Land records are primarily used to learn where an individual lived and when he or she lived there. They often reveal other information, such as the name of a spouse, heir, other relatives, or neighbors. You may learn where a person lived previously, his or her occupation, and other clues for further research. The national and state archives of Mexico, such as the one in Guadalajara, house records that were created in their historical jurisdiction. In the Guadalajara archives you will also find land records dealing with the southwest part of the United States. The Archivo General de la Nacion in Mexico City has large collections of these records.

Different type of land records include:

Capellanías (Land Grants). Documents that deal with land being transferred by individuals and families to the Catholic Church. The documents include wills, court records, land titles, contracts, and family information.

Vínculos y Mayorazgos (Entailed Estates). Records concerning hereditary properties that can include land titles and family information that could have genealogies for three to seven generations. Biographical information arising from property disputes, boundary adjustments, and rights to use Indian labor.

Concesiones y Títulos de Propiedad (Consessions and Land Titles). Any documentation relating to land titles, possession, contracts, bills of sale, buildings, or improvements, as well as information about individuals and families who have owned or occupied the land.

Tierras y Aguas (Land and Water). Land grants and water rights, correspondence, transfer of title, and other documents related to the transactions.

The Family History Library has some land records from Mexico. Some of the major land records the library has are: