Do you remember when you first learned to ride a bike? How about your first day of high school? I recently thought about some of the wonderful “firsts” in my life.

In 1987 the Minnesota Twins made their first World Series appearance (which they won) and I was there. I still have my Homer Hanky and lots of good memories. Last spring was the first time I was present at the birth of a baby that was not my own. (Although the births of my own three were pretty special.) My latest granddaughter made her appearance and I was there to see her debut. I was present at the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC on April 1, 2002 when the ribbon was cut to open the 1930 census for researchers.

A few weekends ago I was a speaker at a seminar in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was one of the events celebrating the centennial of the province and was my first time lecturing in Canada. After my opening session talk there was to be a special announcement regarding a SHIP.

A New Online Database
That Friday, October 21, the Saskatchewan Homestead Index was launched live and the excitement in the room was wonderful. I was there and best of all, I had my computer with me and there was wireless access in the meeting area. More on that part later. I loved that the official launch was made in a room full of genealogists. We’ve come a long way, baby. SHIP? That is the Saskatchewan Homestead Index Project.

The Index
The Saskatchewan Homestead Index database contains 360,000 references to men and women that, under the terms of the Dominion Lands Act, took part in the homestead process from 1870-1930. Researchers may access this online index from anywhere in the world. It is also available on CD-ROM from the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society.

Long-time researchers with Saskatchewan family may know that there have been index cards available in Saskatchewan and via the Family History Library. This new index provides many more gems for researchers.

True Searchability
The database may be searched by name, land location, and the type of the special land grant. The resulting entry contains the name of the applicant, the legal land description, if applicable the type of land grant, and the number of the homestead file number. For some there are additional notations such as the name of the legal representative if the applicant died before the land grant process was completed.

Putting It To Use
After the announcement and live presentation, a group of the attendees gathered around my computer and we began to check the index. My niece’s husband is from Saskatchewan and at their request I have been doing some research on his family. There were several hits on his ancestors with a few new details. People gave me other names to search and some had surprises come up on the screen. We also did some searches using only the terms “Reverend,” “Scrip,” and “Soldier.” We noticed some entries for legal representatives where it appeared a surviving widow may have remarried.

The Homestead Records
These records were created by the Canadian Federal Department of the Interior and “document the history of the earliest agricultural settlement of Saskatchewan and how the pioneers fared in their first years on the land.” The index and records also include those who sold or bought North West Metis or South African scrip or received Soldier Grants following service in the First World War. Quoting further, “The digital index will, for the first time, allow researchers to gain a better understanding of how Metis scrip became a commodity for intense speculation during the settlement period. It will also make it easier for researchers to access the records of women who filed for homesteads in Saskatchewan.”

Many Saskatchewan farm families use these records to help document their land ownership when applying for a Century Farm Award.

The Originals
The homestead card index and records are held by the Saskatchewan Archives Board at its Saskatoon location. Using the file number in the index leads to the original homestead file which may contain information such as nationality, place of origin and family makeup as well as sworn statements and information about the homestead including required agricultural improvements to the land. Correspondence about matters concerning the homestead may also be in the file.

As mentioned above, the index is on microfilm at the FHL as are the homestead files. Some of the files at the FHL do not have all document sides microfilmed, but I will still be using them this coming January. The SHIP website has details on how to order the full homestead file from Saskatoon. Be sure to request that all sides of every document be copied.

How the Index Came About
This searchable index is a great cooperative project. A joint committee of representatives from the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society and the Saskatchewan Archives Board guided the efforts. The project had the support of several working partners and sponsors which are detailed at the SHIP website. Saskatchewan is the only province where the original homestead records are still available for public research. This index makes the research process easier for the users and the Archives staff.

The Future
The online index is Phase I. The future will bring more. In Phase II, a web based virtual exhibit will show the settlement experience in Saskatchewan. This will include copies of typical homestead documents, photographs, diaries and letters, interactive maps, and other archival sources pertaining to pioneer days. When the funding is available, the entire contents of the homestead files will be digitized and made available on the Internet. Of course, the funding and the work will not happen overnight. The website has information on how to be a supporting partner of this superb effort.

Why Am I So Excited About It?
Of course, it was neat to find things about my nephew-in-law’s many families. But, the best part was that I found out I may have several Saskatchewan connections of my own. Not direct ancestors but siblings or cousins of my ancestors. I always check some of my more unusual surnames in indexes and this time it really worked. These families were in eastern Canada and it makes sense that family members joined others migrating westward. Now, I am itching to figure out the exact connection to my ancestors.

Check It Out
I bet you thought I forgot to give you the URL so you could search this index. Go to www.saskhomesteads.com. Be sure to visit the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society’s website as well (www.SaskGenealogy.com), and the Saskatchewan Archives Board (www.SaskArchives.com).

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, is a professional genealogist, consultant, writer, and lecturer. She has lectured all across the U.S., in Canada, and coordinates the Intermediate Course, American Records & Research at the annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is co-author of Your Guide to the Family History Library and an author for genealogical periodicals including Ancestry Magazine. She is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota and spends many weeks each year at the Family History Library and the U.S. National Archives. Her roots include ancestors from seven different countries and researching them has given her broad experience and an occasional headache or two. Comments will reach her at PSWResearch@comcast.net. Paula is unable to answer individual genealogical research inquiries due to the volume of e-mails received.

Copyright 2005, MyFamily.com.