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The value of land records lies in the fact that land was highly sought after and the transactions were recorded from the time settlers began to arrive. Therefore,they are consistent and continuous record of many ancestors' lives. Land records can be used to learn where and when an individual lived in certain areas, and often reveal useful and interesting family information. | The value of land records lies in the fact that land was highly sought after and the transactions were recorded from the time settlers began to arrive. Therefore,they are consistent and continuous record of many ancestors' lives. Land records can be used to learn where and when an individual lived in certain areas, and often reveal useful and interesting family information. | ||
Arizona is a “federal-land” (public-domain) state, which means it was the federal government who disbursed the land to private individuals. Any unclaimed land was first surveyed, then granted or sold by the government through federal and state land offices. The first sale of a piece of land from the government was called a land patent and the first owner of the land was called a patentee. | Arizona is a “federal-land” (public-domain) state, which means it was the federal government who disbursed the land to private individuals. Any unclaimed land was first surveyed, then granted or sold by the government through federal and state land offices. The first sale of a piece of land from the government was called a land patent and the first owner of the land was called a patentee. Records from federal and state offices can have genealogical value. For detailed descriptions of land record types see [[United States Land and Property|United States Land and Property]]. | ||
Later when the land was sold or mortgaged by private owners the document was called a deed. These land transactions were recorded at the office of the county register of deeds. A patent may also have been recorded as a deed | Later when the land was sold or mortgaged by private owners the document was called a deed. These land transactions were recorded at the office of the county register of deeds. A patent may also have been recorded as a deed. Family history researchers usually use land records from county offices. (See Private Land Records section shown below) | ||
If you are new to land research, you may wish to read [[Beginning Land and Property Research|Beginning Land and Property Research]] and other articles included on the [[United States Land and Property|United States Land and Property]] page. | If you are new to land research, you may wish to read [[Beginning Land and Property Research|Beginning Land and Property Research]] and other articles included on the [[United States Land and Property|United States Land and Property]] page. | ||