Perplexed by patents and plats? Confused by claims? Survey our beginner's guide to land records.
In this 6-page primer from Family Tree Magazine, you'll learn:
- what types of land records were created in the United States
- what's the difference between a state-land state and a public-land state
- how the rectangular survey system works
- why land records and wills are worth searching even for poor ancestors
- how to trace ancestors who got land under the 1862 Homestead Act
- where to look for and how to use deeds
- how legal property rights applied to your female ancestors