Land 

Searching Family Though Land Records

• 1. Census Records

• 1. Census Records• 2. Deeds

Using Deeds to Track Land

• The name of the Grantor - the person selling the property (marital status should also be listed)

• The name of the Grantee - the person buying the property (marital status should also be listed)

• Amount paid for the property• Legal Description

• 1. Census Records• 2. Deeds• 3. Homestead Act of 1862

• Homestead Act opened up settlement in the western United States, allowing any American, including freed slaves, to put in a claim for up to 160 free acres of federal land. By the end of the Civil War, 15,000 homestead claims had been established, and more followed in the postwar years. Eventually, 1.6 million individual claims would be approved; nearly ten percent of all government held property.

• The Homestead Act (May 20, 1862) set in motion a program of public land grants to small farmers. Before the Civil War, the southern states had regularly voted against homestead legislation because they correctly foresaw that the law would hasten the settlement of western territory, ultimately adding to the number and political influence of the Free states. This opposition to the homestead bill, as well as to other internal improvements that could hasten western settlement. A homestead bill passed the House in 1858 but was defeated by one vote in the Senate; the next year, a similar bill passed both houses but was vetoed by President James Buchanan. In 1860, the Republican platform advocating homestead legislation.

• After the southern states had seceded, homestead legislation was high on the Republican agenda. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided that any adult citizen (or person intending to become a citizen) who headed a family could qualify for a grant of 160 acres of public land by paying a small registration fee and living on the land continuously for five years. If the settler was willing to pay $1.25 an acre, he could obtain the land after only six months’ residence.

• The Homestead Act remained in effect for more than 100 years. The final claim, for 80 acres in southeastern Alaska, was approved in 1988

• 1. Census Records• 2. Deeds• 3. Homestead Act of 1862• 4. Wills

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT, JOSEPH FORTUNE being sick and weak, but being of sound mind and memory.To my loving wife MARY FORTUNE during her widowhood or life, an equal part of my estate with my children, to wit: ELIZABETH and SARAH. But as my wife is with child, should the child survive to receive an equal part with the rest.It is my desire that as long as my wife remains a widow to keep the estate in her possession.The 250 acres in the state of South Carolina that I purchased of LEONARD NOBLES and adjoining that of JAMES HARGROVE, should my executors think it best, sell this and purchase other land for the benefit of the estate. But if my wife think proper, she may go and live upon said land.A stud horse called "Whynot" now in the possession of SPENCER REYNOLDS but half mine, should remain with REYNOLDS until a sale can be made but if REYNOLDS should want to purchase same, to pay my estate and deduct the expense for upkeep.Appoint loving wife and SPENCER REYNOLDS executors.JOSEPH (X) FORTUNEWit: George Reynolds, Richard Reynolds, Phebe [X] Farrer, Will. TunstallJacob Reiger and David Harris security.

• 1. Census Records• 2. Deeds• 3. Homestead Act of 1862• 4. Wills• 5. Bureau of Land Management• https://www.glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx

• 1. Census Records• 2. Deeds• 3. Homestead Act of 1862• 4. Wills• 5. Bureau of Land Management• https://www.glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx• Land Grants• Land Warrants