Digging for Ancestors at the Bureau of Land Management
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Introduction – What is the BLM website?
o Houses information about first transfer of land from the federal
government to the people
o Doesn’t have information about subsequent sale/transfers
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Why use the BLM website?

Rectangular Survey System
o Complete explanation and history
o How to read a property description
o Includes examples

Using the BLM website
o Reference Center
o Search Documents

Understanding search results
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Obtaining the information to order a land entry case file

Why order a land entry case file from the National Archives?

Mapping Features (includes examples)

Related Documents features (includes examples)
o Patents
o Surveys
o LSR (Land Status Record)
o CDI (Control Document Index)

Strategies for ordering land entry case files

Terms clearly explained throughout the presentation

Examples help audience see how the features may apply to their research
Digging for Ancestors at the Bureau of Land Management
© 2014, copyright Michelle Roos Goodrum