How to Find Homestead Records

Today I got lucky - accidentally - tracing a distant relative and found a link to his homestead claim near Buffalo, Wyoming - the very same place I workamped two years ago.  It never occurred to me to search for relatives in Buffalo, although I knew I have some living near Sheridan.

Website address:
 https://glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx#searchTabIndex=0&searchByTypeIndex=0

This goverment site is easy to use - just type in the name - and if you know the state that is a plus.

The results:

Another hint. When you get the file you are searching for, hit the tiny "map" button on the left.  The property will then be highlighted in orange on the map.

And the map example.  

In this case, the exact property isn't shown.  However, since it was in Section 35, that would be the next to the last section on the bottom right.  This property was right on the county line with Rooks County.  My grandmother's family (Hess) lived on the other side of the county line.  Gee, wonder how they met?

The patent tab loads a copy of the official patent document.  This can be ordered for $2.00, by snail mail.  

So I guess I'll be busy today looking for more homesteading records.  

Surname Saturday - Joseph W. Hawk family

I see looking back where I listed the family of George Washington Hawk, my great grandfather, but not that of his son, my grandfather, Joseph Washington Hawk (b. 16 May 1858, Montgomery County, Indiana, d. 11 Oct 1935, Clemville, TX).  So here goes:*Married Martha Jane Hess, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Martin) Hess 21 Sept 1881 in Phillips County, Kansas
Children:
1. Hattie Florence, b. 25 Aug 1882, Kirwin, KS; d. 18 Feb 1967, Bay City, TX; m. Tony Showers, 17 Jan 1903 Rooks County, KS;
2. John Walter, b. 26 Aug 1885, Kirwin, KS, d. 1 Oct 1972, Lake Wilson, MN; m. (1) Lillian Brown 14 Apr 1909 Phillips County, KS, later divorced, (2) Josephine Margaret Shannon, 26 Nov 1920, in Sanborn County, South Dakota;
3. George Washington, b. 30 Oct 1887, Kirwin, KS, died in World War I on November 1, 1918.
4. Charles Edward, b. 25 Aug 1890, Kirwin, KS, d. 29 Nov 1962, Mitchell, South Dakota; m. Amelia Idella Sterner (Mattie) on 14 Sept 1921 in Kingsburg County, SD;
5. Alexander Quintas, b. 12 Feb 1893, Kirwin, KS, d. 13 Mar 1893, Kirwin, KS;
6. William Evans, born and died 13 May 1894, Kirwin, KS;
7. Salina Edythe, b. 17 Aug 1896, Kirwin, KS, d. June 1978 Texas; m. Marshall C. Alexander on 2 Mar 1916 in Matagorda County, Texas;
8. Joe Hesacar (my dad), b. 23 Nov 1899 Kirwin, KS; d. 21 Nov 1981, Palacios, Texas, m. Alma Josephine Bond Showers on September 2, 1936;
9. Rosie Clarcey, b. 30 Oct 1903, Kirwin, KS, d. 14 Jun 1949, San Antonio, TX.