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==== Why they were created ==== | ==== Why they were created ==== | ||
These '''''federal ''''' tract books show the federal government transactions and status of each parcel of [[Rectangular surveys|surveyed]] public land. These books indicate who obtained the land, and include a physical description of the property and where the land is located. The type of transaction is also recorded such as cash entry, credit entry, [[Homestead Records|homesteads]], patents (deeds), [[Timberland|timberland rights]], or [[Mining Claims|mineral rights]] granted by the federal government, and other conveyances of title such as Indian allotments, internal improvement grants (to states), [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land warrants]], land grants from previous foreign governments, [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads|railroad grants]], school grants, and swamp grants.<ref name="Hone" /> | These '''''federal ''''' tract books show the federal government transactions and status of each parcel of [[Rectangular surveys|surveyed]] public land. These books indicate who obtained the land, and include a physical description of the property and where the land is located. The type of transaction is also recorded such as cash entry, credit entry, [[Homestead Records|homesteads]], patents (deeds), [[Timberland|timberland rights]], or [[Mining Claims|mineral rights]] granted by the federal government, and other conveyances of title such as Indian allotments, internal improvement grants (to states), [[US Military Bounty Land Warrants|military bounty land warrants]], [[United States. United-States - Land and Property- Private land claims|land grants from previous foreign governments]], [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads|railroad grants]], school grants, and swamp grants.<ref name="Hone" /> | ||
==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ==== Why genealogists use them ==== | ||
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==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ==== Tract books lead to case files ==== | ||
Federal tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over ten million '''[[Land entry case files|land entry case files]]''' preserved at the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] in Washington, DC.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> These case files show the application papers of each individual who attempted to obtain a private claim to some public land, whether they succeeded or not. '''''Successful claims ''''' received a patent (original title) and are indexed in the [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ BLM Land Patent Search] 1820-1908 for all [[United States Land and Property#United_States_federal_land_states|federal land states]]. '''''Unsuccessful claims ''''' still have case files, and tract books are one of the best ways to find the information needed to obtain a case file from the two million otherwise '''unindexed''' land entry case files that were never finished, forfeited, rejected, or cancelled.<ref>Hone, 113-14.</ref> | Federal tract books serve as a comprehensive reference to over ten million '''[[Land entry case files|land entry case files]]''' preserved at the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] in Washington, DC.<ref>Hawkins, 1.</ref> These case files show the application papers of each individual who attempted to obtain a private claim to some public land, whether they succeeded or not. '''''Successful claims ''''' received a patent (original title) and are indexed in the [http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/ BLM Land Patent Search] 1820-1908 for all [[United States Land and Property#United_States_federal_land_states|federal land states]]. '''''Unsuccessful claims ''''' still have case files, and tract books are one of the best ways to find the information needed to obtain a [[Land entry case files|case file]] from the two million otherwise '''unindexed''' land entry case files that were never finished, forfeited, rejected, or cancelled.<ref>Hone, 113-14.</ref> | ||
=== Content === | === Content === | ||
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'''Reliability.''' Tract book entries were almost always recorded close to the time of land transactions. They are part of the formal record and are accurate and reliable. | '''Reliability.''' Tract book entries were almost always recorded close to the time of land transactions. They are part of the formal record and are accurate and reliable. | ||
''Associated records''. Two types of records are closely associated with tract books: patents and case files. Patents are very reliable and represent the formal transfer of land from federal to private ownership. Case files can include a variety of records such as applications, reports, affidavits, genealogical pages from family Bibles, letters from attorneys, or surveys which must be evaluated individually to assess their reliability. | ''Associated records''. Two types of records are closely associated with tract books: patents and case files. Patents are very reliable and represent the formal transfer of land from federal to private ownership. [[Land entry case files|Case files]] can include a variety of records such as applications, reports, affidavits, genealogical pages from family Bibles, letters from attorneys, or surveys which must be evaluated individually to assess their reliability. | ||
'''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. | ||
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'''Regional differences.''' Because of [[Homestead Records|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 Claims|mining and mineral rights claims]] in tract books would be more common in the Mountain West states. | '''Regional differences.''' Because of [[Homestead Records|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 Claims|mining and mineral rights claims]] in tract books would be more common in the Mountain West states. | ||
'''References to 2 million unindexed case files.''' There are over ten million land entry case files (applications) in the National Archives most of which would have a corresponding entry in a tract book. About eight million land patents have been indexed in the BLM [[Land Patent Search]] for successfully completed federal land applications. This suggests about two million applications were left unfinished or were rejected—the best remaining access point to such unpatented case files is through page-by-page tract book searches. | '''References to 2 million unindexed case files.''' There are over ten million [[Land entry case files|land entry case files]] (applications) in the National Archives most of which would have a corresponding entry in a tract book. About eight million land patents have been indexed in the BLM [[Land Patent Search]] for successfully completed federal land applications. This suggests about two million applications were left unfinished or were rejected—the best remaining access point to such unpatented case files is through page-by-page tract book searches. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
