Good Day, I have found a wonderful site to search for land patents! The Land Patents at the Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States GLO are now available for searching or downloading. There is a table section for viewing and ALSO you can look at the actual patent with the actual signature of ancestors - and then print it out if you wish! The home page is http://www.glorecords.blm.gov There are FERGUS and DITTY listings, and next I will search for PATTON. Do take a visit! Once you find your ancestor, you can print the land transfer certificate. If the certificate was for a homestead, you can send an email to the National Archives at inquire@arch2.nara.gov and ask for some Form 84's. It takes about 6 weeks after you pay to get the files. Only homesteads have these files available. Information could include a copy of the paper showing the patent issue date, a copy of the filing receipt, a copy of the affidavit showing that notice of filing was posted in the newspaper, a copy of the notice of filing, two affidavits from neighbors showing that the conditions had been met, an affidavit from the homesteader, and if he is not native born a copy of his declaration of intent and his naturalization certificate. If he used his military benefits to get a homestead there may be a paper on his military service. Cynthia crussell@traversecity.com FERGUS Website http://www.traverse.net/people/crussell/fergus_family.htm FERGUS Newsgroup FERGUS-L@rootsweb.com Rootsweb Archives: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl