Nebraska Homestead Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
Records from this collection encompass the years 1863-1908.

How to Use the Record
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example: • Use the name, location and date to find the family in census records • Use the description and location of land to find the family in land records • Use the description and location of land to find the family in probate records If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, check for nearby land owners with similar or variant spellings of the surnames.

Record Description
This collection includes homestead entry case files and land entry case files. The records are arranged by final certificate number. They are from the Bureau of Land Management. The homestead entry case files include applications, petitions, affidavits and other documents required to qualify for a homestead.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in most final certificates and homestead patents are: • Date • Application and final certificate numbers • Name of applicant • Description and location of land

Record History
The Homestead Act of 1862 was signed into law after the secession of many Southern states from the Union.

Why This Record Was Created
The Homestead Act allowed for settlement of land in unpopulated areas. It established a land acquisition process that required filing an application, improving the land, and filing for the deed of title. Any citizen or intended citizen could file an application for 160 acres of land, as long as they had never fought against the U.S. Government. Homesteaders had 5 years to build on, farm, and improve the land. After 5 years a homeowner could file for a land patent or deed at a local land office. The local land offices forwarded the documentation to the General Land Office in Washington D.C., with a final certificate of eligibility. Claimants paid $1.25 an acre. Service in the Union Army was counted towards the residency requirement after the Civil War. Not all homesteaders were able to qualify for ownership of the land due to harsh soil and weather conditions. Once the railroads were in place, homesteading increased due to the ease of travel.

Record Reliability
Records are organized by final certificate number order.

Related Web Sites
Nebraska Land Records

Related Wiki Articles
Nebraska Land and Property

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Samples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
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Sources of Information for This Collection
Homestead Final Certificates, database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/); from the National Archives and Records Administration, Bureau of Land Management General Land Office, Washington DC.