ANCESTOR TRACKS – USING ANCESTOR TRACKS – USING LAND TRACTS TO TRACK LAND TRACTS TO TRACK

YOUR ANCESTORSYOUR ANCESTORS

Sharon MacInnes, Ph.D.Sharon MacInnes, Ph.D. Angus MacInnesAngus MacInnes

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Our MissionOur MissionWe are committed to:We are committed to: Uncovering land records which will precisely locate the earliest Uncovering land records which will precisely locate the earliest

landowners of as many land tracts of Pennsylvania as we can, very landowners of as many land tracts of Pennsylvania as we can, very often often pinpointing settlerspinpointing settlers before the first census of 1790 as well as before the first census of 1790 as well as subsequent censusessubsequent censuses

► Publishing and indexing Publishing and indexing Township Warrantee MapsTownship Warrantee Maps containing containing details of the first landowners of PA and publishing them as details of the first landowners of PA and publishing them as county county atlasesatlases; these maps have not previously been easily accessible to ; these maps have not previously been easily accessible to researchersresearchers

► Publishing finding-aid resources for researchers of early landowners, Publishing finding-aid resources for researchers of early landowners, such as the such as the Warrant Registers Warrant Registers in the Pennsylvania Archives which in the Pennsylvania Archives which cover all 67 counties, as well as the earliest transfers of land from the cover all 67 counties, as well as the earliest transfers of land from the Penns to private individuals (“Original Purchasers” and “Old Rights”); Penns to private individuals (“Original Purchasers” and “Old Rights”); the the Patent Registers; Patent Registers; and theand the Tract Name Indexes Tract Name Indexes for tracts which for tracts which were patented with nameswere patented with names..

► Adding Adding free images of maps in the Library of Congressfree images of maps in the Library of Congress to our to our website which show landowners (to coordinate with censuses--1860s, website which show landowners (to coordinate with censuses--1860s, 1870s, etc.) 1870s, etc.)

► Linking other sitesLinking other sites which have resources for early PA land records to which have resources for early PA land records to our site, thus creating a our site, thus creating a one-stop centerone-stop center where genealogists can click where genealogists can click on their PA county of interest and be taken to those resources, no on their PA county of interest and be taken to those resources, no matter where those resources might be. matter where those resources might be.

Why Are Landowner Maps Why Are Landowner Maps Important?Important?

► Warrantee Maps often are the only way to locate Warrantee Maps often are the only way to locate exactly where your ancestors were living prior to exactly where your ancestors were living prior to and after the Census of 1790and after the Census of 1790

► Friends and relatives moved in groups, so maps Friends and relatives moved in groups, so maps help you trace these movements westwardhelp you trace these movements westward

► Neighborhoods often reveal family relationshipsNeighborhoods often reveal family relationships► Questionable families can be verified through Questionable families can be verified through

nearby related families, sponsors and witnessesnearby related families, sponsors and witnesses► Migration trails of related families indicate where to Migration trails of related families indicate where to

look next to find yourslook next to find yours► Tract locations lead to specific areas to search for Tract locations lead to specific areas to search for

original documents, court records, tax lists, original documents, court records, tax lists, published locality historiespublished locality histories

Where do you go next after you find your ancestor in a Where do you go next after you find your ancestor in a census? Use tax lists, church records, and county histories, census? Use tax lists, church records, and county histories,

but but land recordsland records are essential. Residents listed in the are essential. Residents listed in the census can be placed together since census takers usually census can be placed together since census takers usually

went door-to-door. So check to see if we have published the went door-to-door. So check to see if we have published the Township Warrantee Maps for that county.Township Warrantee Maps for that county.

For example, William Marsh owned no land, but the 1790

census places him near several relatives in

Washington Co., PA, including his mother-in-law Ann

(WELLS) LEVINS (census not returned by township).

Although the Washington County Census was not returned by Although the Washington County Census was not returned by township, the Jefferson Township Warrantee Map in our township, the Jefferson Township Warrantee Map in our Early Early

Landowners of PA: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Landowners of PA: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Washington CountyWashington County pinpoints closely related residents pinpoints closely related residents

grouped together in the 1790 Census, including…grouped together in the 1790 Census, including…

Ann Levins’ tract “Rag Town” is shown in Jefferson Twp., Ann Levins’ tract “Rag Town” is shown in Jefferson Twp., Washington Co., PA, surrounded by her daughter and son-Washington Co., PA, surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law, brothers, sons, and nephews. State draftsmen used in-law, brothers, sons, and nephews. State draftsmen used

original surveys to create Township Warrantee Maps original surveys to create Township Warrantee Maps starting in 1907.starting in 1907.

