73,385
edits
t
(t) |
(t) |
||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
These tract books document nearly 100 percent of the land transactions in 28 of 30 federal land states between 1820 and 1908. Every ancestor who applied to the federal government in to obtain federal land (except in Alaska or Missouri) should be entered in one of these tract books whether the application was approved (patented), or not. | These tract books document nearly 100 percent of the land transactions in 28 of 30 federal land states between 1820 and 1908. Every ancestor who applied to the federal government in to obtain federal land (except in Alaska or Missouri) should be entered in one of these tract books whether the application was approved (patented), or not. | ||
The availability of inexpensive land was one of the primary attractions for immigrants 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 population would be listed in federal tract books. Nevertheless, the remaining landowners would definitely be mentioned in county land and property records such as deeds. | |||
Because of homesteading, a higher percentage of the land owning population in the Great Plains states are likely to be in tract books than in other western states. On the other hand, it is likely mining and mineral rights claims would be more common in the Mountain West states. | Because of homesteading, a higher percentage of the land owning population in the Great Plains states are likely to be in tract books than in other western states. On the other hand, it is likely mining and mineral rights claims would be more common in the Mountain West states. | ||