beads of families or individuals

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

The Homestead Act of 1862 gave beads of families or individuals aged twenty-one or older the right to own 160 acres of public land in the western United States after five years of residence and improvement.
Does “bead” here mean “many”?
And I would like to know why it is “beads of families or individuals” not "bead of families or individuals. Is it a set expression?

2

I suspect it is a typo and should read ‘… gave heads of families…’

3

Thanks ! I have just searched the sentence above with “beads” and “heads”.
I am surprised that there are too many mistaken versions.
"The Homestead Act of 1862 gave beads of families or individuals ": About 477 results (0.12 seconds)
"The Homestead Act of 1862 gave heads of families or individuals ": 10 results (0.12 seconds)

4

If you look at the actual sites that Google links to, you will find many that “borrow” heavily from Wikipedia, which is quite legal, but Wikipedia doesn’t claim to be a reliable source of information.

You’d be surprised what stuff is available online. The original Homestead Act of 1862 is in that category, and although it’s fairly difficult to read, there is also a transcript available at ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?fla … transcript

5

Thank you, Steve!