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==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ||
Federal tract books show details about when and where an ancestor first obtained land from the '''federal '''government. Tract books provide information to help find further federal ([[Land entry case files|case files]]) and local land ownership records (deeds) which sometimes hold clues about an ancestor's residence and family members. Also, after finding where an ancestor lived, a researcher can search for a variety of non-land records of the ancestor in that area. Tract books also can be used to find information about neighbors—people who sometimes turn out to be relatives. Tract books even show when an ancestor applied for federal land but failed to obtain it. | Federal tract books show details about when and where an ancestor first obtained land from the '''federal '''government. Tract books provide information to help find further federal ([[Land entry case files|case files]]) and local land ownership records ([[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]]) which sometimes hold clues about an ancestor's residence and family members. Also, after finding where an ancestor lived, a researcher can search for a variety of non-land records of the ancestor in that area. Tract books also can be used to find information about neighbors—people who sometimes turn out to be relatives. Tract books even show when an ancestor applied for federal land but failed to obtain it. | ||
==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ||
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'''Coverage.''' 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. | '''Coverage.''' 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 land-owning 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. | 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 land-owning population would be listed in federal tract books. Nevertheless, the remaining landowners would definitely be mentioned in county land and property records such as [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Deeds|deeds]]. | ||
'''Regional differences.''' Because of homestead laws, a higher percentage of the land owning population in the Great Plains states after 1862 are likely to be in tract books than in other western states. On the other hand, it is likely mining and mineral rights claims in tract books would be more common in the Mountain West states. | '''Regional differences.''' Because of homestead laws, a higher percentage of the land owning population in the Great Plains states after 1862 are likely to be in tract books than in other western states. On the other hand, it is likely mining and mineral rights claims in tract books would be more common in the Mountain West states. | ||