Introduction

The Saskatchewan Homestead Index is a file locator database to the homestead files at the Saskatchewan Archives. It contains 360,000 references to those men and women who, from 1872 to 1930, under the terms of the Dominion Lands Act, took part in the homestead process in the area now known as Saskatchewan. Also included are those who bought or sold North West Métis or South African scrip or received soldier grants after World War One.

The database may be searched by name, by land location or by additional remarks, for example, about name changes or the name of the legal representative should the applicant have died. Special grants, such as the Métis scrip can also be identified by searching the remarks field.

Search the Index

Using the file number found in the index, the researcher can access the original homestead file; this file may contain information about the settler such as nationality, place of origin and family makeup, although names of other family members are seldom given. There may also be various sworn statements and information about the homestead itself including required agricultural improvements on the land before ownership was granted; in some cases, correspondence about matters concerning the homestead may be included.

The original homestead files are among the holdings of the Saskatchewan Archives Board in Saskatoon; microfilm copies are held at the Saskatchewan Archives Board Regina office. Copies of the files are also available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and its Family History Centers world wide.

The Saskatchewan Homestead Index Project (SHIP)