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| link2=[[United States Land and Property|Land and Property]] | |||
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| link5=[[Tract_Books|Tract Books]] | |||
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{{TOC right}}Tract books were originally maintained by the '''federal''' government for each parcel of land | {{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 - FamilySearch Historical Records|United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books - FamilySearch Historical Records]]. | |||
This is similar to '''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. | ||
In most cases the tract books kept by the federal government are more authoritative than copies, if any, kept by General Land Office branch offices, or by states or counties for the same area.<ref>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, 2009), 5. [http://www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/rip114.pdf Internet version (pdf)] {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{ | In most cases the tract books kept by the federal government are more authoritative than copies, if any, kept by General Land Office branch offices, or by states or counties for the same area.<ref>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, 2009), 5. [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> | ||
=== Federal tract books 1820-1908 | === Federal tract books 1820-1908 === | ||
There are 3,907 United States '''federal''' tract books containing the official record of each parcel of public land until it was transferred from federal to private ownership in | There are [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2074276 3,907 United States '''federal''' tract books] containing the official record of each parcel of public land until it was transferred from federal to private ownership in the [[United States Land and Property#United_States|federal land states]] between the years 1820 and 1908.<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> | ||
==== Why they were created ==== | ==== Why they were created ==== | ||
These | These [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States,_Bureau_of_Land_Management_Tract_Books_Coverage_Table_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) '''federal''' tract books] show the federal government transactions and status of each parcel of [[Rectangular surveys|surveyed]] public land. These books indicate who obtained the land, and include a physical description of the property and where the land is located. The type of transaction is also recorded such as cash entry, credit entry, [[Homestead Records|homesteads]], patents (deeds), [[Timberland|timberland rights]], or [[Mining Claims|mineral rights]] granted by the federal government, and other conveyances of title such as Indian allotments, internal improvement grants (to states), [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land warrants]], [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Private land claims|land grants from previous foreign governments]], [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads|railroad grants]], school grants, and swamp grants.<ref name="Hone" /> | ||
==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ||
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==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ||
Federal tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over ten million '''[[Land entry case files|land entry case files]]''' preserved at the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] in Washington, DC.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> These case files show the application papers of each individual who attempted to obtain a private claim to some public land, whether they succeeded or not. '''''Successful claims ''''' received a patent (original title) and are indexed in the [ | Federal tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over ten million '''[[Land entry case files|land entry case files]]''' preserved at the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] in Washington, DC.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> These case files show the application papers of each individual who attempted to obtain a private claim to some public land, whether they succeeded or not. '''''Successful claims ''''' received a patent (original title) and are indexed in the [https://glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx?searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=0 BLM Land Patent Search] 1820-1908 for all [[United States Land and Property#United_States_federal_land_states|federal land states]]. '''''Unsuccessful claims ''''' still have case files, and tract books are one of the best ways to find the information needed to obtain a [[Land entry case files|case file]] from the two million otherwise '''unindexed''' land entry case files that were never finished, forfeited, rejected, or cancelled.<ref>Hone, 113-14.</ref> | ||
=== Content === | === Content === | ||
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*Name of purchaser | *Name of purchaser | ||
* | *Description of the land (section, township and range) | ||
*Date of transaction | *Date of transaction | ||
*Type of transaction (cash, credit, [[Homestead Records|homestead]], [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|bounty land]], etc.) | *Type of transaction (cash, credit, [[Homestead Records|homestead]], [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|bounty land]], etc.) | ||
*Final disposition of transaction (canceled, | *Final disposition of transaction (canceled, relinquished or completed) | ||
