Bethany asked: Does anyone know approximately how long someone would have to be living on the land to have a preemption certificate issued? Bethany, There is a copy of the Preemption Act of 1841 online at http://www.minnesotalegalhistoryproject.org/assets/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Preemption%20Act%20of%201841.pdf Section 10 of the act outlines the requirements for a person claiming preemption, and as far as residence it states that the individual must "make a settlement in person on the public lands" and "who shall inhabit and improve the same, and who has or shall erect a dwelling thereon." This act does not state a length of time for the residence. Other preemption acts may state a required length of residency, but I did not find it in a quick check of the land books I have at home. The individual applying for a preemption had to be 1) the head of a family, a widow, or single man, 2) over the age of twenty-one years, and 3) a citizen of the United States, or have filed a declaration of intention to become a citizen. I hope this helps. Angela McGhie