March 20, 2026
Many of our ancestors obtained land directly from the federal government. The Homestead Act of 1862 was frequently used for this purpose. Under this act, settlers could claim 160 acres of undeveloped land in any federal-land state or territory. Federal-land states were primarily mid-western and western states.
Settlers could claim unoccupied land by filing application papers and paying a small filing fee. They then needed to live on the land for five years. A claimant had to improve the property during this time, usually by building a home and starting a farm. At the end of the five years, the applicant filed to receive a patent of ownership for the property.
Millions of homestead applications were filed between 1862 and 1986. However, only about 40% of those who applied for land completed the process.
In addition, to the 1862 Homestead Act, there were other ways to get land from the federal government. For much of the 19th century, direct cash sales of government land were common. The government charged a small fee per acre which a settler could pay to obtain a parcel of land.
Another way to receive government land was through a Military Bounty Land Warrant. From 1775 to 1855, land warrants were issued to veterans of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War and various Indian wars. Soldiers could claim these lands or sell the warrants to others. Speculators often bought them to accumulate large land holdings.
Applications and related documents for land obtained from the federal government can be obtained from the National Archives. First, you must obtain a legal description of the property.
A search the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office (GLO) Records website (https://glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx ) is the easiest way to obtain a legal description. The website is searchable by the name of the person who received the patent. Unfortunately, non-finalized claims are not listed on the BLM site.
The National Archives has records for these uncompleted claims. To obtain a legal description for them, check the BLM Tract Books at (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States,_Bureau_of_Land_Management_Tract_Books_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records ). This Family Search site can help you locate files for land claims that were never finalized.
Case entry files are full of useful genealogical information. They can include family details, citizenship papers, newspaper articles and more.
Carol Stetser
Researcher
Larimer County Genealogical Society