The Washington County Warrant Register, pg. 237 (on our The Washington County Warrant Register, pg. 237 (on our CD CD Colonial and State Warrant Registers in the Colonial and State Warrant Registers in the

Pennsylvania ArchivesPennsylvania Archives CD) documents Ann LEVINS’ CD) documents Ann LEVINS’ Warrant to Accept her tract and shows the page and Warrant to Accept her tract and shows the page and

volume where her Warrant and Survey are recordedvolume where her Warrant and Survey are recorded

Ann Levins’ Survey, 1787Ann Levins’ Survey, 1787(Information on the Township Warrantee Map in our (Information on the Township Warrantee Map in our Washington County Atlas, as well as our Washington Washington County Atlas, as well as our Washington County Warrant Register on CD, led to the original County Warrant Register on CD, led to the original

document in the PA Archives, Harrisburg)document in the PA Archives, Harrisburg)

What Is Our Process for Our What Is Our Process for Our Atlases?Atlases?

PurchasePurchase: We purchase : We purchase Township Warrantee Township Warrantee Maps, usually from the Maps, usually from the Pennsylvania Archives Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg, like this in Harrisburg, like this 48” X43” map of 48” X43” map of Cumru Township, Berks Cumru Township, Berks Co. If maps don’t exist Co. If maps don’t exist for a township, we for a township, we search for and include search for and include alternate sources.alternate sources.

We Transcribe the DataWe Transcribe the Data

►We transcribe all of the information We transcribe all of the information shown for every tract (the following is shown for every tract (the following is part of Cumru Township, Berks part of Cumru Township, Berks County)County)

We Add Atlas CoordinatesWe Add Atlas Coordinates

►After all data has After all data has been transcribed, been transcribed, we reduce the we reduce the size of the maps size of the maps and superimpose and superimpose them onto an them onto an atlas layout pageatlas layout page

These Maps Introduce Each These Maps Introduce Each Township ChapterTownship Chapter

► Now we proofread Now we proofread each piece of data for each piece of data for each tract and add a each tract and add a last column to the last column to the chart for the chart for the coordinatescoordinates

► Then we add footnotes Then we add footnotes if we find data if we find data regarding the specific regarding the specific landowner or tractlandowner or tract

IndexIndex

►Finally, we add an Finally, we add an everyname index to everyname index to make all of this make all of this treasure store of treasure store of information is information is accessible to accessible to researchersresearchers

(partial index from (partial index from our Greene Co. our Greene Co. book)book)

So How Can a Researcher Use So How Can a Researcher Use Our Products?Our Products?

► After tracing your ancestor back as far as you can go in After tracing your ancestor back as far as you can go in Pennsylvania court houses, check the books we have published for Pennsylvania court houses, check the books we have published for those counties, or click on the map at those counties, or click on the map at www.ancestortracks.comwww.ancestortracks.com to to see if another land record source exists; see if another land record source exists;

► andand check our Warrant Registers CD to see if your ancestor was check our Warrant Registers CD to see if your ancestor was an original owner (warrantee) who purchased from the colony or an original owner (warrantee) who purchased from the colony or the state; the state; alsoalso check our Patent Register Indexes CD to see if he or check our Patent Register Indexes CD to see if he or she was a patentee (someone who purchased from the warrantee she was a patentee (someone who purchased from the warrantee and actually received clear title); and actually received clear title);

► andand check our Warrant Registers CD and Patent Registers CD to check our Warrant Registers CD and Patent Registers CD to see if your ancestor came from a see if your ancestor came from a differentdifferent county, esp. the parent county, esp. the parent county;county;

► ifif you only know the name of the tract he or she owned, check you only know the name of the tract he or she owned, check our Tract Name Index CD to see who warranted & patented the our Tract Name Index CD to see who warranted & patented the land. Perhaps there’s a connection;land. Perhaps there’s a connection;

► useuse surrounding names of landowners for further research, surrounding names of landowners for further research, placing your ancestor into the context of his community. You will placing your ancestor into the context of his community. You will find clues in neighboring tracts to relatives and close affinities.find clues in neighboring tracts to relatives and close affinities.

Our ProductsOur Products► Warrant RegistersWarrant Registers and and Patent Register IndexesPatent Register Indexes and and

Tract Name Indexes Tract Name Indexes from PA Archives (on CD) which show the from PA Archives (on CD) which show the first transfer of land from the Penns (or later, the first transfer of land from the Penns (or later, the Commonwealth) to private owners. Please note: These Commonwealth) to private owners. Please note: These registers should not be confused with the deed registers registers should not be confused with the deed registers located in the counties which show all subsequent land located in the counties which show all subsequent land transfers. transfers.

► County Atlases called County Atlases called Early Landowners of PA: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps Early Landowners of PA: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of of *** County*** County

► CDs containing the CDs containing the large maps large maps obtained from the PA Archives obtained from the PA Archives and other sources, but not the transcribed information. These and other sources, but not the transcribed information. These can be cut and pasted into your family history.can be cut and pasted into your family history.

