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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. | ||
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 [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)}}; {{ | 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 ==== | ||
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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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:'''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'' 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> | ||
:*'''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 [ | :*'''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]. | ||
'''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. | '''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. | ||
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*'''''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]] | *'''''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 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] | :*'''''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 at the National Archives in Washington, and the | :*'''''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 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> | '''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> | ||
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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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