Family Tree

Searching Land Patents from the Bureau of Land Management

1 The website offers several kinds of records, each worth investigating. But you’ll likely want to start with a land patents search, especially if you have family who lived in one of the 30 public-land states during the distribution era.

From the Land Patents portal, you can enter a state and county name, plus

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Family Tree

Family Tree2 min read
Scanner Leaderboard
These machines lead the pack in the race to digitize your precious family photos and documents. The prices listed here are the suggested retail values from manufacturers; you may find reduced prices through other sellers. Canon CanoScan LiDe 400, $89
Family Tree2 min read
DNA Matches Without a Family Tree
Q What do I do when a DNA match doesn’t have a family tree linked to their results? A If you’ve spent any amount of time in your DNAmatch lists, you know that this is common. In fact, 23andMe and LivingDNA don’t
Family Tree1 min read
Digitized Records Roundup
Some highlights from the major genealogy websites: Wills and deeds, 1700s–2017: FamilySearch quietly added collections of these valuable (but often-overlooked) records for most US states. Articles of enslavement: In honor of Juneteenth, Ancestry.com

Related Books & Audiobooks