U.S. Huntsville Land Office - Registers of homestead certificates, 1886-1904.

ArchivalResource

Alabama. Secretary of State. Lands Division. U.S. Huntsville Land Office - Registers of homestead certificates, 1886-1904.

U.S. Huntsville Land Office - Registers of homestead certificates, 1886-1904.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122438765

The Homestead Act of 1862 was passed on 1862 Feb. 28 to go into effect on 1863 Jan. 1. The act allowed claimants to homestead up to 160 acres of land free of charge except for a small commission to be paid when filing the claim. Claimants were required to live on the land for five years from the date of entry, and were required to prove their residence and improvement of the property. After making final proof the claimant received a certificate and later the land patent. This series consists of registers of homestead certificates. Each entry contains the number of the certificate, the date of the certificate, the location of the tract, the number of acres, the name and residence of the applicant, the number of the original application, amount paid in commissions, amount paid for testimony, price paid per acre and remarks. Remarks include information such as the date of the patent, the excess receipt number or if the tract was relinquished. These records document homesteading in Ala. and provide information about homesteaders.

2 volumes and 2 folders.

Alabama Department of Archives and History