Hello Carlson, GEN-NORDIC, and Minnehaha listers, I have just received copies from NARA regarding the homestead claim of a Hans J. CARLSON. He was a long shot for me, and, it seems, a miss -- he's not mine. If anyone would like to claim this fellow, let me know and I will send you the copies. It is one of the most complete files I've gotten from NARA. (This says Day Co., but the original BLM said Minnehaha). A precis of the information: Hans J. CARLSON filed his claim in the Watertown, Dakota land office 31 Mar 1882. He amended his claim and final papers were filed in 1888, by which time he was 47 (it is difficult to read because there is both a 3 and a 4, but I think the 4 is the dominant number). He had "renounced allegiance to the King of Norway and Sweden" and become a US citizen. He had a wife and one child, had been a farm laborer in Ortonville (?), Minn prior to homesteading. His post office address at the time of filing was Webster, Day Co., Dakota and he had voted in the same township for 6 years. Moved to this property 4 July 1882. Neighbors included Peter ECKER, John RESECHKE, and Alexander PISCHKE. Witnesses were Marshall PARKHILL, James ENGELHART, John SCHMIG, and James AFFLICK (paperwork only for the first two). His claim was the SE 1/4 of NW 1/4, NEW 1/4 of SW 1/4 and W 1/2 of SW 1/4, section 15, township 12172 of range 55W of the 5 meridien. 160 acres. I do hope he belongs to someone. Please let me know if he does. Kim in California kimesl@redshift.com