Colonial & Early American Land Records

Key points and insights

Unlocking the Secrets of Colonial Land Records for Genealogy

In Colonial & Early American Land Records, George G. Morgan delivers a detailed exploration of one of the most underutilized resources in genealogy: land and property records. Tracing land transfer systems from the earliest colonial settlements through the federal period, Morgan demonstrates how these documents can reveal family connections, migration patterns, and vital clues often absent from traditional civil records. With a deep understanding of the historical and legal frameworks that shaped land ownership, he equips genealogists with the tools to locate, interpret, and make the most of these valuable sources.

Whether dealing with a New England town or a federal land patent in the western territories, land records provide insight into relationships, inheritance and economic conditions through recorded legal actions. Morgan walks viewers through the evolving systems used by European powers and later U.S. authorities, offering practical guidance and real-world examples of how these records can solve long-standing research puzzles.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

• Diverse Colonial Land Models Explained
  Understand the four major land distribution systems—New England, Colonial, Proprietary, and Federal—and how each influenced the records created, from quitclaims and patents to headrights and bounty land warrants.
• Genealogical Gold in Deeds and Dowers
  Discover how property records can confirm relationships, identify married daughters, provide death dates, and offer proof of residence or military service—sometimes even revealing Bible pages used as evidence in land claims.

Research Strategies and Record Access
Learn where to find land records today, including courthouses, state archives, and online repositories. Morgan also shares his favorite reference books for further study.

Why Watch the Full Webinar?

If you’re looking to expand your genealogical research beyond basic vital records, this webinar is a must-watch. George G. Morgan expertly guides you through the complexities of land ownership and shows how these documents can help you break down brick walls and fill in missing pieces of your family story. By understanding how property was transferred, and by whom, you gain access to information that can dramatically enhance your ancestral narrative.

Explore this webinar to gain the skills needed to analyze original documents, interpret metes and bounds surveys, and follow land trails that span generations.

Be sure to also review the included handout for bibliographies, source locations, and  insights that will support your research long after the webinar ends.