I am currently working on Mining Genealogy History in Kansas Presentation. The presentation will not be given until the end of January 2011 in Chula Vista, California. I am starting now on my presentation because I want to get my ideals, outline done while everything is still fresh in my brain. There are many incidents of the Kansas genealogy research trip to share about the step by step process of how, why and what I discovered for my genealogy research.
One of the correlations I hope to compare in my presentation as how Genealogy enhanced my understanding of "The story of my Family". And The Story of my Family enhanced and provided clues to my genealogy study.
This correlation of Family History and Genealogy has been a major theme in The Chula Vista Genealogical Society teaching program in 2010. The program started this year leaning heavily on the recent television series "Who Do You Think You Are?"
Susi Pentico began the program with an April 2010 presentation with "The Laundry Basket Methodology". Whereas you just look around a relatives home and ask questions of family photos, furniture handed down from a previous generation, etc. The concept is you gather these photos, knick knacks, trophies in a laundry basket and then ask questions of the items.
The program continued with a full day of Jean Hibben's presentations; "Where do We go from Here?". At these presentations Jean explained taking the data and moving to recording the data electronically, "This is not Your Grandma's Genealogy: Making the Move from Paper to Electronic Record Keeping*
" and then some more tips of verifying and validating "the family Stories" with Graveyard Gumshoe: Lessons Written in Stone and Deliveries in the Rear! Getting Family History Information through the Back Door
Building on this theme; The Kansas Trip will show excellent examples of family history and genealogy interweaving.
An example of this was the social section of the town newspaper. Evidently my great grandmother and her daughters were quite the "ladies" of Hutchinson, Kansas. Anytime these ladies went on a trip or entertained company, there was a mention in the city newspaper. This was a great find and lots of fun to read. Besides being entertaining, these newspaper articles included clues to family information not previously known. An example of this was; I knew Cecil Melinda had a sister Bertie Elizabeth and a brother Hugh Napolean, but the newspaper mentioned a sister visiting Cecil by the name of Laura Mangle. AH HAH a new bit of information!!! A new sister to research...... my goodness -- this will never never end.......
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Old Photos
Everyone is collecting old photos. It is so exciting for me when a researcher exclaims "I received a box of old photos from a cousin". Or "while helping my mom clean a back room, I found a box of old photos."
Now I did not want to title my blog
Because there are dozens of articles with that title; A recent article at
http://www.onegreatfamily.com/Home.aspx?PID=10000&CID=102&HID=221 (see article below)
does a very good job at introducing the idea but I think there can be some tips added to the article.
Chula Vista Genealogical Society President Gary Brock advices when obtaining a very large box of mixed photos, first make piles of like-photos.
Photos with the same Portrait Studio name, City, etc.
Photos enclosed in cardboard folders with the name of the studio possibly printed on the folder.
Prints with the same edging, some of the 30s-50s photos have scalloped edges.
Group like-scalloping with like- scalloping.
Weight and color of photo. Not only dating the photo as explained in the article. But sorting like-paper weight/color, can help you sort part of the country, family members etc.
Look for Commercial names on objects. I have a photo of a cowboy in one of those long overcoats, cowboy hat, boots and spurs, I am trying to identify who he is. There is a horse drawn wagon in the photo. The wagon has a commercial name painted along the side of the wagon. My plan is to look up that commercial name, find out what years, location, type of business was conducted with their wagons. With this data I will try to narrow my research to families leaving in the area during the time of that commercial companies business.
The cowboy photo was found along with photos from the Reed/Chapin lineage. A baby picture of John Paul Reed was amongst the photos.
Article from onegreatfamily
How To Date Old Family Photographs
Basic Techniques Of Dating Pictures
Great-Grandma's family collection of antique pictures can be a treasure trove for you, the genealogy researcher, especially if you can establish when an antique picture was taken.
Dating a photograph can help you identify the subject(s) (in early photography the subjects were referred to as sitters) and can provide additional information as you piece together your family tree.
