Lesson Eight

LAND RECORDS

Land records can be very useful in genealogical research. Often heirs are named in land records even when there is no will or probate records. This information can be the needed link between English name and Indian name.

Because of the treaties where the different tribes ceded their land to the government allotments of land were made. These allotments can be found online at Bureau of Land Management

Index to the reservations in Michigan set apart for the Sault Ste. Marie, Grand River, Grand and Little Traverse, Mackinac, Ottawa, and other Bands of Chippewa Indians, Under Treaty of July 31, 1855. This is a federal patent list and was treaty settlement for the above bands. If you find someone on the index and want to see copies of the actual records go to . Bureau of Land Management Names of Native Americans who had patents in Elbridge Township Oceana County. Patents in Isabella County signed 27 May 1871

Natives are also named in the First Land Owners series of books compiled by various authors. These books are available for Barry, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Marquette, Mason, Monroe, Oakland, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Van Buren and Wayne counties.

Another helpful book is The Chippewa Land of Keweenaw Bay: An Allotment History by Mark Keller

When looking for later land records at the county level (Register of deeds offices) it may be necessary to look in the index under the Indian name, English name or combinations of the two. While sometimes difficult to locate, land records should not be over looked.

The following is a title abstract that names several Natives who at one time owned the piece of property. BERLIN TWP. MICHIGAN TITLE ABSTRACT


The Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River of Michigan and the allotment of their lands under treaties of August 2, 1855 and  October 18, 1864, transcribed by Larry M. Wyckoff

The Chippewas of Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River at Clarke Historical Library, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.