Dedicated to
our forefathers whose determination, sacrifices, hardships
and pioneering spirit have provided us with a prosperous
and progressive province, rich in heritage and diverse in cultures
The Project
In 2005 the Alberta Genealogical
Society - Edmonton Branch endorsed a proposal to produce a
comprehensive, integrated, all-name index to the microfilmed Alberta
land records in Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA) Accession 1974.048.
Members of the Branch have volunteered many hours to create this index
making information on Alberta land settlement accessible to everyone.
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Alberta Homestead Records
Prior to 1930, records of land
settlement in Alberta were handled by the Dominion Lands Branch of the
Federal Government. Control of natural resources was transferred in
1930 and all active land files were turned over to the Province. These
files were then re-numbered into a series designation using the
prefixes GL (General Lands, mainly homesteads), SL (School Lands) and GR (Grazing
Leases, mainly ranches). After 1954 the files were organized by
land description and the series designation discontinued (Land Description).
Documents in these files may date
from early 1900 to late 1950's. Files were stamped closed, stored and
then microfilmed during the 1950's and 1960's as sections of land were
disposed of, patented, or sold. The microfilms in this collection were
deposited in the Provincial Archives of Alberta in 1974 and accessioned
as 1974.048. The original files were mainly destroyed.
The files in this collection may contain homestead applications, sale
of land documents, lease agreements, as well as 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.
NOTE: Names often appeared only
once in a file making transcription difficult. Use the Advanced Search
facility on the search screen to find spelling variations.
General Lands
(GL) Series
These files pertain mainly to homesteading activity in Alberta and were
active Dominion Land Branch files when transferred by the Federal
Government to the Alberta Provincial Government in 1930. The files were
renumbered into the provincial "GL" series and transaction
documentation added after 1930. Closed files were microfilmed 1939-1954
and most original files were destroyed. (1183 microfilm reels)
School Lands
(SL) Series
Sections 11 and 29 of each township were set aside and disposed of to
finance school construction and purchase of school supplies. The files
in this collection document the disposal of these lands and were
created by the School Lands Branch, Department of Interior and still
active in 1930 when transferred to the Alberta Provincial Government.
The Branch Registry used its own file numbering system and case files
were prefixed with the letters "SL". (280 microfilm reels)
Grazing Files
(GR) Series
The files in this collection were created by the Dominion Lands Branch,
Department of Interior, and were still active in 1930 when transferred
to the Alberta Provincial Government. The collection documents the
granting of ranching leases and all case files were prefixed with the
letters "GR". Documentation of land transactions occurring after 1930
was added to the files by the Alberta Provincial Government. Closed
files were microfilmed in the 1950's. (307 microfilm reels)
Land
Description Files
All series distinctions in land transactions were abandoned ca1954;
after this date files were organized by legal land description rather
than purpose. These files were microfilmed 1960-1970 and original files
mainly destroyed. (567 microfilm
reels)
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The Database
The following information was
extracted from the land transaction files:
- Film number in PAA Accession
1974.048
- 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,
Municipality, Ranch, School District, Organization, and Society.
Although every effort has been
made to achieve accuracy in the data, there may be errors due to
legibility, variations in spelling of surnames, recording of file
numbers, etc. If, in your research, you discover a mistake, please let
us know and it will be corrected.
NOTE: Names often appeared only once in a file making transcription
difficult. Use the Advanced Search facility on the search screen to
find spelling variations.
Please note that variations of
spelling in given names and surnames within a file have been listed as
separate records in the data.
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How
to View a Homestead File
The microfilmed files, in
Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA) Accession 1974.048, can be viewed
in the Reading Room at the PAA. With the film and file numbers from the
online index the researcher now has easy access to all records 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.
NOTE: 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 a copy of a file.
Send your request by e-mail to:
homestead7@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:
homestead7@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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