Using Land Records to Discover Your Genealogy

A vastly underused resource, land records are a wonderful source for both beginning and advanced genealogists. This article will offer tips on the type of information that can be found in land records as well as tips on how to locate land records.

The difference between genealogy and family history lies in how much we know about our ancestors. Whereas a genealogy will give names, dates, places, and relationships, a family history will share stories, triumphs, failures, struggles, and who our ancestors really were. The beauty of land records is that they offer both details for a genealogy as well as details of the family history. Of course, not every record will offer gems of genealogical discovery.

What the Land Records Reveal

The basics: No matter what else might or might not be included in a land record, you will always be able to pinpoint where your ancestor was at the given time. If your great grandfather purchased land in Missouri in 1890, even if he was purchasing it for someone else, you'll know that he was in Missouri in 1890 to at least sign the papers. In that aspect, land records can be excellent substitutes for census records. And not only will you know where he was in Missouri, but you'll be able to know the exact plot of land he purchased or sold, how many acres it was, and how much it cost.

Relationships: Some land purchases were between two or more people; a person may have purchased land with someone he knew, or he may have bought land from someone he knew. Although the record may not explicitly state a relationship, some type of connection is obvious (especially when people buy land together). For example, as I was researching land records for an ancestor of mine, Helen Terry, I found that she had bought land with someone named Jane Terry. No relationship was specified, but the probability of these women being related is great. This gives a great lead on where to search next.

Wealth and occupation: The amount the land is sold for is usually included in the land record. Although this is not absolute proof of the relative wealth of your income, you can at least make an educated guess at their financial state. You can also learn the occupation of your ancestor. Someone who bought a lot of land and then turned around and sold it may have been in real estate. A person who bought one huge plot of land and nothing more may have been a farmer.

Other information: Sometimes you may find other interesting information about your ancestors through land records. As I was searching through land records for one of my ancestors, I found one record that was in fact the grant of land to my ancestor from a lawsuit that he had won. Upon further inspection, I found that he had sued a relative, won the case, and was granted over one thousand acres of land. The apparent rift in their relationship is one of those beautiful little details of family history that I may have missed were it not for that land record.

How to Find Land Records

Land records can be more difficult to locate and retrieve than many other types of genealogical records, which is one reason that they tend to be underused. But because they are one of the earliest types of records in American genealogy, your chance of finding a land record for an ancestor is very high.

First, you need to know what county in which state to look in. Generally land records were kept at the county record. When looking at the county, be sure to remember that county lines changed over time; look at a state map from the time period you are researching, and note any counties that surround your place of focus. You may have to search several counties' worth of records. Although this may sound daunting, it is not as hard as it seems. Many counties have indexes for their land records, which is a great time saver.

You also need to know the approximate time period you are looking at. This can be a range of years, as many land record indexes include records from a span of time.

Next, you need to find the record. Most land records are kept on microfilm. The Family History Library in Salt Lake holds microfilmed land records from all over the world. Search their online catalog to see if they have holdings for your county and time period. If they do, you can borrow one of their microfilm from your local family history center (you can locate these on their website as well). If they don't, search the genealogical and historical societies in the county and state you are researching (try www.daddezio.com) . Most state historical societies will also have large holdings of older land records. Some loan these out through interlibrary loan. Others will do the research for you for a small fee. Search the website of the historical society, or just call to see if they have the records. Then ask your local library about interlibrary loan. If you cannot find microfilms at the Family History Library or the state or county's historical society, you can always write to the county office. Check a resource such as Ancestry's Red Book or The Handybook for Genealogists to find out which office in the county holds the land records. Write a letter of inquiry to see if they have an index for land records and how to obtain it.

After you find a land record for your ancestor, don't be surprised if most of it is taken up by a rather tedious description of the land your ancestor bought or sold. Although this can be slow reading, don't forget that you are getting details of land where your ancestor may have lived. And don't ignore the tiny nuggets of information in the rest of the record; they might just be gold.