The Phelps County Genealogical Society has just released its newest genealogical research work. It is a
compilation of maps showing the original land owners in Phelps County. Each of the 22 Congressional
Townships has its own page. In addition to the maps there are several pages of notes for information
which was too small to be placed on the map, including alternate spellings for names as well as
conflicting land claims.
This publication is a first for PCGS because it was published only on computer CD in the very popular PDF
format. PDF files can be read by Adobe Reader which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website.
This CD requires Reader version 4 or greater. Adobe Reader has word search capabilities, a most useful
feature to genealogical researchers. In addition the multi-colored maps can be printed out either as an
entire page, or you can zoom in on a parcel of land and print out only that parcel.
This publication differs from other similar books in several ways:
" 1) Our maps show the land entry date not the date the patent was issued. It was not unusual for a
patent to be issued ten or more years after the land entry. The Land entry date gives the researcher a
more accurate indication of when the family first settled on the land.
" 2) The maps also indicate what type of land patent was issued for each parcel, and the report also
explains the different types of land patents, which patents required residency and which patents are good
indicators that the owners never actually set foot on the land but simply resold their patents.
" 3) Our maps also indicate the Military Land Patents which are not yet generally available.
" 4) Our maps also show the only Spanish Land Grant in Phelps County and the report documents the legal
maneuvering to determine if the Maramec Iron Works would be able to keep its federal land patents or be
ejected from the land due to a previous Spanish Land Grant.
" 5) Comments are also furnished to indicate conflicting land claims and alternate spellings of family
names. Research in this publication was also cross referenced with other publications.
Cost of this new CD is only $12 available at the PCGS office in the Old Court House or for information
call 573-364-9597 or Email to [email protected]
Created on ... September 19, 2007