Microfilm from the Alberta Homestead Records 1870-1930 series are now on the Internet Archive. There is less than 2% of the 686 microfilm reels in the series, but you may be lucky.
According to the Alberta Genealogical Society, Homestead files normally contain:
- An application for homestead, containing the applicant’s name, age, birthplace, last residence, prior occupation, number of adults and children in household.
- An application for patent, containing name, age, occupation, post office, nationality, residency information, wife/children (no names), breaking/cropping, livestock, buildings, fencing.
- A notice that patent (title) has been issued.
The AGS have an index to the files freely available to search by name at https://www.abgenealogy.ca/alberta-homestead-index where you can find the reel you need to find your ancestor.
All reels are in the series 70.313; those on the Internet Archive are #: 2083, 2084, 2087-2095 and 2830-2837.
You can order the files through the Alberta Genealogical Society or visit the Provincial Archives in Edmonton and look at your microfilm reel number.