The Project
The Province of Alberta
celebrates its Centennial on September 1, 2005, and the 100th
Anniversary Committee requested projects to celebrate this important
event. In response, the Alberta Genealogical Society proposed the
creation of an all-name index to the homestead files on 686 reels of
microfilm at the Provincial
Archives
of Alberta (PAA).
Finding a particular homestead
file on these reels is a tedious, error-prone, multi-step process, and
PAA staff spent considerable time guiding researchers through the
steps. A new name index would lead the researcher directly to the reel
and file number.
A Library and
Archives Canada website provides land descriptions for those who
obtained final homestead patent (title) between 1870 and 1930, but does
not include the names of those who, for any reason, did not complete
the homesteading process. An all-name index would include all these
persons, as well as many others who had some 'interest' in the land.
On November 10, 2001 the
Alberta Genealogical Society endorsed a proposal to produce a
comprehensive, integrated, all-name index to Alberta's homestead
records and, with PAA cooperation, the project was on its way.
Dedicated members and friends of the Alberta Genealogical Society
volunteered thousands of hours over the next four years to create this
birthday gift for the Province of Alberta.
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The Homestead Records
Under the Dominion Lands Act,
once Crown land had been surveyed and officially declared available for
settlement, individuals could apply to homestead a quarter section (160
acres) of their choice. Then, after paying a $10 filing fee and
'proving up' their homestead claim (occupying the land for at least
three years and performing certain improvements, including building a
house and barn, fencing, breaking and cropping a portion of the land),
the homesteader could apply for patent (title) to the land.
Dominion Lands Branch in Ottawa
managed the homesteading process, although business was conducted at
local land agency offices throughout the Province. When each quarter
section was homesteaded for the first time it was given a file number
and all documents relating to that quarter were placed on file until
the land patent was granted.
Control of natural resources
was transferred to the provinces in 1930 and records of active
transactions were turned over to the Province. Documents related to
patented lands, abandoned claims and other dormant records were also
transferred to the Province in 1956. These records were microfilmed and
the originals destroyed. The resulting 686 microfilm reels were
transferred to the PAA and are found in Accession 1970.313. It is this
collection that has been indexed by Alberta Genealogical Society
volunteers.
Homestead files normally
contain:
- An application for
homestead, containing the applicant's name, age, birthplace, last
residence, prior occupation, number of adults and children in household.
- An application for patent,
containing name, age, occupation, post office, nationality, residency
information, wife/children (no names), breaking/cropping, livestock,
buildings, fencing.
- A notice that patent (title)
has been issued.
Questions asked on a homestead
application in:
Homestead files may also
contain many other documents, such as inspector's reports, records of
abandonment, handwritten letters, wills, naturalization certificates,
scrip, seed grain liens, court proceedings, etc. Researching these
files for family history purposes can be very rewarding.
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The Database
The following information was extracted from the homestead files:
- Film number in PAA Accession
1970.313
- File number
- Legal Land Description
(Section, Township, Range, Meridian)
- Place name (when no legal
land description listed)
- Surname
- Given name(s)
The database also includes organizations extracted from the records. To
search for these, include any of the following in the surname field: Cemetery,
Churches,
Company, Indian Band, Municipality, Police, Ranch,
Reservation, and School District.
Although every effort has been
made to achieve accuracy in the data, there may be errors due to hard
to read handwriting, variations in spelling of surnames, recording of
file numbers, etc. If, in your research, you discover mistakes please
let us know and it will be corrected.
Please note that variations of
spelling in given names and surnames within a file have been added as
separate records in the data.
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How to View a Homestead File
The microfilmed homestead files (PAA Accession 1970.313) can be viewed
in the Reading Room at the PAA. With the film and file numbers from the
Homestead Index the researcher now has easy access to all files of
interest. Microfilm readers and printers are available.
Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA)
8555 Roper Road
Edmonton Alberta
Phone: 780-427-1750
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Wednesday - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
The PAA is closed to the public on Sunday and Monday.
In most cases the files on a
reel are in numerical order. However the researcher should be aware
that this is not always the case and it may take a little searching to
find the correct file. Consulting the list of file numbers inserted in
each reel box can often help locate out of order files.
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How to Order a Copy of a Homestead File
Contact the Alberta Genealogical Society if you are interested in
obtaining copies of a homestead file.
Send your request by e-mail to:
homestead8@abgensoc.ca
Or by regular mail to:
Research Services
Committee
Alberta Genealogical Society
162,
14315 -
118 Avenue
Edmonton,
Alberta
T5H 4S6 Canada
Note: There is a fee for copies.
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Ask a Question / Forward a Correction
If you have questions about the project, database or have found errors
in the data please contact the Alberta Genealogical Society.
Send an e-mail to:
homestead8@abgensoc.ca
Or regular mail to:
Research Services
Committee
Alberta Genealogical Society
162,
14315 -
118 Avenue
Edmonton,
Alberta
T5H 4S6 Canada
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