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The state land office is now called the Bureau of Land Records. Extensive files of the bureau's records have been transferred to the State Archives. Many records have been scanned and are now searchable on the [https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania Historial and Museum Commission website]. The Family History Library has copies of many of these records (on over 1,000 microfilms), including: | The state land office is now called the Bureau of Land Records. Extensive files of the bureau's records have been transferred to the State Archives. Many records have been scanned and are now searchable on the [https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania Historial and Museum Commission website]. The Family History Library has copies of many of these records (on over 1,000 microfilms), including: | ||
*Pennsylvania. Board of Property. ''Board of Property Papers, 1682-1850.'' {{FHL|8571|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania. Board of Property. ''Board of Property Papers, 1682-1850.'' {{FHL|8571|item|disp=FS Library film 988274 (first of 19 films)}}. These loose papers involving land disputes are mostly in chronological order. They can contain valuable genealogical and historical information. There is no index to these records, but some of the documents have been extracted in ''Pennsylvania Archives'', series 3, vols. 1. (1681-1739, 1765-1791) and 2 (1792-1795). (see [[Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pennsylvania Genealogy]]). {{FHL|481905|item|disp=FS Library book 974.8 A39p ser. 3, vols. 1-2}} and {{FHL|481905|item|disp=FS Library film 824426 items 1-2}}. There are documents on the films that are not in the books and visa-versa, so both books and films should be used together. The indexes in the books may be used to access the records on the films with a little bit of searching. For example, finding a name in the book index may lead to records in the films covering the same time period. The books contain mistakes. | ||
*''Early Pennsylvania Land Records: Minutes of The Board of Property ''(Baltimore, Maryland.: Genealogical Publishing, 1976) is a published source that lists the names of many early settlers. {{FHL|171386|item|disp= | *''Early Pennsylvania Land Records: Minutes of The Board of Property ''(Baltimore, Maryland.: Genealogical Publishing, 1976) is a published source that lists the names of many early settlers. {{FHL|171386|item|disp=FS Library book 974.8 A39p, ser. 2 vol. 19}}. This was originally published as part of ''Pennsylvania Archives'', second series (see [[Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pennsylvania Genealogy]]), which covers the era 1687 to 1732. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Board of Property, ''Board of Property Petitions, Undated 1682-1815.'' {{FHL|8587|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Board of Property, ''Board of Property Petitions, Undated 1682-1815.'' {{FHL|8587|item|disp=FS Library films 988269-73}}. These and the Board of Property records above can be some of the most valuable land records available for providing family history information. Because of the way land was distributed in Pennsylvania, there were many opportunities for disputes. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Bureau of Land Records, ''Warrant Register, 1682- 1950'' is an important index to land records. {{FHL|23738|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Bureau of Land Records, ''Warrant Register, 1682- 1950'' is an important index to land records. {{FHL|23738|item|disp=FS Library films 1003194-99}}. Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records'', p. 202, states this index includes records beginning in 1733. This is an index to the warrants, patents and surveys listed immediately below. For an index to the earliest warrants and surveys, see Weinberg and Slattery, ''Warrants and Surveys of the Province of Pennsylvania'', also listed below. | ||
*The State Archives has digital images of the [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/Bah/DAM/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/r17-88AllCountiesInterface.htm Warrant Registers 1733-1957] for each county in Pennsylvania. The registers are alphabetical by surname of the warrantee (the person who got the warrant). | *The State Archives has digital images of the [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/Bah/DAM/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/r17-88AllCountiesInterface.htm Warrant Registers 1733-1957] for each county in Pennsylvania. The registers are alphabetical by surname of the warrantee (the person who got the warrant). | ||
