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Finding Aids

Historical Index (HI) An HI is a chronological listing of title or status actions affecting a township. Because of the chronological format, information for a particular section or parcel is not easy to abstract. A separate set of HIs was created for acquired lands and related actions. These are referred to as Acquired HIs (ACQ HIs). Tract Books Tract books were maintained by the General Land Offices and were used as the official record to record land entries. Our office maintains the original tract books for the old records area, and microfilm copies of the tract books for the new records area. These books are maintained in a township/range format. Abbreviations were used to annotate tract book entries. A guide to tract book abbreviations is available upon request. Cost recovery fees will apply. Serial Register Pages (SRP) Land entries made or patented after July 1908 were assigned a serial number by the land office. Our office maintains copies of SRPs, by local General Land Office, in microfiche format for all three states. An SRP is a chronological listing of case related actions, and includes the name of the applicant, land description, type of land entry, and status of application (e.g., patented, rejected, relinquished, cancelled). Controlled Document Index (CDI) Patents and other conveyance documents, are maintained in date order by title, township and range. These records are referred to as the Controlled Document Index (CDI). Most notations on the Master Title Plats and Historical Indexes are supported by a CDI document. Copies of CDI documents can be obtained from our office. Mining Claim Microfiche Mining claim microfiche is no longer maintained, however, an up-to-date computer report can be generated. Reports are available for claimant, legal description, and claim name and/or serial number. Requests for reports need to be very specific, (e.g., Do you want information on all claims? active claims only? Do you want quarter section information? Do you want information for the entire section? entire township? or entire range?) Library The State Office maintains a legal reference library. Copies of laws, acts, regulations, statutes, manuals, etc., can be obtained from this source.