73,385
edits
t
(t) |
(t) |
||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
=== How to obtain a case file === | === How to obtain a case file === | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="left" width="98% | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="left" width="98%" | ||
|+ '''Steps to obtaining a case file''' | |+ '''Steps to obtaining a case file''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" valign="bottom" | '''Step 1.''' Find the legal land description of the property:<br> | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" valign="bottom" | '''Step 1.''' Find the legal land description of the property:<br> | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
:*'''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 [[ | :*'''[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 [[ | :*'''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.''' | ||
'''Step 1B. Search tract books page-by-page.''' Alternatively, '''''IF ''''' you cannot find elsewhere the section, township number, and range number, you could search page-by-page through the tract books for the county where an ancestor lived until you find his or her name. | '''Step 1B. Search tract books page-by-page.''' Alternatively, '''''IF ''''' you cannot find elsewhere the section, township number, and range number, you could search page-by-page through the tract books for the county where an ancestor lived until you find his or her name. | ||
The following sources can help narrow the number of tract books to search: | :'''1Bi.''' The following sources can help narrow the number of tract books to search: | ||
:*'''''Coverage table'''''. Use the description of the townships and ranges covered in each tract book as described in the [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)|'''Tract Books Coverage Table''']] to narrow down the volumes you will need to view to find an ancestor's land entry. ''For example:'' [[Image:Tract books coverage table example.png|center|600px|Tract books coverage table example.png]] | :*'''''Coverage table'''''. Use the description of the townships and ranges covered in each tract book as described in the [[United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)|'''Tract Books Coverage Table''']] to narrow down the volumes you will need to view to find an ancestor's land entry. ''For example:'' [[Image:Tract books coverage table example.png|center|600px|Tract books coverage table example.png]] | ||
| Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
:*'''''Land offices'''''. Tract books for some states, such as Alabama and Ohio are organized by land office. Others are organized for the whole state. "Appendix B" in ''Land and Property Research in the United States '' shows the varying land office boundaries in each state over many years.<ref>Hone, 269-497.</ref> | :*'''''Land offices'''''. Tract books for some states, such as Alabama and Ohio are organized by land office. Others are organized for the whole state. "Appendix B" in ''Land and Property Research in the United States '' shows the varying land office boundaries in each state over many years.<ref>Hone, 269-497.</ref> | ||
'''Search the tract books.''' To browse the 28-state online federal tract | :'''1Bii. Search the tract books.''' To browse the 28-state online federal tract books 1820-1980, [http://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/2074276/waypoints click here]. | ||
:⇒Select the "State"<br> | ::⇒Select the "State"<br> | ||
:⇒Select the "Volume." In some states the land office is mentioned with the volume number. Clicking on a volume takes you to the images.<br><br> | ::⇒Select the "Volume." In some states the land office is mentioned with the volume number. Clicking on a volume takes you to the images.<br><br> | ||
'''Step 2. Submit NATF-84''' (a land entry case file request form), and $50 to the National Archives. | '''Step 2. Submit NATF-84''' (a land entry case file request form), and $50 to the National Archives. | ||