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In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to: | In 1862 the United States enacted a homestead law to encourage development of mostly-empty western federal lands and promote the yeoman farmer ideal. The original homestead law gave an applicant up to 160 acres (1/4 of a section) of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. To obtain the land a settler had to: | ||
:#file application papers, and pay | :#file application papers, and pay the filing fees, total $18, | ||
:#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling and | :#improve the land over the next five years (usually build a dwelling and start a tfarm), and, | ||
:#file for a deed of title. | :#file for a deed of title. | ||
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'''''Obtaining Homestead Papers from the National Archives.''''' For detailed instructions explaining how to obtain homestead papers for (a) homesteads granted, and (b) unfinished homestead applications see “Ordering a Land-Entry Case File from the National Archives” at the '''''end of''''' “[http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/upload/W,pdf,Genealogy,rvd.pdf Homestead National Monument of America – Genealogy].” | '''''Obtaining Homestead Papers from the National Archives.''''' For detailed instructions explaining how to obtain homestead papers for (a) homesteads granted, and (b) unfinished homestead applications see “Ordering a Land-Entry Case File from the National Archives” at the '''''end of''''' “[http://www.nps.gov/home/historyculture/upload/W,pdf,Genealogy,rvd.pdf Homestead National Monument of America – Genealogy].” | ||
'''''Texas Homesteads.''''' The state of Texas has a [http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm Land Grant Index] similar to a homestead index.<ref>“Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search” at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm (accessed 5 February 2010). </ref> | '''''Texas Homesteads.''''' The state of Texas has a [http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm Land Grant Index] similar to a homestead index.<ref>“Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search” at http://wwwdb.glo.state.tx.us/central/LandGrants/LandGrantsSearch.cfm (accessed 5 February 2010). </ref> | ||
=== Related Content === | === Related Content === | ||