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==Rectangular Surveys==
{{TOC right}}The [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]] has over 10 million land entry case files of individuals trying to obtain a private claim to some of the public land in [[United States Land and Property#United_States|30 federal land states]] from 1820-1908. In almost all these cases the land was surveyed and described as part of the '''Public Lands Survey System''', which divided the land into '''Congressional townships''' on a '''township and range''' grid based on '''rectangular surveys'''. A township consists of 36 '''sections''' of one square mile each. Sections are organized into a 6 x 6 square to form each township.  
The [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]] has over 10 million land entry case files of individuals trying to obtain a private claim to some of the public land in [[United States Land and Property#United_States|30 federal land states]] from 1820-1908. In almost all these cases the land was surveyed and described as part of the '''Public Lands Survey System''', which divided the land into '''Congressional townships''' on a '''township and range''' grid based on '''rectangular surveys'''. A township consists of 36 '''sections''' of one square mile each. Sections are organized into a 6 x 6 square to form each township.  


It will be easier to find and understand the land records of ancestors if you learn something about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Land_Survey_System Public Lands Survey System] and its records. In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property:<br><br>  
It will be easier to find and understand the land records of ancestors if you learn something about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Land_Survey_System Public Lands Survey System] and its records. In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property:<br><br>  
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The ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785]&nbsp;'' established the Public Land Survey System. Land was systematically surveyed into square "Congressional" townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 25 November 2014).</ref>  
The ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785]&nbsp;'' established the Public Land Survey System. Land was systematically surveyed into square "Congressional" townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 25 November 2014).</ref>  


==== Principal Meridians and Base Lines  ====
=== Principal Meridians and Base Lines  ===


The rectangular survey system is based on '''''principal meridians&nbsp;''''' and '''''base lines&nbsp;''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened new public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in that area.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. [http://www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/rip114.pdf Internet version (pdf)] {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}  {{FSC|1440124|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> Each color-block in the following map shows the states, or part of a state, surveyed using that area's principal meridian and base line.  
The rectangular survey system is based on '''''principal meridians&nbsp;''''' and '''''base lines&nbsp;''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened new public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in that area.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. [http://www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/rip114.pdf Internet version (pdf)] {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}  {{FSC|1440124|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> Each color-block in the following map shows the states, or part of a state, surveyed using that area's principal meridian and base line.  
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For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it.  
For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it.  


==== Numbered Townships and Ranges  ====
=== Numbered Townships and Ranges  ===


Numbered townships were laid out in tiers north and south of the baseline; numbered ranges were laid out east and west of the meridians. The intersecting strips of townships and ranges formed a checkerboard or grid of townships.<ref name="Hawkins" />  
Numbered townships were laid out in tiers north and south of the baseline; numbered ranges were laid out east and west of the meridians. The intersecting strips of townships and ranges formed a checkerboard or grid of townships.<ref name="Hawkins" />  
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[[Image:Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png|647px|Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png]]  
[[Image:Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png|647px|Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png]]  
<div style="float: left; width: 100%">
<div style="float: left; width: 100%">
==== Numbered Sections  ====
=== Numbered Sections  ===


The basic unit of the rectangular survey system is the ''section''. A section contains one square mile (640 acres). Thirty-six sections in a square pattern, (6 miles by 6 miles), makes up a township. The following diagram shows how standard sections are numbered starting in the northeast corner of a township:  
The basic unit of the rectangular survey system is the ''section''. A section contains one square mile (640 acres). Thirty-six sections in a square pattern, (6 miles by 6 miles), makes up a township. The following diagram shows how standard sections are numbered starting in the northeast corner of a township:  
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One of the center sections of a township was often reserved for community property such as a school or fire station.  
One of the center sections of a township was often reserved for community property such as a school or fire station.  


==== Section subdivisions  ====
=== Section subdivisions  ===


Each section is usually divided into subdivisions of varying size, usually with rectangular (square) shapes. The sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections of 160 acres. The quarters can be divided into half-quarters of 80 acres or into quarter-quarter sections of 40 acres.<ref>[http://www.geocommunicator.gov/GeoComm/lsis_home/home/lsis-plss-description.html The Public Land Survey System (PLSS)] in ''Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'' at GeoCommunicator.gov (accessed 28 November 2014).</ref> These various subdivisions of the whole section are sometimes called ''aliquots''.  
Each section is usually divided into subdivisions of varying size, usually with rectangular (square) shapes. The sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections of 160 acres. The quarters can be divided into half-quarters of 80 acres or into quarter-quarter sections of 40 acres.<ref>[http://www.geocommunicator.gov/GeoComm/lsis_home/home/lsis-plss-description.html The Public Land Survey System (PLSS)] in ''Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'' at GeoCommunicator.gov (accessed 28 November 2014).</ref> These various subdivisions of the whole section are sometimes called ''aliquots''.  


