Land records are deeds -- proof that a piece of land is owned by a particular individual. The information you receive from the records will vary, but you will at least get a name, the location of the property, and the period of ownership.

Where can I find land records?

The first thing to do is to check for deeds, title deeds, or patent certificates in the area where your ancestor lived. Deeds are usually held by the county courthouse or the county recorder, and are normally well-indexed. In addition to contacting the county courthouse or county recorder, check with the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have an extensive collection of land records and land records indexes. If your ancestor was the first owner of the land, (e.g., they purchased or received it directly from the government), records of the sale or grant should be available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. You can get a copy of these records if you can provide the township and range of the land.

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