Some of the reasons that people went into the west and northwest area in early times was for free or low cost land. There was something known as Oregon Donation Land in the 1850's. I believe that both husband and wife could file a claim for a certain number of acres free. With the passage of time, changes were made in the system so that it became low cost land for various time periods. Remember our ambitious, determined and dream-filled ancestors were always looking for a better place and the government greatly encouraged settlement further and further west by offering incentives to get free or cheap land. If you have not searched www.glorecords.blm.gov you are missing a treat. There is a link on it that explains all of the various ways people were able to get land and the time periods covered for each method. Dot