==== Internet map tool  ====
=== Internet map tool  ===


[http://www.earthpoint.us/Townships.aspx Earthpoint: Tools for Google Earth] displays a Google Earth map based on BLM township, range, section, and quarter-quarter section if you zoom in close enough (most, but not all areas have quarter-quarter sections mapped). The tool can also convert township, range, and section to latitude and longitude, or vise versa.  
[http://www.earthpoint.us/Townships.aspx Earthpoint: Tools for Google Earth] displays a Google Earth map based on BLM township, range, section, and quarter-quarter section if you zoom in close enough (most, but not all areas have quarter-quarter sections mapped). The tool can also convert township, range, and section to latitude and longitude, or vise versa.  


==== Rectangular Survey Land Records  ====
=== Rectangular Survey Land Records  ===


'''Access.''' The [[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA) is the repository for records documenting the transfer of public (federal) lands to private ownership. They preserve the case files of over 10 million individual land transactions called land entries in [[United States Land and Property#United_States|30 federal land states]]. They also preserve tract books and various name indexes to help access the case files. NARA has '''all''' the land entry files for all 30 of the federal land states.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> NARA has the '''''successful land entries&nbsp;''''' that received patents (original private titles) before 1908. For the same period they also have the '''''unsuccessful land entries&nbsp;''''' that did not finish the process, cancelled, or relinquished their claims and did not receive a patent.<ref name="Haw4">Hawkins, 4.</ref>  
'''Access.''' The [[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA) is the repository for records documenting the transfer of public (federal) lands to private ownership. They preserve the case files of over 10 million individual land transactions called land entries in [[United States Land and Property#United_States|30 federal land states]]. They also preserve tract books and various name indexes to help access the case files. NARA has '''all''' the land entry files for all 30 of the federal land states.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> NARA has the '''''successful land entries&nbsp;''''' that received patents (original private titles) before 1908. For the same period they also have the '''''unsuccessful land entries&nbsp;''''' that did not finish the process, cancelled, or relinquished their claims and did not receive a patent.<ref name="Haw4">Hawkins, 4.</ref>  
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:*'''''post-1908 land entry files&nbsp;''''' by serial patent number
:*'''''post-1908 land entry files&nbsp;''''' by serial patent number


===== Indexes  =====
==== Indexes  ====


'''Seven states index.''' Seven states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah) have an entryman name index for pre-1908 case files both patented and unpatented.<ref>Hawkins, 3-4.</ref> This index is available at the National Archives in Washington, DC.  
'''Seven states index.''' Seven states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah) have an entryman name index for pre-1908 case files both patented and unpatented.<ref>Hawkins, 3-4.</ref> This index is available at the National Archives in Washington, DC.  
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'''Other indexes.''' Selected states may have indexed their own land records. Use Internet search engines like ''Google&nbsp;'' to find statewide land indexes that can be used to find legal land descriptions by section number, township number, and range number. ''For example'', see the [https://history.nebraska.gov/collections/nebraska-homestead-land-records Nebraska 1860-1954 Tract Books Index].  
'''Other indexes.''' Selected states may have indexed their own land records. Use Internet search engines like ''Google&nbsp;'' to find statewide land indexes that can be used to find legal land descriptions by section number, township number, and range number. ''For example'', see the [https://history.nebraska.gov/collections/nebraska-homestead-land-records Nebraska 1860-1954 Tract Books Index].  


===== Obtaining patented case files  =====
==== Obtaining patented case files  ====


All the land entry case files are indexed for ancestors who completed the application process and obtained a patent (original title) for their land. The indexes provide the information needed to request a copy of the case file.  
All the land entry case files are indexed for ancestors who completed the application process and obtained a patent (original title) for their land. The indexes provide the information needed to request a copy of the case file.  
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For $50 the National Archives will copy a land entry case file if you properly complete [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) and submit it. They prefer online orders but will accept mail orders. Instructions are on the form.  
For $50 the National Archives will copy a land entry case file if you properly complete [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) and submit it. They prefer online orders but will accept mail orders. Instructions are on the form.  


