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US Land Records

Probably the most complete and the most informative of all US records for genealogists are those of land ownership - more so than the census. In addition to telling us more about our ancestors, they go back much further in time than the census.

A brief history

Since the early 17th Century, land ownership has been a vital part of America's history, and land records have always been jealously preserved. Those that have been lost or destroyed have been re-constructed, and that rarely happens with any other records.

Before 1850, 90% of white adult males owned land and, except in very rare cases, transfer of land was always meticulously recorded.

Often, wives were named in the deeds, as they had a legal interest in the sale of their husbands' property. Wives weren't mentioned in the US Census until 1850, which was the first time anyone other than the head of household was named.

Very often there was more than one landowner in a household, but this would not have been revealed by any of the censuses prior to 1850.

For a full understanding of how land records work, there is an excellent article here by William Dollarhide, both an interesting and informative writer on genealogical research.

Where can I research land records?

Land deeds are recorded at county level, and therefore you must start by knowing in which county your ancestor lived.

Unfortunately, there is nowhere on the internet that you can access these records.

You have one of three options:

For most researchers in the UK, the first two options won't be practicable, but there are 74 Family History Centres in England.

They are not usually staffed full time, and it will be necessary to telephone to check their opening hours, and to see if they have available the records you require.

What if my Land Records aren't available?

Don't despair if you can't find the records you need.

If you are serious about tracing your ancestors in Land Records, you could try to find someone in the county you are researching who can visit a County Courthouse for you.

Try contacting a genealogical society to see if they have someone who can go on your behalf.

Perhaps you have made contacts in forums, or through a site where you have published your family tree?

You could employ a professional researcher.

Whichever way you go, you will incur costs, but the price is always worth it to see your ancestor's name and the detail of the piece of land that was once his.