Land records can be very useful in genealogical research. Often heirs are named in land records even when there is no will or probate records. This information can be the needed link between English name and Indian name.

Because of the treaties where the different tribes ceded their land to the government allotments of land were made. These allotments can be found on a CD-Rom entitled General Land Office, Automated Records Project, Pre-1908 Homestead & Cash Entry Patents and Cadastral Survey Plat Index, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management - Michigan. This CD gives the full name of the person receiving the patent, location of the land (section, township and range), the amount of land in acres, the date of signing, the land office and document and image numbers. Using these numbers you can send to the Bureau of Land management and receive a photocopy of the actual land patent — current cost is under $2. Records can also be found online at BLM - ES, GLO Records

Names of Native Americans who had patents in Elbridge Township Oceana County. Patents in Isabella County signed 27 May 1871

Natives are also named in the First Land Owners series of books compiled by various authors. These books are available for Barry, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Marquette, Mason, Monroe, Oakland, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Van Buren and Wayne counties.

Another helpful book is The Chippewa Land of Keweenaw Bay: An Allotment History by Mark Keller

When looking for later land records at the county level (Register of deeds offices) it may be necessary to look in the index under the Indian name, English name or combinations of the two. While sometimes difficult to locate, land records should not be over looked.

The following is a title abstract that names several Natives who at one time owned the piece of property. BERLIN TWP. MICHIGAN TITLE ABSTRACT