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Land Patent Search: Difference between revisions
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An [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ index (Land Patent Search)] to several million '''federal land''' patent records is available online at the Bureau of Land Management – General Land Office Records (BLM-GLO) site at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ | An [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ index (Land Patent Search)] to several million '''federal land''' patent records is available online at the Bureau of Land Management – General Land Office Records (BLM-GLO) site at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ | ||
= Value of Land Records = | == Value of Land Records == | ||
'''Land records''' were created by the government to prevent or help resolve ownership disputes. They can be used by genealogists to determine residence. If the land was later passed to relatives, you may be able to use wills or deeds showing the transfer as evidence of personal relationships. In some cases the patent application papers contain genealogical information. | '''Land records''' were created by the government to prevent or help resolve ownership disputes. They can be used by genealogists to determine residence. If the land was later passed to relatives, you may be able to use wills or deeds showing the transfer as evidence of personal relationships. In some cases the patent application papers contain genealogical information. | ||
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'''Application papers''' for federal land patents may have detailed information about family members and previous residence as shown in dozens of papers including land application forms, citizenship applications, Family Bible pages, marriage or death certificates, newspaper clippings, and affidavits. | '''Application papers''' for federal land patents may have detailed information about family members and previous residence as shown in dozens of papers including land application forms, citizenship applications, Family Bible pages, marriage or death certificates, newspaper clippings, and affidavits. | ||
= Value of the BLM-GLO Land Patent Search = | == Value of the BLM-GLO Land Patent Search == | ||
The [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ Land Patent Search] is an index to millions of ancestors in federal land patents from 1788 to the 1960s at the National Archives. Start with this index to get the information needed to obtain the applications for land patents which may be a rich source of genealogical information about a family. The same Internet site also provides access to '''images of patents''' for the eastern federal land states. | The [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ Land Patent Search] is an index to millions of ancestors in federal land patents from 1788 to the 1960s at the National Archives. Start with this index to get the information needed to obtain the applications for land patents which may be a rich source of genealogical information about a family. The same Internet site also provides access to '''images of patents''' for the eastern federal land states. | ||
= Jurisdictions = | == Jurisdictions == | ||
[[Image:Federal vs. State Land States.png|thumb]] | [[Image:Federal vs. State Land States.png|thumb]] | ||
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A separate Texas General Land Office online Land Grant Database search is available at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm | A separate Texas General Land Office online Land Grant Database search is available at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm | ||
= Who Is in the Land Patent Search = | == Who Is in the Land Patent Search == | ||
The BLM-GLO [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ Land Patent Search] index '''only''' lists people who were actually granted a federal land patent. All military bounty land, grants, cash, pre-emption, and credit entry patents should be indexed. Among homesteaders only about 40 percent of initial applicants finished the process and received a legal title (patent) to their homestead. Among timberland applicants only about 25 percent received their patent. | The BLM-GLO [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/ Land Patent Search] index '''only''' lists people who were actually granted a federal land patent. All military bounty land, grants, cash, pre-emption, and credit entry patents should be indexed. Among homesteaders only about 40 percent of initial applicants finished the process and received a legal title (patent) to their homestead. Among timberland applicants only about 25 percent received their patent. | ||
Homesteaders who never obtained a patent because they did not finish are NOT in the Land Patent Search, but they ARE in the application papers. It is possible to get copies of unfinished applications. However, to see such application papers you must figure out another way to [[ | Homesteaders who never obtained a patent because they did not finish are NOT in the Land Patent Search, but they ARE in the application papers. It is possible to get copies of unfinished applications. However, to see such application papers you must figure out another way to [[Grants from the Federal Government (Public Domain)#Legal_Description_of_the_Land|obtain the legal description of the land]] they started to homestead. | ||
= Using the Land Patent Search = | == Using the Land Patent Search == | ||
Open the Land Patent Search on the Internet at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/. You may be asked to enter your zip code. When the site opens, select either the '''Basic''' or '''Standard''' search. The '''Standard''' search allows the option to select –ALL STATES– in the '''''State:''''' field. Enter the patentee’s last name and first name, and click the '''Search''' button at the bottom. | Open the Land Patent Search on the Internet at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/. You may be asked to enter your zip code. When the site opens, select either the '''Basic''' or '''Standard''' search. The '''Standard''' search allows the option to select –ALL STATES– in the '''''State:''''' field. Enter the patentee’s last name and first name, and click the '''Search''' button at the bottom. | ||
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'''To obtain the patent application papers''' (case files) follow the instructions called “[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara National Archives and Records Administration Land Entry Case Files]” on the Internet at http//:[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara] | '''To obtain the patent application papers''' (case files) follow the instructions called “[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara National Archives and Records Administration Land Entry Case Files]” on the Internet at http//:[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/Requests.asp#nara] | ||
= Related Content = | == Related Content == | ||
[[United States Land and Property|United States Land and Property]] | [[United States Land and Property|United States Land and Property]] | ||