Family Tree Magazine Podcast
Episode: Learning About Ancestors Through Homestead Records – An Interview with Katie Merkley
Release Date: September 1, 2025
Host: Lisa Louise Cook (Family Tree Editors)
Guest: Katie Gardner Merkley
Episode Overview
This episode focuses on the power of homestead records as a tool for genealogical research. Host Lisa Louise Cook interviews genealogy author Katie Merkley about the history of homesteading, the wealth of documentation the process generated, and practical strategies for researchers wishing to uncover details about their ancestors through these records. The conversation provides both historical background and actionable research advice, with references to useful resources and a real-world case study.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Historical Context of Homesteading
[01:36–03:41]
- Purpose of the Homestead Act (1862):
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Encouraged westward expansion and settlement by offering land to those willing to improve it.
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Aimed to relieve Eastern overpopulation and prevent the spread of slavery.
"So this homesteading act was a way to draw settlers out west, relieve overpopulation in the East. And it offered a lot of opportunities."
— Katie Merkley [01:48] -
The act stipulated that those who had "not raised arms against the U.S." could qualify.
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Black Americans were eligible, leading to some historically African American homestead communities.
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2. The Homesteading Process and Associated Paperwork
[03:41–05:51]
- The application process:
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Entailed applying at a land office, paying a fee, and receiving a specific, gridded land allotment (160 acres).
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The land required improvement (e.g. building a home, farming).
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After five years (and no more than seven), the applicant needed to 'prove up'—submitting extensive documentation, which included:
- Naturalization papers for immigrants.
- Military paperwork for veterans.
- Affidavits from neighbors and community members.
- Newspaper publications announcing intended proof of claim.
"It's not proving the claim is where most of the paperwork is."
— Katie Merkley [05:37]
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3. The Realities and Challenges of Homesteading
[05:51–07:31]
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Completion Rates:
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Only about 40% completed their homestead claims; many abandoned the effort.
"So there were a lot of people who abandoned their homesteads and went back east..."
— Katie Merkley [06:09]
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Challenging Conditions:
- Farming conditions in the West often posed unexpected difficulties (e.g. rocky soil, droughts, pests).
- Migrants faced unfamiliar climates and landscapes.
4. Purchase as an Alternative
[07:31–07:56]
- Expedited Land Ownership:
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Settlers could buy land outright after six months for $1.25 per acre to speed up the process, though paperwork remained a burden.
"If you're trying to get anything from the government, there's a lot of paperwork involved and it's a hassle."
— Katie Merkley [07:56]
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5. How Homesteading Changed Over Time
[08:17–08:36]
- Duration and Impact:
- Lasted 123 years, producing an estimated 93 million living descendants.
- Around 270 million acres and 4 million claims were involved.
6. Research Value of Homestead Records
[08:36–10:34]
- Types of Records and Content:
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Application/patent paperwork, naturalization records, witness affidavits, questionnaires.
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Newspapers published notices of claim intentions, which are also archived.
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Witnesses often included non-related neighbors, providing FAN club (Friends, Associates, Neighbors) information.
"Witnesses were not supposed to be related, but that rule was not very well enforced."
— Katie Merkley [10:26] -
Case study example: Christian Murray's records included a five-page questionnaire and detailed improvement records, but limited direct family details.
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7. Where to Find Homestead Records Today
[11:00–12:58]
- Main Resources:
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Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office Records: glorecords.blm.gov
- Searchable by name, state, and county.
- Includes interactive maps and downloadable surveys.
- Best starting point for most researchers.
"You can go onto the BLM website...and see what records they have for them. And the individual states also have their own land records office."
— Katie Merkley [11:00] -
Ancestry and Fold3: Some digitized records available.
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FamilySearch: Has digitized tract books (not fully indexed yet).
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State Land Offices: Local archival material.
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8. Using Legal Land Descriptions and Mapping Homesteads
[12:58–15:46]
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Interpreting and Plotting Land Descriptions:
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BLM provides legal land descriptions using the federal grid system.
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Katie mapped Christian Murray's claim onto Google Maps and modern landmarks.
"I was comparing the maps on the Land Office website to Google Maps. So I was able to find approximately where the modern location of the homestead."
— Katie Merkley [14:09]
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Advanced Mapping Tools:
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Lisa recommends Earth Point for Google Earth: enter the legal land description from BLM and have the land automatically plotted.
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Useful for those wanting to visit ancestral land.
"If you get that legal land description over at the BLM website, you can enter it into their free tool for township and range. It will automatically plot that piece of land in Google Earth..."
— Lisa Louise Cook [14:21]
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9. Further Learning and Community Resources
[15:46–16:43]
- Katie's article "A Genealogist Guide to Homesteading Records and Research" (available on FamilyTreeMagazine.com) provides an overview, survey system guidance, and charts.
- Katie's website for genealogy engagement: krgarnergenealogy.com
- Teaser: Katie will soon publish another article on Bounty Land research.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
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On who could homestead:
"...there was nothing in the Homestead act saying that you had to be white so black people could sign up for a homestead. And in fact, there are homestead communities in the west that were primarily African Americans..."
— Katie Merkley [03:31] -
On the sheer scale and legacy:
"It lasted for 123 years and it is estimated there are currently 93 million living descendants of homesteaders."
— Katie Merkley [08:26] -
On finding neighbors through records:
"This is a really good way to find out FAN club members...they may have also been homesteaders. So if we wanted to, we could look up their homestead records as well."
— Katie Merkley [09:51] -
On mapping homesteads today:
"What could be better than walking the land ourselves?"
— Lisa Louise Cook [15:46]
Important Segment Timestamps
- 01:36–03:41: History and social context of the Homestead Act
- 03:41–05:51: Homestead process, documentation for applications and claims
- 06:08–07:31: Challenges, success rate, reasons for abandonment
- 07:31–07:56: Purchasing land vs. homesteading
- 08:36–10:34: Kinds of available records, what they reveal for genealogists
- 11:00–12:58: Where to find and access records online, key resources
- 12:58–15:46: Using land descriptions and modern technology to locate homestead sites
- 15:46–16:43: Resources, articles, and ways to connect with guest expert
Resources Mentioned
- Family Tree Magazine Article: A Genealogist Guide to Homesteading Records and Research
- BLM General Land Office Records: glorecords.blm.gov
- Earth Point township and range tool: (for plotting homesteads in Google Earth)
- FamilySearch: Digitized tract books (not yet indexed)
- Katie Merkley’s Website: krgarnergenealogy.com
Episode Summary
This episode offers an essential primer for anyone wishing to research US ancestors through homesteading records. It not only frames these records in their historical and social context but provides hands-on advice for locating, interpreting, and making the most of the resulting documents—many of which provide rich, personal, and sometimes unexpected details about past lives and communities. Both beginners and seasoned researchers will find practical tips—especially in using modern mapping technology to connect with their family's past on the land itself.