=== Arrangement === | === Arrangement === | ||
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:*'''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. | ||
:*'''[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 case files which were never finished, forfeited, relinquished, or cancelled. | :*'''[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 never finished, forfeited, relinquished, or cancelled. | ||
:*'''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. The index covers Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah for pre-1908 case files both patented and unpatented.<ref>Hawkins, 3-4.</ref> | :*'''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. The index covers 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> | ||
:*'''Use search engines like Google to identify state land record indexes that could reveal land descriptions.''' | :*'''Use search engines like Google to identify state land record indexes that could reveal land descriptions.''' | ||
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:*write down the '''''exact title, volume number, and page number ''''' (source information) of the tract book volume in which the ancestor's entry was found | :*write down the '''''exact title, volume number, and page number ''''' (source information) of the tract book volume in which the ancestor's entry was found | ||
This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the land entry case file for you. | This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the [[Land entry case files|land entry case file]] for you. | ||
'''Evaluate and record the data.''' Evaluate each piece of information given. Assess its accuracy and likelyhood. Compare and contrast the new data with previous information about the ancestor. Try to explain contradictory data. | '''Evaluate and record the data.''' Evaluate each piece of information given. Assess its accuracy and likelyhood. Compare and contrast the new data with previous information about the ancestor. Try to explain contradictory data. | ||
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'''Follow-up sources.''' Then use the new information from the tract book to help find further records. For example: | '''Follow-up sources.''' Then use the new information from the tract book to help find further records. For example: | ||
:*'''Case files.''' Every entry in a tract book should have a corresponding case file. Use the tract book information to order copies of the land entry case files from the National Archives. For $50 the National Archives will copy a land entry case file if you properly complete [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) and submit it. They prefer online orders but will accept mail orders. Instructions are on the form. | :*'''Case files.''' Every entry in a tract book should have a corresponding [[Land entry case files|case file]]. Use the tract book information to order copies of the land entry case files from the National Archives. For $50 the National Archives will copy a land entry case file if you properly complete [http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf form NATF-084] (pdf) and submit it. They prefer online orders but will accept mail orders. Instructions are on the form. | ||
:*'''Other related files.''' Case files are usually only part of the iceberg. Patents, warrants, surveys, and newspaper notifications are among the kinds of records that '''''may ''''' be found outside of case files. Look for extra land records at the federal, state, or county levels. | :*'''Other related files.''' Case files are usually only part of the iceberg. Patents, warrants, surveys, and newspaper notifications are among the kinds of records that '''''may ''''' be found outside of case files. Look for extra land records at the federal, state, or county levels. | ||
:*'''Disposal of the property.''' Find out how your ancestor disposed of the property as a way of finding clues about possible relatives. For example, your ancestor may have sold or given land to his or her heirs before death, or the heirs may have sold the land after the individual died. For daughters, the names of their husbands are often provided. For sons, the given names of their wives may be included. Heirs may have sold their interest in the land to another heir even though the record may not indicate this. | :*'''Disposal of the property.''' Find out how your ancestor disposed of the property as a way of finding clues about possible relatives. For example, your ancestor may have sold or given land to his or her heirs before death, or the heirs may have sold the land after the individual died. For daughters, the names of their husbands are often provided. For sons, the given names of their wives may be included. Heirs may have sold their interest in the land to another heir even though the record may not indicate this. | ||
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:*write down the '''''exact title, volume number, and page number ''''' (source information) of the tract book volume in which the ancestor's entry was found | :*write down the '''''exact title, volume number, and page number ''''' (source information) of the tract book volume in which the ancestor's entry was found | ||
This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the land entry case file for you. | This information is important to helping the National Archives retrieve the land entry [[Land entry case files|case file]] for you. | ||
=== Access === | === Access === | ||
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*[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records] includes the Land Patent Search, instructions, and search tips. | *[http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records] includes the Land Patent Search, instructions, and search tips. | ||
*[http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf Form NATF-084] (pdf) used to order land entry case files from the National Archives. | *[http://www.archives.gov/forms/pdf/natf-84.pdf Form NATF-084] (pdf) used to order [[Land entry case files|land entry case files]] from the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]. | ||
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/land/ Land Records: Introduction and Links to Resources on Land Entry Case Files and Related Records] National Archives explain land record research. | *[http://www.archives.gov/research/land/ Land Records: Introduction and Links to Resources on Land Entry Case Files and Related Records] National Archives explain land record research. | ||
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=== References === | === References === | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} {{U.S. Land and Property}} {{-}} | ||
{{U.S. Land and Property}} {{-}} | |||
[[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]] | [[Category:United_States_Land_and_Property]] | ||