“Go West, Young Man”: The Homestead Act of 1862 • FamilySearch

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“Go West, Young Man”: The Homestead Act of 1862 • FamilySearch

The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed for the great expansion of the United States in the westward migration.

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Anton Soukup

From https://www.archives.gov/files/calendar/genealogy-fair/6-muhn-presentation.pdf - Since the 1830s, patents were not personally signed by the President but made by a “Secretary” in the General Land Office appointed for that purpose.

Anton Soukup

It is stated above "The homesteader could not sell his land until 5 years after the Patent." This is not true. The homesteader had to live on and improve the land for 5 years before being eligible to receive the patent. During this 5-year period, the land could not be sold or transferred. Once the homesteader received the patent, they had full ownership rights to the land and could sell, transfer, or do whatever they wished. There are many examples where the homesteader sold the land shortly after they got the patent including one of my great-great-grandfathers.

Susie Carlson

Anton Soukup Thank you for your comment. We will have our team review this.