearch Catalog entry: | ||
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=== Related Wiki Articles === | === Related Wiki Articles === | ||
*[[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books | *[[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books - FamilySearch Historical Records|United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] describes the online federal tract book collection for 28 federal land states from 1820-1908. | ||
*[[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table | *[[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table - FamilySearch Historical Records|Tract Books Coverage Table]] lists the state, volume, land office, township numbers and range numbers in each federal tract book 1820-1908. | ||
*[[Grants from the Federal Government (Public Domain)]] explains public lands, how individuals claimed some of it, and the paperwork created during the process. | *[[Grants from the Federal Government (Public Domain)]] explains public lands, how individuals claimed some of it, and the paperwork created during the process. | ||
*BLM [[Land Patent Search]] discusses the index to eight million patented (finished) land applications, and [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land]] papers. Each entry in this index includes the land description useful for finding an ancestor in a tract book. | *BLM [[Land Patent Search]] discusses the index to eight million patented (finished) land applications, and [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land]] papers. Each entry in this index includes the land description useful for finding an ancestor in a tract book. | ||
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