*Pennsylvania. Bureau of Land Records. ''Original Warrants''. {{FHL|26098|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania. Bureau of Land Records. ''Original Warrants''. {{FHL|26098|item|disp=FS Library film 1028662 (first of 156 films)}}. These are discussed in Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records'', p. 202 cited above. The ''Warrant Register'' above gives the warrant number in the first column on the left. With that number and the first letter of the last name, one can find the warrant in the proper county. Alphabetical lists by the first letter of the last name and by county are in Pennsylvania Archives, series 3, volumes 24-26. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Bureau of Land Records, ''Patent Books, 1676-1960.'' {{FHL|44185|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Bureau of Land Records, ''Patent Books, 1676-1960.'' {{FHL|44185|item|disp=FS Library film 1028673 (first of 78 films}}. They are discussed in Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records'', pp. 53, 118, 207-8. Besides being indexed in the ''Warrant Register'', they have their own index. They may include other records such as naturalizations, etc. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Surveyor General. ''Original Surveys, 1682-1920''. {{FHL|43569|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Surveyor General. ''Original Surveys, 1682-1920''. {{FHL|43569|item|disp=FS Library film 1003388 (first of 499 films)}}. These records are described in Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records'', pp. 47-48. A partial index is also Pennsylvania, Surveyor General, ''Index to Old Rights in Philadelphia County, 1682-1748.'' {{FHL|106785|item|disp=FS Library film 1028671 item 1}}, and Pennsylvania, Surveyor General, ''Index to Old Rights in Bucks and Chester Counties, 1682-1761.'' {{FHL|106269|item|disp=FS Library film 1028678 item 3}}. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Depositions, 1683-1881'' also gives helpful family history information. {{FHL|9770|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Depositions, 1683-1881'' also gives helpful family history information. {{FHL|9770|item|disp=FS Library films 986869-82}}. These were usually made when land disputes were involved. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Caveats, 1699-1890'' are important records suggesting land disputes. {{FHL|10829|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Caveats, 1699-1890'' are important records suggesting land disputes. {{FHL|10829|item|disp=FS Library film 986599 (first of 20 films)}}. These were legal documents to postpone acceptance of surveys or patents until all issues were resolved. Records of land disputes can be fruitful sources of genealogical information. Caveats for the period 1748-1784 are abstracted in ''Pennsylvania Archives'', series 3, volume 2, pp. 159-660. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Applications for Warrants, 1734-1865'' {{FHL|99197|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Applications for Warrants, 1734-1865'' {{FHL|99197|item|disp=FS Library film 984123 (first of 173 films)}}. These records are arranged chronologically. From 1762-1776, these applications are filed by the first letter of the applicant's surname within each year. Many applications are on small slips of paper that contain the name of the applicant, the date, and the location of the land desired. Sometimes, additional details are given, such as neighbors to the property. Often, more than one application will be listed on a document. If the applications are in alphabetical order, order was determined by the first name on the page. Other important documents may be found in these records, such as petitions, etc. | ||
*Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Proof of Settlement Records, 1797-1869'' are helpful records for the northwestern area of the state. {{FHL|10771|item|disp= | *Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Proof of Settlement Records, 1797-1869'' are helpful records for the northwestern area of the state. {{FHL|10771|item|disp=FS Library film 986619 (first of 15 films)}}. As the title explains, individuals submitted proof of their settlement on a parcel of land. These records may tell when the owner settled the land and describe the improvements made. | ||
