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Course image American: Land Records
Basic American Records
AM-104: American: Land Records
Course Summary:

Optional Print Course Material: American: Land Records

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Overview of the history and types of land documents in the United States with Colonial Records (English, French, Mexican, Spanish). We examine land grants, the history of homestead records, and the development bounty lands are discussed. Deeds and maps are examined. The availability of statewide and Internet land record sources and resources, where located ,and how to contact the appropriate repository are integral to this course.


Contact Hours: 18
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 8weeks
Course Content

MODULE 1
OVERVIEW OF HISTORY & RECORD TYPES
Reading Up on Land Records & American History
Guides for Selected Localities
Strategies for Using Land Records
Land Records Definitions

MODULE 2
COLONIAL RECORDS
British (English) Colonial Land Records

MODULE 3
LAND GRANTS
An Overview of the Land Grant Process
State Land States versus Federal Land States
Determining a Legal Description of Land
Tract Books & Plat Maps

MODULE 4
HOMESTEAD RECORDS & BOUNTY LAND GRANTS
Homesteads
Bounty Land Grants
Federal Bounty Land Grants
State Bounty Land Grants
Other Bounty Land Warrants

MODULE 5
DEEDS & MAPS
Individual Land Sales
Deed Indexes
Types of Deeds
Maps
US Geological Survey

MODULE 6
IMPORTANT STATEWIDE & INTERNET LAND RECORD SOURCES
Selected Sources for the Various States