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Illinois Land and Property (view source)
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=== Early Settlers | === Introduction === | ||
The value of land records lies in the fact that because land was highly sought after and the transactions were recorded from the time settlers began to arrive, it is a consistent and continuous record of many ancestors lives. Land records can be used to learn where and when an individual lived in certain areas, as well as often revealing useful and interesting family information. | |||
Illinois was a [[Grants_from_the_Federal_Government_(Public_Domain)|“federal-land” state]], which means the federal government appropriated and owned the land after the establishment of the United States. The survey system used in Illinois was the rectangular land survey system (section, township, and range). | |||
If you are new to land research, you may wish to read the Beginner’s corner and other articles included on the [[United_States_Land_and_Property|United States Land and Property]] page. | |||
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=== Early Settlers === | |||
{{CahokiaMound}} Before 1787, settlers in what is now Illinois lived in an area once controlled by France (1678-1763), Spain, Great Britain (1763-1778) or Virginia (1778-1784). Without relocating these settlers were in the Northwest Territory, Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory and finally the State of Illinois in 1818. “Throughout these periods, respective government agents registered land transactions. After the United States established its control over Illinois in 1784, the federal government eventually began a review process to determine the legitimacy of preexisting land claims. When examinations were completed in 1814, federal authorities had confirmed title to less than half of the claims presented to them.” (quoted from Illinois State Archives [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/research_series/rseries1.html Genealogical Research Series Pamphlet No. 1 Land Sale Records]) | {{CahokiaMound}} Before 1787, settlers in what is now Illinois lived in an area once controlled by France (1678-1763), Spain, Great Britain (1763-1778) or Virginia (1778-1784). Without relocating these settlers were in the Northwest Territory, Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory and finally the State of Illinois in 1818. “Throughout these periods, respective government agents registered land transactions. After the United States established its control over Illinois in 1784, the federal government eventually began a review process to determine the legitimacy of preexisting land claims. When examinations were completed in 1814, federal authorities had confirmed title to less than half of the claims presented to them.” (quoted from Illinois State Archives [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/research_series/rseries1.html Genealogical Research Series Pamphlet No. 1 Land Sale Records]) | ||
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As the United States acquired territory, unsettled land became public domain and was sold by the federal government. The first general land office to serve Illinois was at [[Kaskaskia, Illinois|Kaskaskia]], which opened for land sales to the general public in 1814. | As the United States acquired territory, unsettled land became public domain and was sold by the federal government. The first general land office to serve Illinois was at [[Kaskaskia, Illinois|Kaskaskia]], which opened for land sales to the general public in 1814. | ||
Both federal and state officials kept records regarding land transfers from government to private ownership, and personal information in the federal records may not be identical to information in the state records. | Both federal and state officials kept records regarding land transfers from government to private ownership, and personal information in the federal records may not be identical to information in the state records. | ||
==== '''Public Domain Land Tract Sales''' ==== | ==== '''Public Domain Land Tract Sales''' ==== | ||
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'''Federal Records''' | '''Federal Records''' | ||
The Bureau of Land Management and General Land Office (BLM-GLO) has an on line [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch Land Patent Search] which is an index to millions of ancestors in federal land patents from 1788 to the 1960s at the National Archives. Start with this index to get the information needed to obtain the applications for land patents which may be a rich source of genealogical information about a family. The same Internet site also provides access to images of patents for the eastern federal land states. | The Bureau of Land Management and General Land Office (BLM-GLO) has an on line [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch Land Patent Search] which is an index to millions of ancestors in federal land patents from 1788 to the 1960s at the National Archives. Start with this index to get the information needed to obtain the applications for land patents which may be a rich source of genealogical information about a family. The same Internet site also provides access to images of patents for the eastern federal land states. | ||
==== '''Helpful Publications''' ==== | ==== '''Helpful Publications''' ==== | ||