Additional items of information | Additional items of information might also be found in the tract books: number of acres, date of sale, purchase price, land office, entry number, final Certificate of Purchase number, and notes on relinquishment and conversions. Such remarks added near an entry sometimes provide clues to find additional records. | ||
<div style="float: left; width: 100%"> | <div style="float: left; width: 100%"> | ||
[[Image:{{tractbks}}]] | [[Image:{{tractbks}}]] | ||
''' | '''A Patent''' was issued for all successful transaction in the tract books. Patents are very reliable and represent the formal legal transfer of land from federal to private ownership. Think of a patent as the '''first deed''' for that land. Subsequent land transfers would be a deed recorded in the local county offices. Often a patent was also recorded in the county offices. | ||
'''A | '''A Case file''' was created for each transaction in the tract books, even if the transaction was not successful. [[Land entry case files|Case files]] can include a variety of records such as applications, reports, affidavits, genealogical pages from family Bibles, citizenship papers, letters from attorneys, surveys or etc. Since each case file is different, the contents must be evaluated individually to assess their reliability. | ||
''' | '''Reliability''' Tract book entries were almost always recorded close to the time of land transactions. They are part of the formal record and are considered accurate and reliable, at least as far as the transfer of ownership is concerned. | ||
'''Coverage''' These tract books document nearly 100 percent of the land transactions for federal land states between 1820 and 1908. Every ancestor who applied to the federal government to obtain federal land should be entered in one of these tract books, whether the application was approved, or not | '''Coverage''' These tract books document nearly 100 percent of the land transactions for federal land states between 1820 and 1908. Every ancestor who applied to the federal government to obtain federal land should be entered in one of these tract books, whether the application was approved, or not. | ||
The availability of inexpensive land was one of the primary attractions for immigrants to come to America. As high as 80 percent of the population have owned property at some point in their life. However, only a small part of population obtained that land '''directly''' from the federal government. Therefore, only a small percentage of the land-owning population would be listed in federal tract books. Nevertheless, the remaining landowners would definitely be mentioned in county land and property records such as [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]]. | The availability of inexpensive land was one of the primary attractions for immigrants to come to America. As high as 80 percent of the population have owned property at some point in their life. However, only a small part of population obtained that land '''directly''' from the federal government. Therefore, only a small percentage of the land-owning population would be listed in federal tract books. Nevertheless, the remaining landowners would definitely be mentioned in county land and property records such as [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]]. | ||
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:'''Sources which show the land description:''' | :'''Sources which show the land description:''' | ||
:*'''[https://glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx?searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=0 BLM land patent search].''' The online index to eight million land patents 1820-1908 and [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land]] shows each entry's land description. However, this index does '''not''' include the two million [[Land entry case files|case files]] which were rejected or cancelled. | |||
:*'''Land patent.''' If your family still has the patent (original title) for a piece of property, that patent will show the land description. | :*'''Land patent.''' If your family still has the patent (original title) for a piece of property, that patent will show the land description. | ||
:*'''Seven states index.''' The ''seven states index'' at the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]], also gives each entry's land description for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah for pre-1908 [[Land entry case files|case files]] both patented and unpatented.<ref>Hawkins, 3-4.</ref> | |||
:*'''Seven states index.''' The ''seven states index | :*'''Use search engines like''' '''Google''' to identify state land record indexes that could reveal land descriptions. Selected states may have indexed their own tract book records. ''For example'', see the [https://history.nebraska.gov/collections/nebraska-homestead-land-records Nebraska 1860-1954 Tract Books Index]. | ||
:*'''Use search engines like | |||
'''2. Search tract books page-by-page.''' | '''2. Search tract books page-by-page.''' If you only have an approximate idea where your ancestor lived, then search page-by-page through the tract books for that area until you find his or her name. | ||
==== Select the tract books to search ==== | ==== Select the tract books to search ==== | ||
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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]] | ||
*''''' | *'''''FS Catalog description.''''' For a detailed list of this collection's '''contents by film number''', see the FamilySearch Catalog entry: | ||
::United States, Bureau of Land Management, ''{{ | ::United States, Bureau of Land Management, ''{{FSC|607931|item|disp=Tract Books}}'' (Washington, D.C. : Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, 1957). {{WorldCat|866217989|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|607931|item|disp=On 1,265 FS Library Films starting with 1445277}}.<br><br> | ||
