Saturday, June 19, 2010

Looking up Western Land Records in BLM GLO





When you go to the BLM GLO Records site the first thing you need to look for is the "Search Land Patents" link at the top of the page. Luckily, they designed the site so that the necessary links are always at the top of the pages [bless you folks!].
When clicking the link brings you to the search page, it's just a matter of picking the state where your ancestor lived, filling in their last name [and if you need to narrow the search, putting in their first name] and pushing the search button.
The reason you may only want to use a last name is because it allows you to read the list of land records under that name in case siblings or spouses may have homesteaded [yes, women did this too!].

Here we can see that I've entered L.J.'s last name only and Oklahoma for the state. That's because I knew that he and his family left Mississippi and settled in Kiowa County, OK. It was just a matter of finding out when.


The next image shows the Land Patent Details that resulted from the search. This gives the date and information about the land title. But look at the tabs at the top.
There's one for legal land description and one for Document Image. Legal land description will tell you exactly what section your ancestor got in their land grant or purchase. Document Image is a copy of the paperwork our ancestors received when they paid for the land [or met the requirements for homesteading].

There are also survey records and plat maps to be had. This may take a little more work to understand, but it is well worth it!

Go ahead, try it! I'll bet you'll be printing all kinds of paperwork if your family migrated west.

Looking up Land Records - BLM





This is one of the land records that relates to L.J. [Levi James] McNutt's purchase of land in Kiowa County, Oklahoma in 1908. Kiowa was one of the last Oklahoma counties to be opened for homesteading.
There's a wonderful tool provided by the BLM that lets you research your ancestors homesteading activities in the western states.
The BLM GLO Records.
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/
This site only relates to land titles that where transferred from the Federal Government to individuals, and only relates to certain western states. "This site does not cover the thirteen colonies, their territories, and a few other states."

They are scanning and adding documents at a rapid rate so if your ancestor's land record, for the listed states, doesn't show up on the first search, come back again [often there will be a listing that says, scanning in progress].

The next couple of articles will explain how easy it is to use the Land Patents Search.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The River Running



So, while I was traveling back across Colorado I got to see, and record, the river. All the waterways around here are very high because of the record high temps that have caused quick snow melt, and now pouring rain! The rain pounded me for two-and a half days! It was hard to see over the hood of that little truck. Even though I enjoy the rain, I was glad when the sun got to come out.
I stopped to sleep in Frisco and when I woke I could hear the river outside the truck window. I decided to go investigate and found a nice little area down the embankment.
The sound is soooo cool!

Regency Rellies and Relocation



While I was off to the Front Range for the last four days trying to find a place to live, I realized that I already have some pictures of individuals in clothing from certain eras.
I make paperdolls for fun! And even better, I have historic clothing or international costumes, depending.
Here is Vinny in Regency clothing, about 1810 [copy-written, of course].
Can't you see him up on the back of a great black charger, cantering about the estate?