Millions of Americans obtained land from the federal government either
by purchase, donation, military bounty, or homesteading. The records created by
these land transactions can be valuable for locating an ancestor in a
particular time and place, and may also contain useful family information. Some
land files include a detailed description of improvements made to the land,
evidence of military service, proof of naturalization, and/or testimony from
neighbors.
This course will cover the distribution of land in the thirty public
land states to individuals from 1798 to 1976. The sessions will take an
in-depth look at the process for obtaining land, the records created, and the
genealogical value they contain. Students will learn about the surveying
process and legal land descriptions, the Acts of Congress authorizing different
types of transactions, the process for applying for land, and what can be found
online and only onsite at NARA.
The unique format of four 90 minute sessions will allow time to dig
deeper into these records and look at not only typical files for each type of
transaction, but unique circumstances as well. The “plus” version of the course
will also include feedback on the homework assignments and an extra session for
asking individual questions about federal land records.
Saturday,
September 19th
Session
1: Background: History, Land Descriptions, Laws and Records
Session
2: Locating Records: BLM Website, Tract Books and Finding Aids
Homework
assignment given
Saturday,
September 26th
Session
3: Homesteads, Land Entry Papers and Military Bounty Land
Session
4: Case Studies Using Federal Land Records
To register for the course visit http://vigrgenealogy.com/schedule/mcghie-land/
The cost is $69.99 for all four sessions, or $99.99 for all four sessions plus feedback on the homework and an additional sessions where you can ask any questions you may have on the course content or on federal land records.
