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:'''Sources which show the land description:''' | :'''Sources which show the land description:''' | ||
:*'''[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ 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 [http://www.nebraskahistory.org/databases/tractbooks.shtml 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 ==== | ||