LANDER VALLEY HOMESTEADERS
Over 150 pioneers - trappers, explorers, soldiers, and emigrant farmers - chose to settle in the valleys of the Wind and Popo Agie rivers before and during days of the Wyoming Territory. Many of those who came settled on free federal government land offered under the Homestead Act of 1862. Those who took up homesteads became an integral part of the cultural and economic heritage of the Lander Valley. In an effort to preserve this vital part of our shared past, we present here an online data base that provides, historical accounts and genealogical references for these indomitable pioneers who settled here during the territorial days of Wyoming.
WHAT WILL YOU FIND ON THIS SITE?
History of homesteading: Federal Land Entry Acts, homestead requirements, types, and resource links
Alphabetic index of homesteader names
Homesteaders 1880-1899: Names of those who received Patents during Wyoming Territorial times up to the close of the 19th century.
- Alphabetic homesteader surname, given name, year of birth & death.
- Homestead legal description, date of patent
- Individual homestead location and boundaries superimposed on current topographic relief maps
- Biographies, photos, and family history
- Vital records and other genealogical information.
Homesteaders 1900-1916: Names of those who received patents at the beginning of the 20th century up to the time that the Homestead Act of 1862 was changed.
- Alphabetic homesteader surname, given name, year of birth & death.
- Date of patent, legal description
- Homesteader bios, family records and genealogical information are available upon request. Donations for services gratefully accepted.
This data base does not include maps of the homestead boundaries. However, by calling up the BLM GLO land records internet site, you can find, within Wyoming and Fremont County, a generalized map of each homestead by first searching with the homesteader surname, and then matching it with date of patent, Township, Range, and Section. (The map will appear when the patent accession No. is highlighted.)
Additional genealogical records for Lander Valley homesteaders can be accessed on internet sites through use of surname, location/residence, and years of birth and death.
1880 - 1899 HOMESTEADERS BY LAST NAME
1900 - 1916 HOMESTEADERS BY LAST NAME