[[File:Holland Land Co holdings in NY & PA.png|right|400px]]'''Land Companies'''. The Holland Land Company and the Pennsylvania Population Company acquired large tracts of land for speculation purposes in the Last Purchase area in northwestern Pennsylvania, obtained by treaty in 1784. Many of the names in their records are fictitious. They sold their land between 1801 and 1840. The Family History Library has copies of some records of these companies, including certificates and miscellaneous papers. The [[SUNY Fredonia Reed Library]] (Fredonia, NY), the [[Cornell University Library]] (Ithaca, NY), and the [[Stadsarchief Amsterdam]] (Netherlands) have additional HLC papers. | [[File:Holland Land Co holdings in NY & PA.png|right|400px]]'''Land Companies'''. The Holland Land Company and the Pennsylvania Population Company acquired large tracts of land for speculation purposes in the Last Purchase area in northwestern Pennsylvania, obtained by treaty in 1784. Many of the names in their records are fictitious. They sold their land between 1801 and 1840. The Family History Library has copies of some records of these companies, including certificates and miscellaneous papers. The [[SUNY Fredonia Reed Library]] (Fredonia, NY), the [[Cornell University Library]] (Ithaca, NY), and the [[Stadsarchief Amsterdam]] (Netherlands) have additional HLC papers. | ||
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'''Military Bounty Lands'''. The state awarded some lands for military service. Certificates of depreciation were issued to Revolutionary soldiers to supplement the money they had received, which had depreciated in value. These certificates were sold or redeemed for land in the Last Purchase treaty area in western Pennsylvania, obtained in 1784. See: <br> | '''Military Bounty Lands'''. The state awarded some lands for military service. Certificates of depreciation were issued to Revolutionary soldiers to supplement the money they had received, which had depreciated in value. These certificates were sold or redeemed for land in the Last Purchase treaty area in western Pennsylvania, obtained in 1784. See: <br> | ||
::Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Original Warrants of Depreciation Lands, 1780-1800,'' {{FHL|9785|item|disp= | ::Pennsylvania, Land Office, ''Original Warrants of Depreciation Lands, 1780-1800,'' {{FHL|9785|item|disp=FS Library film 985462 (first of 4 films)}}.<br> | ||
'''Donation land in the Last Purchase treaty area''' was issued to veterans of the Pennsylvania Line in the Continental Army. Eligible veterans drew lots for a piece of land and then paid a small fee for their certificate. Most soldiers sold their title instead of settling on the land. The library has Pennsylvania, Surveyor General's Office, ''Donation Lands Records, 1780-1800.'' {{FHL|9688|item|FHL films 987058-66}}. For a printed list of names, see ''Pennsylvania Archives'', series 3, volume 7, pp. 659-795. | '''Donation land in the Last Purchase treaty area''' was issued to veterans of the Pennsylvania Line in the Continental Army. Eligible veterans drew lots for a piece of land and then paid a small fee for their certificate. Most soldiers sold their title instead of settling on the land. The library has Pennsylvania, Surveyor General's Office, ''Donation Lands Records, 1780-1800.'' {{FHL|9688|item|FHL films 987058-66}}. For a printed list of names, see ''Pennsylvania Archives'', series 3, volume 7, pp. 659-795. | ||
*A description of the Bureau of Land Records is in Pennsylvania Bureau of Land Records, in ''Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly,'' vol. 8, no. 4, May 1982. {{FHL|151821|item|disp= | *A description of the Bureau of Land Records is in Pennsylvania Bureau of Land Records, in ''Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly,'' vol. 8, no. 4, May 1982. {{FHL|151821|item|disp=FS Library book 974.8 B2wg}} and {{FHL|151821|item|disp=FS Library film 2024355}}. | ||
The State Archives sells warrantee township maps. These show the original land grants within present-day township boundaries. The maps include the names of the original warrantee and patentee, the number of acres, and the dates of warrant, survey, and patent. | The State Archives sells warrantee township maps. These show the original land grants within present-day township boundaries. The maps include the names of the original warrantee and patentee, the number of acres, and the dates of warrant, survey, and patent. | ||
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===Indexes of Colonial and State Records=== | ===Indexes of Colonial and State Records=== | ||
If one of your ancestors could have received a warrant to have land surveyed between 1682 and 1898, but you don't know in what county, see Pennsylvania Archives, 3d series. Volumes 1-4 and 24-26 include land records. The surname indexes are in volumes 27-30 {{FHL|481905|item|disp= | If one of your ancestors could have received a warrant to have land surveyed between 1682 and 1898, but you don't know in what county, see Pennsylvania Archives, 3d series. Volumes 1-4 and 24-26 include land records. The surname indexes are in volumes 27-30 {{FHL|481905|item|disp=FS Library films 824436-38}}. | ||