► Free images Free images showing landowners on our website from later showing landowners on our website from later maps (1860s, 1870s, etc.) (scroll down page)maps (1860s, 1870s, etc.) (scroll down page)

► Links to other sites Links to other sites which have resources for early PA land which have resources for early PA land records to our site (scroll down to PA map)records to our site (scroll down to PA map)

Ordering InformationOrdering Information

► Using the information in our Warrant and Using the information in our Warrant and Patent Indexes (on CDs), or the Tract Name Patent Indexes (on CDs), or the Tract Name Index (on CD), or on the Township Index (on CD), or on the Township Warrantee Maps (in our books), you can Warrantee Maps (in our books), you can request copies of original warrants, surveys request copies of original warrants, surveys and patents from Harrisburg as follows: and patents from Harrisburg as follows: $25/name for non-PA residents (search includes $25/name for non-PA residents (search includes

10 single-sided xerox copies)10 single-sided xerox copies) $15 for PA residents$15 for PA residents

PA State ArchivesPA State Archives350 North Street350 North Street

Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090Harrisburg, PA 17120-0090

How Can You Help Other Researchers How Can You Help Other Researchers Access These Essential Tools for Access These Essential Tools for

Uncovering Early PA Landowners?Uncovering Early PA Landowners?► Click on the following if you have a genealogical Click on the following if you have a genealogical

society or family history society or family history newsletternewsletter► Click on the following if you are a Click on the following if you are a speaker or lecturerspeaker or lecturer► Click on the following if you are a Click on the following if you are a

professional genealogistprofessional genealogist► Click on the following if you are a Click on the following if you are a

genealogical librariangenealogical librarian or or historical societyhistorical society► Click on the following if you have a Click on the following if you have a websitewebsite► If our website at If our website at www.ancestortracks.comwww.ancestortracks.com does not does not

address an issue or you think of something else, click address an issue or you think of something else, click on the following for all on the following for all suggestions or suggestions or questionsquestions

And the #1 Reason Why land matters…And the #1 Reason Why land matters…

““I remember vividly one trip to what we had identified as a many great I remember vividly one trip to what we had identified as a many great grandfather’s acreage. I was standing, looking at the land, much how it grandfather’s acreage. I was standing, looking at the land, much how it must have looked nearly 250 years ago with its ever-expanding stands of must have looked nearly 250 years ago with its ever-expanding stands of trees, valleys and hills, and each little valley having a ‘run’ or ‘lick’ to trees, valleys and hills, and each little valley having a ‘run’ or ‘lick’ to identify it and the people who lived there. I could smell my ancestry in the identify it and the people who lived there. I could smell my ancestry in the handful of dirt I picked up, a clean earthen smell that told of the melding of handful of dirt I picked up, a clean earthen smell that told of the melding of a people and the land. It told a story of people that moved on, and were a people and the land. It told a story of people that moved on, and were better for having known the land, leaving behind a land that was better for better for having known the land, leaving behind a land that was better for having known the people. It told the story of a hard and hostile land, of having known the people. It told the story of a hard and hostile land, of Indian raids and captured or dying children, spouses, cousins, and families, Indian raids and captured or dying children, spouses, cousins, and families, but also the story of gentle land, of rebirth, joining and continuing the but also the story of gentle land, of rebirth, joining and continuing the cycle. cycle.

““Here in this little valley that still held so many of my ancestors, I was touched Here in this little valley that still held so many of my ancestors, I was touched by the smallness of it all, the smallness of West Virginia, the smallness of by the smallness of it all, the smallness of West Virginia, the smallness of myself, yet a smallness, that when put together with all the other myself, yet a smallness, that when put together with all the other smallnesses creates the vast tapestry we call genealogy. Standing there smallnesses creates the vast tapestry we call genealogy. Standing there with the dust flowing from my outstretched palm, and the warm wind at my with the dust flowing from my outstretched palm, and the warm wind at my face, it suddenly dawned on me why my wife and I do genealogy. It’s not face, it suddenly dawned on me why my wife and I do genealogy. It’s not to prove that we’re related to some magnificent historical figure or group, to prove that we’re related to some magnificent historical figure or group, and it’s not to have a legacy to pass on to our children or grandchildren, and it’s not to have a legacy to pass on to our children or grandchildren, but simply a drive to complete the puzzle, a genealogical jigsaw puzzle with but simply a drive to complete the puzzle, a genealogical jigsaw puzzle with its myriad of shapes and colors. We keep looking for the pieces and trying its myriad of shapes and colors. We keep looking for the pieces and trying to fit them together, turning, twisting and examining each piece, until we fit to fit them together, turning, twisting and examining each piece, until we fit it in with the rest, or set it aside to be looked at later. And we do all this for it in with the rest, or set it aside to be looked at later. And we do all this for no other reason than deep inside we know the puzzle needs to be worked.” no other reason than deep inside we know the puzzle needs to be worked.” Dennis Ridenour, NGSDennis Ridenour, NGS