Record of Clues
Homestead records, when complete, include the homestead application, the certificate of publication of intention to make a claim, the homestead proof, testimony of two witnesses and the claimant, and the final certificate. Also included, if applicable, are naturalization papers and discharge papers from the Union Army. Find one and odds are good you’ll get your hands on a wealth of great family information. Says Todd Arrington from the Homestead National Monument in Nebraska: “According to the National Archives, homestead records are second only to military pension files for the amount of valuable genealogical information in them.” So what will you find? Look for these 10 clues in your ancestor’s homestead file:
Names of neighbors. Witnesses to the claim are frequently neighbors, providing names of ancestral associates.
Lifestyles. Testimony may mention travel away from homestead and household furnishings and utensils.
Former residences. Some claimants indicated where they lived before filing their homestead claim.
Occupations. Testimony should indicate if the claimant has an occupation other than farming.
Family details. Testimony may mention the existence of a wife (usually unnamed) and the number of children.
Farming. Testimony should indicate how much land had been cultivated and how that land was being farmed.
Settlement information. Testimony should provide a date of original settlement on the claim.
Citizenship status. Naturalized claimants needed to provide proof of their citizenship.
Military service. Veterans that could document their service as a part of their application were given special benefits.
Vital statistics. Some applications may provide a year and state of birth for the claimant.
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