Just thought I'd pass this along... did you know you can find Land Patents online ? The government has a site, http://www.glorecords.blm.gov This site allows you to search by exact name or just the surname. It will search all states, or you can narrow it down to a particular state.. a particular county.... or a particular township. It will show you a listing of matching names, the county the land patent was filed in, and the land office which recorded the patent as well as the date it was recorded (or filed). Many, if not most, have actual images of the original patents and sometimes those will show other names listed as a warrantee to the patent or as heirs to the patent. I've also found that sometimes, such as in the case of one Watson, it will show the individual 's place of residence as being different from the state and county of the purchased land (he resided in Ohio but purchased land in a neighboring state). Anyway, just thought I'd pass this along in case you were unfamiliar with it. Reb