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Research
Our Project
A once considered “unruly peninsula,” Florida’s transitions in governments during its early years, shaped the landscape of the region and has left some long-time unanswered questions regarding valid land ownership. Florida was handed off to the United States in 1821 and the new government agreed to honor valid Spanish Land Grants issued no later than January 24, 1818.
Many of these Spanish Land Grants filed by settlers in Florida, particularly those larger than one league square in area, were difficult and in some cases required several years to settle. For some, the litigation process is still underway.
These documents will help us organize and better understand what took place in these court cases and answer questions about the landscape of Florida during the 19th century. The land grant documents are part of a larger collection of historical documents relating to Florida and Key West. You can see some of the other items in the Key West Mile Markers collection at Mile Markers: Linking Keys History
What's the Importance?
By helping us transcribe these manuscripts, you will contribute to the clarification of documentation supporting Spanish Land Grants (land ownership) claims submitted to the government of the United States after the transition of Florida from Spain to the United States in the 19th century. Transcribing these manuscripts will help to identify when and why these cases occurred, and will also give you a thorough lesson on Florida's history.
After receiving your transcriptions, the goal is to document, archive, and share these papers for everyone's accessibility.
Curious to see what else we have archived?
Check our website: http://dpanther.fiu.edu
Thank you for all your support,
FIU Digital Collections Center