*'''''Index'''''. Or, if you have access to the National Archives in Washington, DC, use the '''''Index to Tract Books, RG 49, MLR# UD2321''''',<ref>Index to Tract Books, RG 49, MLR# UD2321, maps arranged by state. Copies of these maps are available for consultation in room G28 of the National Archives Building, Washington, DC, as cited in Hawkins, page 6.</ref> to each state's tract books which allows researchers to identify the tract book number that covers the area in which they are interested.<ref>Hawkins, 4.</ref> | *'''''Index'''''. Or, if you have access to the National Archives in Washington, DC, use the '''''Index to Tract Books, RG 49, MLR# UD2321''''',<ref>Index to Tract Books, RG 49, MLR# UD2321, maps arranged by state. Copies of these maps are available for consultation in room G28 of the National Archives Building, Washington, DC, as cited in Hawkins, page 6.</ref> to each state's tract books which allows researchers to identify the tract book number that covers the area in which they are interested.<ref>Hawkins, 4.</ref> | ||
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Internet digital versions of federal tract books, microfilms, and originals exist: | Internet digital versions of federal tract books, microfilms, and originals exist: | ||
:*'''''Internet.''''' Digital copies of | :*'''''Internet.''''' Digital copies of federal-land-state's tract books are available in FamilySearch Historical Records online at [http://familysearch.org/search/collection/2074276 United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1820-1908] | ||
:*'''''Microfilms''''' of tract books are also on 1,265 films for each federal-land state | :*'''''Microfilms''''' of tract books are also on 1,265 films for each federal-land state at the National Archives in Washington, and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. | ||
::*United States Bureau of Land Management, ''Tract Books'' (Washington, District of Columbia : Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, 1957). {{WorldCat|866217989|item|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} {{ | ::*United States Bureau of Land Management, ''Tract Books'' (Washington, District of Columbia : Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, 1957). {{WorldCat|866217989|item|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} {{FSC|607931|item|disp=1,265 FS Library Films starting with 1445277}}. | ||
'''Storage of the originals.''' The [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]] has the original tract books for | '''Storage of the originals.''' The [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives in Washington, DC]] has the original tract books for the western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern State Office, 7450 Boston Blvd, Springfield, VA 22153 has custody of the tract books for eastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and Wisconsin.<ref>Hawkins, 4-5.</ref> | ||
=== Local tract books and land records === | === Local tract books and land records === | ||
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General Land Office branch offices, state and county archives sometimes have partial copies of federal tract books. In general these are not as authoritative as the federal copies.<ref>Hawkins, 5.</ref> | General Land Office branch offices, state and county archives sometimes have partial copies of federal tract books. In general these are not as authoritative as the federal copies.<ref>Hawkins, 5.</ref> | ||
Counties are responsible for documenting all land transactions AFTER title was transferred from the federal government to an individual. [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|Deeds]], mortgages, property tax records, and [[Maps|plat maps]] are examples of land records typically generated at the county level. | Counties are responsible for documenting all land transactions AFTER title was transferred from the federal government to an individual. [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|Deeds]], mortgages, property tax records, and [[United States Maps|plat maps]] are examples of land records typically generated at the county level. | ||
=== 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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=== Related Websites === | === Related Websites === | ||
*[ | *[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|land entry case files]] from the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]. | *[http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf Form NATF-084] (pdf) used to order [[Land entry case files|land entry case files]] from the [[National Archives and Records Administration|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. | ||
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=== For Further Reading === | === For Further Reading === | ||
*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)}} {{ | *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}} | ||
*E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah : Ancestry Pub., c1997), chapters 8 and 9. {{WorldCat|483096407|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}; {{ | *E. Wade Hone, ''Land and Property Research in the United States'' (Salt Lake City, Utah : 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}} {{U.S. Land and Property}} </div> {{-}} | {{reflist}} {{U.S. Land and Property}} </div> {{-}} | ||
[[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]] | [[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]] | ||
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