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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Alabama]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[ | ''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Alabama]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Alabama Land and Property|Land and Property]]'' | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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==== '''Spain''' (1783-1813) ==== | ==== '''Spain''' (1783-1813) ==== | ||
The area north of the 31st parallel (the mouth of the Yazoo River) was controlled by Spain from 1783 to1795. The area south of the 31st parallel, including Mobile, was controlled by Spain from 1783 until 1813. | |||
The records are at the Archivo General De Indias in Seville, Spain. Some of the Spanish land records, 1763 to 1809, are listed in chapter one of: | The records are at the Archivo General De Indias in Seville, Spain. Some of the Spanish land records, 1763 to 1809, are listed in chapter one of: | ||
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*Feldman, Lawrence H. ''Anglo-Americans in Spanish Archives: Lists of Anglo-American Settlers in the Spanish Colonies of America; A Finding Aid''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1991. {{FHL|443711|item|disp=FHL book 973 X2fe}} After the American Revolution many settlers rushed to settle unclaimed Spanish land. This book contains lists of residents at Mobile, 1781, 1785, 1786, 1795 and Tombecbe, 1781, 1791. | *Feldman, Lawrence H. ''Anglo-Americans in Spanish Archives: Lists of Anglo-American Settlers in the Spanish Colonies of America; A Finding Aid''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1991. {{FHL|443711|item|disp=FHL book 973 X2fe}} After the American Revolution many settlers rushed to settle unclaimed Spanish land. This book contains lists of residents at Mobile, 1781, 1785, 1786, 1795 and Tombecbe, 1781, 1791. | ||
Many claims that go back to the Spanish period are also listed in First Settlers of the Mississippi Territory cited above under "England (1763–1783)." | Many claims that go back to the Spanish period are also listed in ''First Settlers of the Mississippi Territory'' cited above under "England (1763–1783)." | ||
==== Georgia (1795–1802, north of the 31st parallel) ==== | ==== Georgia (1795–1802, north of the 31st parallel) ==== | ||
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:The Georgia Mississippi Company | :The Georgia Mississippi Company | ||
*''The Historical and Genealogical Atlas of North America'' by Richard C. Jackson has several maps of early Alabama. A map showing the location of land belonging to the Georgia Company, Tennessee Company, and Upper Mississippi Company is on page 93. Page 36 has a map from approximately 1787 showing the trading paths from Georgia to present-day Alabama. Records concerning purchases of these Georgia lands have been published in volume one, pages 215–246 of the American State Papers, cited above under "France." | *''The Historical and Genealogical Atlas of North America'' by Richard C. Jackson has several maps of early Alabama. A map showing the location of land belonging to the Georgia Company, Tennessee Company, and Upper Mississippi Company is on page 93. Page 36 has a map from approximately 1787 showing the trading paths from Georgia to present-day Alabama. Records concerning purchases of these Georgia lands have been published in volume one, pages 215–246 of the ''American State Papers'', cited above under "France." | ||
If there is an indication that your ancestors were from Georgia, it may be useful to search the various statewide indexes to Georgia land grants. | If there is an indication that your ancestors were from Georgia, it may be useful to search the various statewide indexes to Georgia land grants. | ||
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South Carolina claimed lands in what is now northern Alabama. This was known as the "twelve-mile strip." There do not appear to be many records concerning land sales by South Carolina. | South Carolina claimed lands in what is now northern Alabama. This was known as the "twelve-mile strip." There do not appear to be many records concerning land sales by South Carolina. | ||
If records indicate that your ancestor may have come from South Carolina, it may be helpful to search South Carolina statewide land grant indexes | If records indicate that your ancestor may have come from South Carolina, it may be helpful to search South Carolina statewide land grant indexes mentioned in [[South Carolina Land and Property]]. | ||
==== '''Mississippi Territory (1798–1817) and Alabama Territory (1817–1819)''' ==== | ==== '''Mississippi Territory (1798–1817) and Alabama Territory (1817–1819)''' ==== | ||
In 1783, after the Revolutionary War, the United States gained control of the Mississippi and Alabama Territories. Those holding land at that time were required to file proof of ownership. The land claims for the Mississippi Territory are published in volume one of the American State Papers, pages 594–908, and indexed in Grassroots of America,cited above under "France." | In 1783, after the Revolutionary War, the United States gained control of the Mississippi and Alabama Territories. Those holding land at that time were required to file proof of ownership. The land claims for the Mississippi Territory are published in volume one of the ''American State Papers'', pages 594–908, and indexed in ''Grassroots of America'', cited above under "France." | ||
Another publication listing early settlers (1768 to 1818) in what is now Alabama is First Settlers of the Mississippi Territory, mentioned above under "England." An index is included. | Another publication listing early settlers (1768 to 1818) in what is now Alabama is ''First Settlers of the Mississippi Territory'', mentioned above under "England." An index is included. | ||
For 1798 to 1817, volumes five and six of The Territorial Papers of the United States contain records of the Territory of Mississippi which included present-day Alabama. These records include petitions, memorials, the 1809 census, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama. Also, volume 18 has records of the Territory of Alabama from 1817 to 1819. Volumes five and six, {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 929379}}; Volume 18, {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 874232, item 2}} | For 1798 to 1817, volumes five and six of ''The Territorial Papers of the United States'' contain records of the Territory of Mississippi which included present-day Alabama. These records include petitions, memorials, the 1809 census, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama. Also, volume 18 has records of the Territory of Alabama from 1817 to 1819. Volumes five and six, {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 929379}}; Volume 18, {{FHL|42234|item|disp=FHL film 874232, item 2}} | ||
