Homestead Records, Surveyor Maps and, Historical Maps of Alberta

I initially started my family research over 30 years ago, mainly through the Provincial Archives of Alberta and viewing microfilm. Since then, I have taken out an Ancestry.ca account and completed my DNA test. Over the years, the amount of information available online has also increased.

With my two great grandfathers, again they have gone in two different paths.

Elko Kalynchuk took out a homestead near Wostok/Andrew and sold it after receiving his title in 1906. Then he moved twice and finally ended up in the Primula district near Elk Point, Alberta. Elko had five sons so as the Wostok district was filling up with Ukrainian settlers taking out one quarter-section of homestead land, he had to move to a location with more land available for his sons.

With Partemy Pawliuk, he took out a homestead northeast of Elko’s place and expanded his land holdings over the years. His homestead was passed on to his son, Daniel. Partemy had only one son.

In the book, “Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta, 1891 – 1900” by Dr. V.J. Kaye is listed “Elko Kalanczuk, application date 16 May 1898, homestead NE-36-56-18-W-4.M, Patent granted (12 January 1904). Not listed on same quarter section in 1923. P.O. Wostok, Alta.

The homestead records show a lot of information, what he broke and cropped per year, livestock, buildings etc. You should look at all of the information listed on the homestead documents and record it in your research log.

In the book, “Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta, 1891 – 1900” by Dr. V.J. Kaye is listed Partemij Pawluk, application date 12 July 1899, homestead NW-3-57-17-W.4.M, acres excepting and reserving 1 chain width for a Public Road crossing the said land. Patent granted (on 19 September 1904). Listed on the same quarter section in 1923, also on SE-4-57-17-W.4.M., P.O. Limestone Lake, Alta. On Ancestry.ca his name is listed as Portenij Pawluk on his homestead record.

In the “Genealogical Research at the Provincial Archives of Alberta” document is listed “Homestead application files identify when an individual applied, received and worked a section of land through the historic Dominion Lands Branch homestead process. These records are often used in applications for the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award. Documents relating to the application and patent process typically include a legal description of the land as well as details about the applicant, including age, place of birth, former place of residence and date of entry on to the land. Marital status is indicated but the spouse is not usually named. Minor children are rarely identified. If the applicant was not a Canadian citizen at the time of application, naturalization documents may be included as only Canadian citizens or British subjects could receive homestead titles.”

Source: https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/sites/default/files/2020-09/Intro%20to%20Genealogy.pdf

In the book “Ukrainian Genealogy”, by John D. Pilash, on page 79 is listed, “If your ancestor was not a homesteader but purchased land, checking at a Land Titles Office will reveal when the acquisition occurred and who the previous owners were.” 

In my case, my father had an idea of where his grandfather had moved to, and he also had some old farm receipts. I found the quarter section on the receipts then went to the Land Titles Office and requested copies of the land documents. He knew that it was in the Slawa district and would point to the direction while we were driving from Elk Point to Vermilion on Highway 41. It was on the west side of the highway!


Resources:

Alberta, Canada, Homestead Records, 1870-1930 – Ancestry.ca
https://www.ancestry.ca/search/collections/60865/

Homestead Records - Provincial Archives of Alberta
https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/how-to/explore-paa-research-resources/homestead-records

About Homestead Records - Provincial Archives of Alberta
https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/sites/default/files/2020-09/Homestead%20Records.pdf

Finding Your Ukrainian Ancestors…, 4th Edition, Muryl Andrejciw Geary
Homestead Records, pages 141-143

Ukrainian Genealogy, John D. Pihach
Homestead and Land Records, pages 76-79

Surveyor’s maps

Surveyor's map, Elko's quarter section on NE corner

Prior to 1993, I was able to get a copy of the old surveyor’s map for the area that Elko Kalynchuk homesteaded at. I published this image in my Kalynchuk Family History book in 1993. I remember that I was told not to publish where I got the map from because the organization was not in the position to handle lots of inquiries. At the time I was working for Alberta Agriculture so probably had some connections.

When I was in Chernivtsi, Western Ukraine in 2019, I went to the Bukovynian Diaspora Museum and seen a similar map on the wall there for the Ukrainian settlers from Bukovina, settling in the same area as Partemy Pawliuk. The Director of the museum was excited as I pointed to Partemy’s name on the map then told him which village in Ukraine he was from. So, I know that others have been available to access these surveyor maps too. This is another task on my to-do list, to locate the source and to get a copy of the surveyor map with Partemy’s homestead on it. If you know where one can get these maps from, please contact me.

At the bottom of the map it says, "Department of the Interior, Topographical Surveys Branch". And I found in my notes, "Field Books, compiled by the surveyors when they laid out the various survey systems. Also has considerable information on squatters and personal comments. Field books can often be found deposited with provincial Survey Branches or provincial archives."

Update:

I recently went to the Provincial Archives of Alberta and guess what, the surveyor maps have been donated to the PAA! In the reading room if you look to the side room that the microfilms and maps are, at the back wall are the blank surveyor maps. You check first by the range number then the township number. What is good about these maps that don't contain the homesteader's names etc. is that they show you the lay of the land: the rivers, swamps, lakes, coulees etc. Of course, you need to know the legal land description or at least the range and township for the ancestors and relatives you are checking on.

Now if you want to see the original surveyor maps with names on them then you have to grab a copy of the yellow PAA Request Slip and fill it out. The "Acc. No." is GR2004.214 for this collection and under "Description" list the township and range numbers only. Then fill in your name and date and put it in the holder on the reception desk.

When making copies of the maps, I used the touchless scanner to the right of the main door against the wall but I found that it brought in the image and cut off some of the beautiful red ribbon on the edge of the map. You can then save the image on a memory stick and it is saved as a PDF. 

I have also taken pictures with my mobile phone. Some of these maps seem to be made out of cloth and paper. It was so cool to be handling them. Many years ago, I received a black and white photocopy (see above image) and I can tell you that nothing equals seeing the original surveyor maps.

Historical Maps of Alberta

I enjoy collecting copies of old maps especially of the locations that my ancestors lived at.

Old maps of Alberta
https://www.oldmapsonline.org/en/Alberta

Historical Maps of Prairie Provinces, Before 1900
http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/canada/prairie_before%201900.html

Historical Maps of Prairie Provinces, After 1900
http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/canada/Prairie_after%201900.htm

Map Collection Resources – University of Alberta Library
https://guides.library.ualberta.ca/Map_Collection_Resources
Historical map resources: https://guides.library.ualberta.ca/c.php?g=733100&p=5269208