For additional assistance in identifying the county, search Allen Weinberg and Thomas E. Slattery, ''Warrants and Surveys of the Province of Pennsylvania Including the Three Lower Counties, 1759 ''(1965, Reprint, Knightstown, Indiana: Bookmark, 1975. {{FHL|249920|item|disp= | For additional assistance in identifying the county, search Allen Weinberg and Thomas E. Slattery, ''Warrants and Surveys of the Province of Pennsylvania Including the Three Lower Counties, 1759 ''(1965, Reprint, Knightstown, Indiana: Bookmark, 1975. {{FHL|249920|item|disp=FS Library book 974.8 R2w}} and {{FHL|249920|item|disp=FS Library films 982105 item 7 and 1036747 item 2}}. This source indexes warrants by county. Most warrants listed were issued for the period 1682-1759. This book also indexes Pennsylvania, Provincial Assembly, ''Warrants and Surveys of the Province of Pennsylvania, 1682-1759: Transcribed from the Records of the Surveyor General's and Proprietaries Secretary's Offices by John Hughes, Recorder of Warrants and Surveys under the Act of Assembly July 7, 1759'', Original manuscripts, 9 vols. (Philadelphia, PA: Department of Records, 1957), {{FHL|341183|item|disp=FS Library films 981096-97}}. These films are difficult to read. | ||
The [https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission] has several indexes and other land records online of the land records at the Pennsylvania State Archives, including Warrant Registers, Copied Survey Books, Patent Indexes, Patent Tract Name Index, etc. Instructions for using the indexes and records are included as well as where to write to copies of original records. | The [https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission] has several indexes and other land records online of the land records at the Pennsylvania State Archives, including Warrant Registers, Copied Survey Books, Patent Indexes, Patent Tract Name Index, etc. Instructions for using the indexes and records are included as well as where to write to copies of original records. | ||
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The [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/rg17.htm#RentRolls records of the Land Office] are at the Pennsylvania State Archives. The site includes a history of the Land Office and descriptions of the records available at the State Archives. | The [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/rg17.htm#RentRolls records of the Land Office] are at the Pennsylvania State Archives. The site includes a history of the Land Office and descriptions of the records available at the State Archives. | ||
For help with more complicted searches, see Donna Munger's book, ''Pennsylvania Land Records. A History and Guide for Research.'' {{FHL|364977|item|disp= | For help with more complicted searches, see Donna Munger's book, ''Pennsylvania Land Records. A History and Guide for Research.'' {{FHL|364977|item|disp=FS Library book 974.8 R2m}} and [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pennsylvania-land-records-a-history-and-guide-for-research/oclc/22707760&referer=brief_results Other libraries with this book]. | ||
===County Records=== | ===County Records=== | ||
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After the title to a piece of land was obtained from the land office, most subsequent transactions, including sheriff sales and mortgages, were recorded by the recorder of deeds in each county courthouse. You can obtain copies of these records by contacting the recorder of deeds. | After the title to a piece of land was obtained from the land office, most subsequent transactions, including sheriff sales and mortgages, were recorded by the recorder of deeds in each county courthouse. You can obtain copies of these records by contacting the recorder of deeds. | ||
The Family History Library has microfilms of county land records, such as deeds and mortgages, for most counties. For example, from the recorder of deeds in Philadelphia County the library has ''Philadelphia County (Pennsylvania), Recorder of Deeds, Deeds, 1683-1886; Index to Deeds, 1683-1916 ''{{FHL|227024|item|disp= | The Family History Library has microfilms of county land records, such as deeds and mortgages, for most counties. For example, from the recorder of deeds in Philadelphia County the library has ''Philadelphia County (Pennsylvania), Recorder of Deeds, Deeds, 1683-1886; Index to Deeds, 1683-1916 ''{{FHL|227024|item|disp=FS Library film 1318501 (first of 1385 films)}}. To understand the Philadelphia County land index, go to Section B. Grantor/Grantee Indices, [http://www.phila.gov/phils/docs/inventor/deeds.htm Architectural Research Resources at the Philadelphia City Archives & The Department of Records]. | ||
Deeds and other land records for most Pennsylvania counties are on film and can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog by doing a [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog Place Search] under: | Deeds and other land records for most Pennsylvania counties are on film and can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog by doing a [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog Place Search] under: | ||
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