Homestead Records
Before they applied for homestead land, immigrants to USA or Canada had to file a declaration of intent to be naturalized. Precise birth information was required and the immigrant’s place of origin will likely be noted.
The Homestead Act of 1862 is invaluable. Before applying for homestead land, immigrants had to have a declaration of intent filed.
Search billions of historical records and family trees on Ancestry, including immigration records, passenger lists, naturalization records, census records, and other documents that can help trace your ancestors' journey.
Start your Ancestry free trialRead Richard Pence’s article on The Homestead Act
Search Federal land title records for Eastern Public Land Statesissued between 1820 and 1908. Search the online database for land patent records for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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