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The process of obtaining private title to government land is called land entry. Settlers could acquire land in several ways: | The process of obtaining private title to government land is called land entry. Settlers could acquire land in several ways: | ||
'''Donation land '''could be claimed by individuals who settled and cultivated land before 1855. The | '''Donation land '''could be claimed by individuals who settled and cultivated land before 1855. The FamilySearch Library has a register with indexes and abstracts in: | ||
''Washington Donation Land Claims 1855-1902.'' The National Archives. Washington [District of Columbia], 1951. (FS Library film {{FSC|47803|title-id|disp=418160}}.) This identifies each claim by name, local office, and certificate number. It can be used to locate the original file. The original files for 1851-1903 are at the National Archives and on microfilm at the National Archives—Pacific Northwest Region (Seattle) at http://www.archives.gov/pacific-alaska/seattle/ and at the | ''Washington Donation Land Claims 1855-1902.'' The National Archives. Washington [District of Columbia], 1951. (FS Library film {{FSC|47803|title-id|disp=418160}}.) This identifies each claim by name, local office, and certificate number. It can be used to locate the original file. The original files for 1851-1903 are at the National Archives and on microfilm at the National Archives—Pacific Northwest Region (Seattle) at http://www.archives.gov/pacific-alaska/seattle/ and at the FamilySearch Library (on 108 FS Library films beginning with film {{FSC|18339|title-id|disp=1028543}}.) | ||
The Washington State Digital Archives has an Index to the [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Default.aspx Donation Land Claims] 1852-1855. | The Washington State Digital Archives has an Index to the [http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Default.aspx Donation Land Claims] 1852-1855. | ||
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The National Archives has the land entry case files. To obtain a copy of a file, you will need to provide the following information: name of the person who filed, legal description of the land, patent number, date of the patent, and land office of issuance. | The National Archives has the land entry case files. To obtain a copy of a file, you will need to provide the following information: name of the person who filed, legal description of the land, patent number, date of the patent, and land office of issuance. | ||
The local GLO offices recorded the transactions for each section of land in tract books. They also created township plats, which are maps of land entries for each township. The original tract books and township plats are at the National Archives. Microfilm copies of the tract books and township plats are at the | The local GLO offices recorded the transactions for each section of land in tract books. They also created township plats, which are maps of land entries for each township. The original tract books and township plats are at the National Archives. Microfilm copies of the tract books and township plats are at the FamilySearch Library and at the Oregon State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), P.O. Box 2965, 1515 S.W. 5th Avenue, Portland, OR 97208-2965, Telephone: 503-952-6287, Fax: 503-952-6333, Internet: https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington. Other local land office records are at the National Archives—Pacific Northwest Region (Seattle). | ||
After the settler completed the requirements for land entry, his case file was sent to the General Land Office in Washington, D.C., where a patent (or first-title deed) was issued. Patent records contain the name of the entryman, the legal description of the land (including the acreage), the date of patent, and other information. The Oregon State Office of the BLM (address above) has the patent records. | After the settler completed the requirements for land entry, his case file was sent to the General Land Office in Washington, D.C., where a patent (or first-title deed) was issued. Patent records contain the name of the entryman, the legal description of the land (including the acreage), the date of patent, and other information. The Oregon State Office of the BLM (address above) has the patent records. | ||
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=== County Land Records === | === County Land Records === | ||
After land was transferred from the government by sale or grant to private ownership, it could be sold again, inherited, lost by foreclosure of a mortgage, or distributed through a divorce. These transactions are recorded at a county courthouse in the form of deeds and mortgages. You can obtain copies of these records by writing to the county auditor. The | After land was transferred from the government by sale or grant to private ownership, it could be sold again, inherited, lost by foreclosure of a mortgage, or distributed through a divorce. These transactions are recorded at a county courthouse in the form of deeds and mortgages. You can obtain copies of these records by writing to the county auditor. The FamilySearch Library has not acquired copies of county land records except for Clark County. | ||
'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:''' | '''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:''' | ||
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