How did Ohio’s pioneers receive public lands?

COLUMBUS – Ohio has a peculiar role as the nation’s first “public land” state, with early settlers often receiving grants of public lands from the government. How did that process work?

On Nov. 2, the Franklin County Genealogical and Ohio Historical Society staff will present Acres for Asking: The Public Land Distribution Process at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This session explains the disposition of public land in the United States including grants, direct sales, bounty lands, and homesteads.

The difference between public – and private – land states will be discussed with emphasis on Ohio as the “laboratory” where the federal township survey system was perfected. Various Ohio surveys will be presented to explain the peculiar role of Ohio as the first public-land state.

Registration is $10 for members of the Ohio Historical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, and the Franklin County Genealogical Society; $15 for nonmembers. To register call 800-686-1536 or 614-297-2510.