===== Obtaining unindexed case files  =====
==== Obtaining unindexed case files  ====


An unfinished, rejected, or otherwise cancelled claim will nevertheless have a land entry case file. These files, especially when contested, can provide more detailed genealogical information than cases which were readily accepted. Unfinished, rejected, or cancelled files are indexed for ''only a few states''. Nevertheless, they still can be found by researching '''tract books''' for the area where an ancestor started the claim. Tract books can also be used to find information for pre-1820 cases.<ref name="Hone">E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah : Ancestry Pub., c1997), 113. {{WorldCat|483096407|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|766994|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 R27h}}.</ref> The information from the tract book and a land entry in that tract book is usually enough to allow the National Archives to pull an otherwise unindexed case file for you.  
An unfinished, rejected, or otherwise cancelled claim will nevertheless have a land entry case file. These files, especially when contested, can provide more detailed genealogical information than cases which were readily accepted. Unfinished, rejected, or cancelled files are indexed for ''only a few states''. Nevertheless, they still can be found by researching '''tract books''' for the area where an ancestor started the claim. Tract books can also be used to find information for pre-1820 cases.<ref name="Hone">E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah : Ancestry Pub., c1997), 113. {{WorldCat|483096407|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|766994|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 R27h}}.</ref> The information from the tract book and a land entry in that tract book is usually enough to allow the National Archives to pull an otherwise unindexed case file for you.  
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The [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) instructions assume a researcher has a patent number (or final certificate number), which will not exist for unfinished, rejected or cancelled land entries. Therefore, you must provide '''''as much information as possible&nbsp;''''' including tract book page photocopies, and cite the tract book title, volume, and page number for the ancestor's entry. Explain that the case never received a patent, and any relevant information you know about why it failed. These will help, but the National Archives may still have difficulty pulling a file without a patent number (or final certificate number).  
The [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) instructions assume a researcher has a patent number (or final certificate number), which will not exist for unfinished, rejected or cancelled land entries. Therefore, you must provide '''''as much information as possible&nbsp;''''' including tract book page photocopies, and cite the tract book title, volume, and page number for the ancestor's entry. Explain that the case never received a patent, and any relevant information you know about why it failed. These will help, but the National Archives may still have difficulty pulling a file without a patent number (or final certificate number).  


===== Tract books  =====
==== Tract books  ====
 
Tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over 10 million of land entry case files held at the National Archives in Washington, DC. However, they are arranged according to the '''''land description&nbsp;''''' (township, range, and section) rather than the name of the claimant. They include '''all''' applicants for federal land, including those whose claim failed to receive a patent because it was unfinished, forfeited, rejected or cancelled.<ref name="Hone" />  
Tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over 10 million of land entry case files held at the National Archives in Washington, DC. However, they are arranged according to the '''''land description&nbsp;''''' (township, range, and section) rather than the name of the claimant. They include '''all''' applicants for federal land, including those whose claim failed to receive a patent because it was unfinished, forfeited, rejected or cancelled.<ref name="Hone" />  


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This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the land entry case file for you.  
This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the land entry case file for you.  


==== Related Wiki Articles  ====
== Additional Information - Wiki Articles  ==


*[[Tract books]] history, preparing for them, how to use them, content, access, and related case files.  
*[[Tract books]] history, preparing for them, how to use them, content, access, and related case files.  
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*[[Canada Land and Property]] where a rectangular survey system was one of four main types of surveying systems, especially in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces.
*[[Canada Land and Property]] where a rectangular survey system was one of four main types of surveying systems, especially in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces.


==== Related Websites  ====
== Additional Information - Websites  ==


*[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records] includes the Land Patent Search, instructions, and search tips.  
*[https://glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspxsearch/default.aspx Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records] includes the Land Patent Search, instructions, and search tips.  
*[http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf Form NATF-084] (pdf) used to order land entry case files from the National Archives.  
*[http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf Form NATF-084] (pdf) used to order land entry case files from the National Archives.  
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/land/ Land Records: Introduction and Links to Resources on Land Entry Case Files and Related Records] National Archives explain land record research.  
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/land/ Land Records: Introduction and Links to Resources on Land Entry Case Files and Related Records] National Archives explain land record research.  
*[http://www.glo.texas.gov/history/archives/land-grants/index.cfm Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search] over 665,000 Texas land entries. Also includes grants from Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of TX.
*[http://www.glo.texas.gov/history/archives/land-grants/index.cfm Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search] over 665,000 Texas land entries. Also includes grants from Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of TX.


==== For Further Reading  ====
== Additional Information - Books ==


*Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. [http://www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/rip114.pdf Internet version (pdf)] {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FSC|1440124|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}  
*Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. [http://www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/rip114.pdf Internet version (pdf)] {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FSC|1440124|item|disp=FS Library Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}  
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*E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah&nbsp;: Ancestry Pub., c1997), chapters 8 and 9. {{WorldCat|483096407|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|766994|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 R27h}}.
*E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah&nbsp;: Ancestry Pub., c1997), chapters 8 and 9. {{WorldCat|483096407|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|766994|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 R27h}}.


=== References  ===
== References  ==


{{reflist}}  
{{reflist}}  
{{U.S. Land and Property}} </div>{{-}}  
{{U.S. Land and Property}} </div>{{-}}  
[[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]]
[[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]]
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