"Tracing Our Roots" Newsletter Archive (A monthly genealogy newsletter written by the late Brenda Kellow, dec'd, for the Plano Star Courier newspaper. We've included all the ones we could recover.)
Barbara Coakley, professional genealogist and writer, is my guest writer today while I am recovering from thumb surgery.
Barbara is on the board of directors of Genealogy Friends and regularly lectures on genealogy locally and regionally, with expertise in northeast and the midwest research.
Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Homestead Act of 1862. This law provided for 270 million acres of land that was part of the public domain to be settled by our ancestors. Land was available in 30 states. The homesteader was required to be the head of a family or single person, 21 years of age or older, and be either born in the United States, a naturalized citizen, or have filed a declaration of intent to become a citizen. Single women and former slaves were also eligible. If qualified, the individual could claim 160 acres of land. After filing their intentions, a search for previous claims was performed and then a $10 filing fee and a $2 commission were paid. The homesteader was required to live on the land, build a home, improve the land, and farm for five years. After the five years passed, affidavits were required from two neighbors and the homesteader regarding the home, improvements and farming. The final form was completed and a $6 fee was paid.
A patent was issued and the homesteader owned the land after a lot of hard work and determination. In certain cases, military service shortened the required time frame for residence on the land. These records can provide information that is valuable when compiling a family history.
Thomas Edward Newsham was born in Monroe County, Illinois in 1832. He lived there until 1853 when a power of attorney was recorded in the Deed book, and then he disappeared. Family lore said that he had gone west. A check of the Bureau of Land Management web site at www.glorecords.blm.gov/ showed that a Thomas Newsham had been granted a 160-acre homestead in Crook County, Oregon on 15 June 1892. Using the file number, land office, and land description from the website I ordered the Homestead file from the National Archives. Instructions for requesting files are available on their website at www.archives.gov. The file included important clues to reconstructing the life of Thomas and his family.
In addition to the location of the land, the file included testimony from Thomas and two of his neighbors. Thomas was born in the United States. If he had been an immigrant, proof of citizenship or the intent to become a citizen would have been included. Thomas settled on the land on 25 March 1883. First he build a kitchen and later a house. The house was one and one-half stories, it was 14 by 22 feet, had two doors, four windows, and contained two stoves. A barn was also built; he had a wagon, plow, and farm implements. He grew wheat, oats, rye and barley. Thomas had 20 head of cattle and 3 cows. His family consisted of a wife and three children. He last voted in November 1888. Many of these insights could not be found in other records. Once the homestead file placed Thomas in a location at a specific time, it was easy to find numerous other records including his marriage, birth of his children, tax records, other land records, records of military service, his death and burial.
GENEALOGY FRIENDS OF PLANO LIBRARIES FREE SATURDAY SEMINAR
On Saturday, June 19th the Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries presents a free seminar at the Gladys Harrington Library.
This month s topics are Beginning Genealogy by Stella Fincher and Citing Your Sources by Weldon Fincher. Doors open at 9:10 a.m. and the program begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information see the Activities and Events section at www.rootsweb.com/~txgfpl.
Family History Library remodeling
If you are planning a visit to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah check their website at www.familysearch.org or call Library Public Affairs at 1-800-346-6044, ext. 3499. The library is undergoing extensive remodeling, which includes relocating the family histories and biographies, adding computer work- stations and patron workspace. From mid-June through mid-August the United States and Canada book collection will be unavailable.
Brenda Kellow, dec'd, Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Instructor, had a Bachelor s Degree in history and taught genealogy courses at the local Community College and computer genealogy at the University.
