Land & Property Research in the United States by E. Wade Hone thoroughly examines the topic, helping researchers quickly determine the type of records available for a particular time and location. Readers will also learn technique to make better use of available records. This is not small subject matter. As a matter of fact, according to the author, as directly related to genealogical interest, “land and property records go back further than any other type of record;” plus, land records apply to more people and have had fewer losses than any other records in America.
Land records can tell unexpected stories. For example, in colonial days a women could not own land, so even if she inherited land, it would have to be placed in her husband’s name. However, the records may give details as to a women’s maiden name, her father’s or a close relative’s name, and where they lived at the time of inheritance, etc. This book attempts to help the researcher get through the learning curve necessary to find both the significance as well as probable hidden treasures to be found in each type of records for each time period.
Each chapter reviews the types of records created according to the type of land, from state and federal lands and land distributions to property records. Pre-U.S. records are also covered. The end of each chapter contains a list of repositories and additional references. Land records and the have changed over the years. The book also contains a comprehensive index and a massive appendix showing land office boundary maps for Federal Land States and how they changed through time.
Table of Contents
Foreword
From the Author
Section 1: Pre-U.S. Possessions
Introduction to Pre-U.S. Possessions
Chapter 1: Spanish Possession
- Historical Background
- The Records
- Conclusion
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Chapter 2: British Possession
- Historical Background
- The Records
- Conclusion
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Chapter 3: French Possession
- The Records
- Conclusion
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Chapter 4: Mexican Possession
- Historical Background
- The Records
- Conclusion
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Section 2: State-Land States
Introduction to State Lands
Chapter 5: Organization of State Lands
- Common Survey Methods
- Other Methods
- Conclusion
- For Further Reference
Chapter 6: Records Generated by State Lands
- Land Acquisition Process
- Common Records
- Military Bounty Lands
- Conclusion
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Chapter 7: Strategies for State Land Records
- Platting Metes and Bounds
- Other Strategies for State Lands
- For Further Reference
Section 3: Federal-Land States
Introduction to Federal Lands
Chapter 8: Organization of Federal Lands
- Meridians
- Tracts
- Townships/Range
- Sections
- Townsites
- Conclusion
- For Further Reference
Chapter 9: Records Generated by Federal Lands
- Land Acquisition Process
- Tract Books
- Military Bounty Lands
- Canadian Refugee Warrants
- Canadian Volunteer Warrants
- Cash Entry
- Credit Sales
- Private Land Claims
- Surveyor General Scrip
- Supreme Court Scrip
- Preemption
- Homestead Records
- Graduation Act
- Townsite Records
- Mineral Entries
- Timber Culture Act
- Timber and Stone Law
- Desert Land Law
- Agricultural College Scrip
- Railroad Grants
- Donation Lands
- Congressional Collections
- Township Plats
- Amnesty Papers
- Bureau of Land Management
- Repositories
- For Further Reference
Chapter 10: Strategies for Federal Land Records
- Ordering Land-Entry Case Files
- Graphing Township, Range, and Section
- Other Strategies for Federal Lands
- For Further Reference
Section 4: Individual Lands
Introduction to Individual Lands
Chapter 11: Records Generated by Individual Lands
- Deeds and Related Records
- Land Ownership Maps
- Indexes
- Repositories
- Conclusion
- For Further Reference
Chapter 12: Strategies for Individual Land Records
- Grantee/Grantor Patterns
- General Strategies
- For Further Reference
Section 5: Special Interest
Introduction to Special Interest Lands
Chapter 13: Native American Land Records
- Acquisition
- Dispersal
- Record Collections
- Conclusion
- For Further Reference
Appendix A: Tract Book and Township Plat Map Guide to Federal Land States
Appendix B: Land Office Boundary Maps for All Federal Land States
Index
Land & Property Research in the United States is available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: TP25X, Price: $48.95.