== '''Federal Government Land Sales (beginning 1806)''' == | == '''Federal Government Land Sales (beginning 1806)''' == | ||
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== Patents, Tract Books, and Land Entry Case Files == | == Patents, Tract Books, and Land Entry Case Files == | ||
The Bureau of Land Management has original patents, tract books, and township plats. Copies of some of these tract books and early records are | The Bureau of Land Management has original patents, tract books, and township plats. Copies of some of these tract books and early records are at the [http://www.archives.state.al.us/ Alabama Department of Archives and History]. The tract books for 1785 to about 1935 are on microfilm at the Family History Library: | ||
*United States. Bureau of Land Management. ''Tract Books.'' Washington, D.C.: Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, 1957. {{FHL|607931|item|disp=FHL film 1445277, first of 1265 films}} The records for Alabama are on {{FHL|607931|item|disp=FHL film 1445277, first of 84 films}} The Land Records compact disc above or the web site can help you learn information you need, such as the land office and the range and township to use these records. The records list the buyer’s name, the amount of property, price of the property, date of purchase, and certificate number. | *United States. Bureau of Land Management. ''Tract Books.'' Washington, D.C.: Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, 1957. {{FHL|607931|item|disp=FHL film 1445277, first of 1265 films}} The records for Alabama are on {{FHL|607931|item|disp=FHL film 1445277, first of 84 films}} The Land Records compact disc above or the web site can help you learn information you need, such as the land office and the range and township to use these records. The records list the buyer’s name, the amount of property, price of the property, date of purchase, and certificate number. | ||
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:E-mail: [mailto:es_general_web@blm.gov es_general_web@blm.gov ] | :E-mail: [mailto:es_general_web@blm.gov es_general_web@blm.gov ] | ||
Land entry case files from 1785 to 1908 consist of the papers created during the process of transferring public land to individuals. They are often rich in genealogical information and may include depositions, receipts, affidavits, citizenship records, evidence of military service, and more. It is important to obtain the land entry file if you can. The files are arranged by the name of the land office and the type of certificate, certificate number, name of the certificate holder, and legal description of the land (township and | Land entry case files from 1785 to 1908 consist of the papers created during the process of transferring public land to individuals. They are often rich in genealogical information and may include depositions, receipts, affidavits, citizenship records, evidence of military service, and more. It is important to obtain the land entry file if you can. The files are arranged by the name of the land office and the type of certificate, certificate number, name of the certificate holder, and legal description of the land (township and range.) A completed NATF Form 84 must accompany requests for the case files. Files are available from: | ||
:'''Textual Reference Branch'''<br> | :'''Textual Reference Branch'''<br> | ||
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:Internet address: [http://www.nara.gov/ www.nara.gov] | :Internet address: [http://www.nara.gov/ www.nara.gov] | ||
The records of | The records of the following land offices have been abstracted and published by Marilyn Davis Hahn Barefield: Cahaba, Centre, Demopolis, Elba, Huntsville, Lebanon, Mardisville, Montgomery, St. Stephen’s, Sparta, and Tuscaloosa. Each book covers varying years between 1768 and 1888. Military warrant records are also included. To find these books, use the Author Information Search of the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under Marilyn Barefield’s name. Each volume is well indexed. | ||
The | The [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx#searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=1 Bureau of Land Management] has digital images of the original survey plats for Alabama. The original survey creates land boundaries and marks them for the first time. | ||
== County Land Records == | == County Land Records == | ||
Once a parcel of land was transferred from government to private ownership, it may have stayed in the family for generations or for only a few months. It may have been subdivided, sold, and resold, with each transaction requiring new records. It is likely that one of your ancestors was recorded in person-to-person transactions like these. These records may offer clues such as the given name of a spouse, a previous residence, names of children, or death information. Land records also offer clues to maiden names if a father deeded property to his daughter upon marriage. Witnesses and neighbors may | Once a parcel of land was transferred from government to private ownership, it may have stayed in the family for generations or for only a few months. It may have been subdivided, sold, and resold, with each transaction requiring new records. It is likely that one of your ancestors was recorded in person-to-person transactions like these. These records may offer clues such as the given name of a spouse, a previous residence, names of children, or death information. Land records also offer clues to maiden names if a father deeded property to his daughter upon marriage. Witnesses and neighbors may be in-laws or relatives. It is important to trace the purchase and sale (or the acquisition and disposition) of each parcel of land your ancestor owned. | ||
The original records are filed in the Judge of Probate’s office. As new counties were formed and boundaries changed, transactions were recorded in the new county, but the parent county retained the records previously created. | The original records are filed in the Judge of Probate’s office. As new counties were formed and boundaries changed, transactions were recorded in the new county, but the parent county retained the records previously created. | ||
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ALABAMA- LAND AND PROPERTY | ALABAMA- LAND AND PROPERTY | ||
ALABAMA, [COUNTY]- LAND AND PROPERTY | ALABAMA, [COUNTY]- LAND AND PROPERTY | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
[http://www.archives.state.al.us/ Alabama Department of Archives and History] | [http://www.archives.state.al.us/ Alabama Department of Archives and History] | ||