Land Records

A Research Guide from the Oklahoma Historical Society

About Land Records in Oklahoma

While the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Research Center collections do not include original land records, we can offer information leading to records, which are at county or federal government offices.

Individual land ownership in Oklahoma has existed for just over a century. In Indian Territory it began in 1902 with the allotment of lands by the Dawes Commission. Prior to that time, land in the Indian Territory belonged to the respective tribal nation in which the individual lived.

In Oklahoma Territory, with the exception of the Indigenous land allotments made by the Jerome Commission in the late 1880s, ownership began in 1889 and spread with each of the land openings.

The last land opening in Oklahoma Territory, with the minor exception of the salt plains in Alfalfa County, was in 1906. Land ownership in the Panhandle was possible after the first official survey was completed for the area in the 1890s.

Oklahoma statehood occurred on November 16, 1907, joining Oklahoma and Indian Territories.

County Records

The record books of the 30 judicial Recording Districts (the transitional form of government in the Indian Territory just prior to statehood) were not generally preserved by the newly formed state counties. Consequently, the earliest land records in those counties start in November 1907.

In the Oklahoma Territory region, including the Panhandle, several large counties were divided into smaller counties. This may affect the location of county land records. The types and dates of records available varies by county. The Research Center has reference books that provide information regarding county record holdings.

Counties formed from Indian Territory
Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garvin, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Love, Marshall, Mayes, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington

Counties formed from Oklahoma Territory
Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Noble, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Washita, Woods, Woodward

Counties formed from both territories (mostly the Indian Territory)
Grady, Jefferson, Stephens

Panhandle counties
Beaver, Cimarron, Texas

Homesteaders and the Federal Land Tract Books

Locating where someone lived can be the most difficult part of researching land records. The most comprehensive land locator are the Federal Tract Books of Oklahoma [Territory].

The tract books consist of 72 volumes on microfilm. They are arranged by township and range. To search the tract books by surname, consult the Index to Early Oklahoma Land Tract Books published by the Oklahoma Genealogical Society. The tract books also list Native American allotments for most of Ottawa County and some of Craig and Delaware Counties.

To obtain the homestead files listed in the Tract Books, contact the National Archives or visit archives.gov.

Smith’s First Directory

The second most comprehensive land locator in the Research Center is Smith’s First Directory of Oklahoma Territory, August 1st, 1890–91 (Guthrie: James W. Smith, 1890). This directory lists individuals living in Oklahoma Territory. A name index is also available in print and online at okhistory.org/research/smiths.

Plat Maps

Visit the Research Center to view plat maps and atlases for select areas, including:

  • Woods County, 1906
  • Garfield County, 1906 and 1940 (microfilm)
  • Oklahoma County, 1907
  • Payne County, 1907 (microfilm)
  • Ellis County, 1910
  • Harper County, 1910)
  • Woodward County, 1910
  • Noble County, 1912
  • Kiowa County, 1913 )
  • Kay County, 1921 (microfilm)
  • Grant County, 1928

The following county directories contain either legal land descriptions (section, township, range) or provide the name of the township in which the person resides.

  • Custer County Oklahoma: Land Deed Map, c. 1910, index by Mary Ann Linn LaRue
  • Directory of Garfield County, 1896
  • Business and Resident Directory of Guthrie and Logan County, Oklahoma, September 1, 1892
  • Official Directory of Guthrie and Logan County, 1898
  • Oklahoma City and County Directory, 1900–1901
  • The Homesteaders of Oklahoma County, Okla., compiled by Virgil Harris
  • Woods County Directory, 1895

School Land

Sections 16 and 36 of government townships were usually reserved as school land. This land could be leased but not homesteaded. The money from school land was designated by the Oklahoma Territory, and later the State of Oklahoma, to support specific colleges and universities. School land tract books are held by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Visit their website at libraries.ok.gov.

Townsite Lots

Townsite lot records were recorded in Townsite Trustee Books, which are found at the town’s city hall or at the county seat.

Contact Us

Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center
Oklahoma History Center
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-522-5225
okhistory.org