Relinquishment

Not every homesteader proved up. When a claimant gave up the claim, it was a relinquishment, and the land returned to the government's control. Most relinquished claims were opened again, and new settlers often moved onto them for the house, well or cleared fields already there.

Because no patent was issued, the BLM's GLO Records website does not index these claims. The paperwork survives in cancelled land entry files at the National Archives.