This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wIB.2ACI/314.1 Message Board Post: To answer your first question, no the land descriptions don't match. The BLM record you cited is for Arctander Township, Section 1. It's often difficult to translate homestead record township and range numbers into more common map locations. Some GenWeb county web sites have this info for their counties. However, in Minnesota I found a very helpful web site at: http://www.mrr.dot.state.mn.us/geotechnical/aggregate/maps.asp The primary purpose of the site is to show gravel pits for the Department of Transportation. However it's helpful for our research because there are maps of every county in Minnesota and, most importantly, the maps show the township and range numbers that match the homestead records. At the BLM General Land Office web site at: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ in addition to doing a basic search on names, you can also do a standard search where the search options include county, township number, and range number. Searching this site you'll be able to find that Knudt Knudson had a homestead in Norway Lake Twp, Section 26, which is closer to what you're looking for but still not an exact match. You can also find out that the BLM web site has no records at all for your Section 23. This often means that the entire section was reserved for some special purpose like a railroad. People often bought this land and local and family histories often still referred to such land as a "homestead". However, since the land wasn't recorded through the national homestead program, you may only be able to find the details you need by doing research at the county land records office. And the answer to your last question is that any or all of these records, or none of these records, could be for your family. In my own family, they filed homestead papers on several different land sections. When you send for the original records, in addition to the basic land grant paper you can also get copies of any supporting documents that were filed. These extra papers often, but not always, provide you with enough information to help you decide if it's your family. Unfortunately, sometimes you'll find out that the papers you order show that there was no relation to your family. Hope this helps. Tim