Nebraska, Box Butte County Land Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection includes digital images of various land records from Box Butte County for the years 1885-2015.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in most final certificates and homestead patents include:


 * Date land received
 * Application and final certificate numbers
 * Name of applicant
 * Description and location of land
 * Names of witnesses

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Your Ancestor’s name
 * Other identifying information such as their residence, age, names of other family members and relationships.

Search the Collection
To browse the images in this collection: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'Record Category' category ⇒ Select the 'Record Type, Volume, and Year Range' category which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information

 * Use your ancestor’s land records to determine how long the family lived in an area. An ancestor’s disappearance from these records may indicate that he died or moved away.
 * If transferred property was sold for an unusually low price (e.g. one dollar) or for “love and affection” (or a similar phrase), it is likely that a familial relationship exists between the two parties.
 * In some cases, witnesses listed on a deed were family members. Note these individuals in case a family relationship is discovered as you continue your research.
 * When an individual died, sometimes property was distributed through land deeds rather than probate papers. Carefully examine all deeds to discover clues about property division.
 * Property records sometimes note an individual’s residence or occupation. This 	information can be used to track your ancestor from one location to the next or to help differentiate individuals of the same name.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Generally land records will be indexed in two ways: by grantor and by grantee. A grantor is the individual selling the property, and the grantee is the individual buying the property. Search both the grantor and grantee indexes for your ancestor.
 * While searching the indexes it is good to note all individuals who shared the same last name as 	your ancestor—they may have been relatives.
 * Property records were often some of the earliest records kept by a jurisdiction. Don’t ignore these important records simply because they may not immediately reveal the relationships or 	answers for which you are looking.
 * Historically, most property transactions were conducted by the husband. However, the wife was sometimes required to give her consent as well. Her consensus statement may have been recorded along with the deed. This was especially true if the wife had acquired the land independently of her husband.
 * Sometimes individuals owned multiple parcels of land at the same time. The family generally lived on only one parcel at a time.
 * Deed records available to researchers are usually not the original deed, but official copies kept by the town or county clerk. Originals were kept by the family. As with any copied record, be aware of possible transcription errors.
 * If searching for an ancestor who may have been a slave, remember that slaves were almost always considered property. Your ancestor may have been mentioned in the property transactions of his or her owner.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor

 * Certain types of property records may have been kept in different record books, such as mortgage books. Try searching for various types of property records.
 * Not everyone owned property. Sometimes families rented homes or land or lived with family or friends.
 * Original land deeds were usually kept by the parties involved in the transaction. Copies available now are, in most cases, the certified copies kept by the local clerk. Because this was the case, sometimes a deed was not recorded at the town or county offices.
 * While most property was sold by the local town or county, some property was sold by the state or federal government. Try searching for land records kept by these jurisdictions as well.
 * It is less common to find property transactions if your ancestor lived in city. Try searching city directories instead. These records may help track your ancestor from year to year.

Related Websites

 * Nebraska Land Records
 * Homestead Records fold3 ($)

Related Wiki Articles

 * Nebraska Land and Property
 * Homestead Records
 * Nebraska Genealogy
 * Nebraska Online Genealogy Records
 * Box Butte County, Nebraska Genealogy

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

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