NARA Land Records: Discovering Family History Details That Aren’t Online

After my last post about my research trip to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington D.C., I’ve received several inquiries. Some of you are curious about the specific records I accessed there, which weren’t available on the BLM GLO (Bureau of Land Management General Land Office) site or HistoryGeo. I’m eager to share some details with you!

At NARA, my focus was on three key types of land records: Cash Sales, Bounty Land (Military Warrants), and Homestead Entries. Each category offers different types of documents that can potentially help you with your family research. In this post, I’ll detail the findings from these records, highlighting their relevance and value for genealogical work.

Before we start, a quick note on my approach: To illustrate the varying depth of information you might find in these records, I’ve included a page count that focuses solely on pages with handwritten or originally typed content. Pages that were entirely pre-typed forms were not considered.

Let’s explore these records together and discover the information they hold.

Cash Sales

In exploring land records, Cash Sales often have the smallest number of documents. Typically, these files range from 3–5 pages, though some, like a few I encountered, are 8 pages or longer. Despite their brevity, these records can be genealogically significant.

In the smaller packets, you’ll typically find two types of receipts: one from the Register of the General Land Office, who handled the documentation, and the other from the Receiver, responsible for the financial transactions. These receipts provide a detailed account of the land, including its description, acreage, cost per acre, and the total payment made. Additionally, some files contain further documentation, such as a handwritten note permitting someone to act as an agent in the land purchase, or an affidavit from the applicant. This affidavit often declares the intent to use the land for personal benefit and verifies that the applicant does not own other land sections, likely a compliance measure with specific legal requirements.

However, it’s not just about the paperwork. Many files include the actual certificate, complete with the official seal, adding a tangible piece of history to the record!

Case Study: Willoughby Randolph

A notable find in my research was an 11-page file from an Illinois Cash Sale for Willoughby Randolph, dated 1836 and located in present-day Logan County. This Willoughby is likely the son of my 5th great-grandfather, also named Willoughby Randolph, who died in 1822 in Virginia. My information on this younger Willoughby is quite limited, making this find particularly significant.

The file includes both the Register’s and Receiver’s receipts as well as the sealed certificate. It documents “Willoughby Randolph of Sangamon County, Illinois” purchasing “the North West quarter of Section twenty-eight in Township nineteen North of Range one West of the third principal Meridian…” under the “Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820.” This document is unique and isn’t even represented in the image on the BLM GLO site.

The most intriguing document in the file is Willoughby’s “Preemption Proof.” This declaration outlines his cultivation activities on the land in 1833, including raising crops like corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, etc., and constructing enclosures around fifteen to twenty acres. It also confirms that he was in full possession of and resided on the said quarter section as of 19 June 1834.

Besides Willoughby’s own signature, the document bears the signatures of two neighbors, Brooks Randolph and Hiram Dotron, who attest to Willoughby’s statements. Additionally, there are signatures from two men, James Randolph and James Mortan[?], affirming the credibility of Brooks and Hiram as “men of truth and veracity.” Brooks and James, likely Willoughby’s brothers, also appear to have had their own land entries in the vicinity.

This familial connection is further highlighted by a map from HistoryGeo, which reveals dozens of entries by Randolphs and related families in the surrounding area. It shows not only Willoughby but also Brooks and James acquiring additional land in later years. This pattern of land ownership enriches our genealogical understanding, linking names to places and dates, and offering a more comprehensive view of my Randolph family’s history in the region.

Bounty Land (Military Warrants)

Bounty Land was granted to veterans or their heirs as a reward for military service. Often, these land parcels were not settled by the veterans themselves but were sold to assignees. This transfer of land ownership is reflected in the Bounty Land records. The genealogical information is particularly rich when the veteran is deceased, as the heirs and their relationships are usually listed.

In my research, while many of my relatives appeared as assignees, there were a few cases where they were the actual veterans. These instances are especially significant, providing a glimpse within the land records of military service. On the back of the certificates, the veteran (or heirs) would sign, indicating that they were selling the land. So, when your ancestor was the veteran, you will often find their signature as well!

The size of these files can vary, typically ranging from 4–7 pages, though some are more extensive.

Case Study: Joseph Dickson

A particularly thrilling discovery was the file of Joseph Dickson, my 4th great-grandfather. My records included a note about his possible service in the “Creek Wars” of 1814, but I lacked concrete evidence until now.

The file’s jacket, though worn, reveals that Bounty Land #93,350, consisting of 40 acres, was granted under the Act of 28 September 1850. This act provided varying land amounts, with 40 acres being the minimum, awarded to those who served at least one month.

Inside, I found the beautifully preserved certificate for forty acres issued to Joseph Dickson, a “Private in Captain Williams Company” of the Tennessee Militia in the War of 1812. As I mentioned earlier, when selling the land, the veteran (or heirs) would sign the back of these certificates. So, my 4th great-grandfather signed the back of his certificate in 1853 providing me a tangible link to my ancestor. He also received an additional 120 acres under the Act of 1855 which allowed veterans to receive up to 160 acres of bounty land in total.

My knowledge of Joseph’s military service was limited to speculation until this discovery. Realizing that his receipt of bounty land confirmed his military service, I found his pension file on Fold3, a detail I look forward to sharing in a future post.

Homestead Entries

The Homestead Act of 1862 opened up a wealth of genealogical resources. This Act allowed settlers, including women and free black individuals—a notable progression for the time—to claim up to 160 acres of land. The only requirements were to improve the land and reside on it for five years, after which the land became theirs for a minimal fee.

The richness of these files lies in the detailed testimonies required to demonstrate compliance with the Act’s rules. Claimants had to provide personal accounts of their experiences on the land, supported by testimonies from two credible witnesses.

Case Study: Amanda M. Trammell

A particularly fascinating file I encountered was that of Amanda M. Trammell, my husband’s great-great-grandmother. Containing about 21 pages, this file provided a detailed glimpse into her life as a widow and homesteader, revealing some surprising information that conflicted with commonly shared details about her family.

In her “Testimony of Claimant,” Amanda, at the age of 49 and head of a family with three children, recounted her settlement on the land with her late husband, Jarret H. Trammell, in 1870. She detailed the improvements they made, including a “common” log house, an 18×20 stone house, stables, a crib, and an orchard of peach, apple, and cherry trees. She noted that about 30 acres of wheat, corn, and cotton were cultivated, and mentioned that the stone house was constructed in 1878. Being unable to write, she signed this testimony with her mark.

Further documents in the file indicate that Jarret began the homesteading process in 1874, evidenced by his signature on the earlier paperwork.

A significant revelation in this file was regarding Jarrett’s death—a date difficult to confirm due to the 1885 courthouse fire in Taney County, Missouri, where he died. While many family trees on Ancestry, WikiTree, and FamilySearch suggest a death date of 12 January 1883, likely derived from an unsourced Find A Grave memorial, Amanda’s documentation as a widow from July 1881 presents a conflicting timeline. An 1881 newspaper clipping in this Homestead file corroborates this earlier date, referring to Amanda as Jarrett’s widow. Although a precise death date for Jarrett remains unclear, these documents effectively narrow it down to between 1 June 1880 and 20 June 1881, demonstrating inaccuracies in the existing family trees.

Conclusion

Exploring NARA land records has been an insightful and personal experience. We’ve looked at Cash Sales, Bounty Land (Military Warrants), and Homestead Entries. Each offers a distinct perspective into our ancestors’ lives. These records, varying in detail and historical context, can help us deepen our understanding of our family histories.

The cases of Willoughby Randolph, Joseph Dickson, and Amanda M. Trammell highlight the range of information these records can reveal. By studying these records and understanding their signficance, we gain not just glimpses into individual lives but also a better understanding of the historical periods they lived in.

Your Turn

Now, I turn to you, my fellow genealogy enthusiasts. Have you explored land records in your family history research? What surprising discoveries or intriguing stories have you uncovered? I encourage you to see if your family might have any NARA land records. A great place to start this search is at HistoryGeo! And, if you aren’t able to do the research in person yourself, I recommend hiring someone. I recommend both Brian Rhinehart of Civil War Records and Sandy Rumble of RumbleSoft for retrieving records at NARA.

I also invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your insights and stories enrich our collective understanding and passion for genealogy.