HOW TO ORDER A FINAL PROOF OF HOMESTEAD PACKET
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN A FINAL PROOF PACKET
Return to Homesteaders Main Page

 

Copies of the Final Proof packet are available from the National Archives. The packets vary, but generally include the date the homesteader first occupied the land, naturalizations papers if applicable, a synopsis of Civil War records if applicable, signature of the homesteader and witnesses, size and description of dwelling the family was living in at the time they "proved up the claim", and sometimes character references. They usually show who is living on the homestead too, but names are not given.

Some homestead records will be for timber culture claims. These are generally very small packets consisting of just a few pages. Timber culture claims generally only show information about trees planted on the property. If there is more than one homestead claim for an individual, the most recent one (the highest book number) will typically be a timber culture claim.

Prior to placing your order, you will need the following key information:

• The name of the homesteader as shown on the land records.
• The homestead number and/or application number identified with the land transfer from the U. S. government to the homesteader (any identifiable numbers on the land patent).
• The legal description of the homestead land.

You can obtain all three pieces of information from the patent record on file in the York County Clerk's office. Requests should be sent to the address shown below. Include a stamped, self-addressed, envelope and at least a quarter per photocopy. If a name appears twice in this index, it means there are two separate records and you should include a quarter for each.

York County Courthouse
Clerk and Register of Deeds
510 Lincoln Avenue
York, NE 68467

Once you have a copy of the land patent from the Clerk's office, you are ready to order your packet from the National Archives. You can try sending your request to the address shown below without a form (don't include money). They will either begin the process and notify you of the cost, or they will mail you a form and ask you to resubmit the request. Be sure to include the required information so they can located the packet (name, homestead claim numbers, legal land description). I generally include a photocopy of the land patent from the Clerk's office with my requests, and find it helpful.

Suitland Reference Branch (NNRR)
Textual Reference Division
National Archives & Records Administration
Washington, D. C. 20409

If you order a homestead packet from the National Archives, or already have one, would you be kind enough to share a copy of it with us? That would enable local students, and others researching your surname, to access them. Our mailing address is: York County Historical Association, P. O. Box 81, York, NE 68467.

You may link to these records, but do not frame, copy, or reproduce them without written permission.
Copyright © 1997-2001, York County Historical Association, or the compiler. All rights reserved.