Early in my family research I discovered the importance of land documents. I discerned the maiden name of my great, great grandmother; however I did not recognize the name of her parents. In exploring her surname, I found a will and though it did not provide me the answer it gave a hint.
Searching more I found a mortgage deed in which two of the sons stated in the will was selling the land inherited from their father and the mortgage was for the gain of the children of their late brother. You can bet I was thrilled when I located that document.
Regularly it is hard to trace female relatives since of lack of a maiden name. In this instance I was fortunate enough to already discern the name to search for. Women were usually not permitted to own property therefore the land they inherited was in their husband’s name or that of a male relative. In a number of ways, that can be an aid in researching female ancestors.
Deed and Land Records
Land records can be a great genealogical source. Additional records utilized in combination with land records can assist in breaking through those brick walls. A number of causes to utilize land deeds are:
*The names of additional persons regularly found in land deeds may be friends, neighbors or still a different family member.
*Discovery a land deed traces a person in a particular area of the country at a certain time.
*You have two men in your family with similar names, therefore land deeds can assist to differentiate which is which. Wives have to let go their dower rights upon sale of land therefore it is not possible the two men will have wives with the similar name. In addition they most likely will not live in the same common area, even if in the similar county.
*One of the major assistance is when the deed shifts property left in a will. The entire children and their partners will be listed on that deed.
Property transfer records are regularly located at the Registrar of Deeds office in the local county courthouse. A range of land sales and transfers will be found in those books. A number of them are: Deed of Sale (the most regular), Deed of Gift, Lease & Release, Mortgage Sale, and Estate Settlement.
Will and Probate Records
Wills and Probate Records are gold mines when doing genealogy research. Normally wills list heirs by name, validating relationships. The additional part of this is the Probate Records. Nearly all estates went through probate and, if nothing in addition, a gaze at the history of the times is located in the probate records.
A small number of the regular terms utilized in wills are:
*Administrator: The person who distributes the assets between the heirs.
*Beneficiaries: The persons mentioned in the will.
*Executor: The person named by the testator to fulfill the requirements of the will.
*Intestate estate: this is when an individual passes away without a will.
*Testate estate: when the person dies with a will.
*Witnesses: The persons who sign the will affirming that it is the true testament of the testator.
All of these people will have some kind of relationship to the late person therefore make note of them.
Old wills are enjoyable to read. Several diverse items of personal possessions were incorporated in a will as well as slaves, silver spoons, quilts, horses, cows, and even books. All were prized property in the days of our ancestors.
When exploring the probate files at the courthouse, you may discover additional items for example, petitions for probate, guardian bonds, appraisals, notice to heirs, notice to creditors, inventory lists, probate sales, settlement papers and additional varied papers. Look at all cautiously as one slight scrap of paper may turn up an important hint.
Before 1850, when the census records started to list the names of household people, deeds, will and probate records may be the only way to locate the family of your ancestors. At the slightest, they are remarkable documents.