There are some basic techniques to begin the process of dating an antique picture:
What is the print made of? Is the image printed on metal, glass, card stock, or paper? Daguerreotype (early tintypes) and ambrotypes (printed on glass) were often mounted in double wooden frames that opened like a book. These were the most common types of early photographs and date back to around 1839. By 1870, almost all antique pictures were printed on heavy paper or card stock. The heavier stock was much more common in early photographs; by the 1930s even studio portraits were printed on thin paper.
Is the antique picture printed in black and white or color? Some images were being hand-tinted as early as the 1850s. Although color still photography was introduced in 1906, it was an expensive process that only professionals could afford to use. Color antique pictures did not become common for home use until the late 1950's and early 1960's.
How are the people in the photograph posed? Very early antique pictures showed people in rigid poses and usually without smiles, partly because exposure times could be as long as twenty seconds. Many portrait photographers even used braces to help sitters stay in position during the process. Candid pictures and then snapshots became more common in the 1920s.
How are the sitters dressed? The straight tunic dresses and bobbed hair of the 1920's are easy to distinguish from the cinched waists and luxuriant chignons of the late 1890's.
What other objects are visible in the antique picture? A Model T car is absolute proof that the picture was not taken before 1908. Furniture, toys, brands names, logos - all these things can provide clues, and thus, invaluable assistance in identifying previously unidentified photographs.
Additional information on dating family antique pictures is available from a list of links.
Tracing a family resemblance through the generations with antique pictures can give you a warm sense of connection to your family's past.
Store your pictures and other media on line- it's a safe place to keep your treasures
Now I did not want to title my blog
How To Date Old Photographs
Because there are dozens of articles with that title; A recent article at
http://www.onegreatfamily.com/Home.aspx?PID=10000&CID=102&HID=221 (see article below)
does a very good job at introducing the idea but I think there can be some tips added to the article.
Chula Vista Genealogical Society President Gary Brock advices when obtaining a very large box of mixed photos, first make piles of like-photos.
Photos with the same Portrait Studio name, City, etc.
Photos enclosed in cardboard folders with the name of the studio possibly printed on the folder.
Prints with the same edging, some of the 30s-50s photos have scalloped edges.
Group like-scalloping with like- scalloping.
Weight and color of photo. Not only dating the photo as explained in the article. But sorting like-paper weight/color, can help you sort part of the country, family members etc.
Look for Commercial names on objects. I have a photo of a cowboy in one of those long overcoats, cowboy hat, boots and spurs, I am trying to identify who he is. There is a horse drawn wagon in the photo. The wagon has a commercial name painted along the side of the wagon. My plan is to look up that commercial name, find out what years, location, type of business was conducted with their wagons. With this data I will try to narrow my research to families leaving in the area during the time of that commercial companies business.
The cowboy photo was found along with photos from the Reed/Chapin lineage. A baby picture of John Paul Reed was amongst the photos.
Article from onegreatfamily
How To Date Old Family Photographs
Basic Techniques Of Dating Pictures
Great-Grandma's family collection of antique pictures can be a treasure trove for you, the genealogy researcher, especially if you can establish when an antique picture was taken.
Dating a photograph can help you identify the subject(s) (in early photography the subjects were referred to as sitters) and can provide additional information as you piece together your family tree.
There are some basic techniques to begin the process of dating an antique picture:
What is the print made of? Is the image printed on metal, glass, card stock, or paper? Daguerreotype (early tintypes) and ambrotypes (printed on glass) were often mounted in double wooden frames that opened like a book. These were the most common types of early photographs and date back to around 1839. By 1870, almost all antique pictures were printed on heavy paper or card stock. The heavier stock was much more common in early photographs; by the 1930s even studio portraits were printed on thin paper.
Is the antique picture printed in black and white or color? Some images were being hand-tinted as early as the 1850s. Although color still photography was introduced in 1906, it was an expensive process that only professionals could afford to use. Color antique pictures did not become common for home use until the late 1950's and early 1960's.
How are the people in the photograph posed? Very early antique pictures showed people in rigid poses and usually without smiles, partly because exposure times could be as long as twenty seconds. Many portrait photographers even used braces to help sitters stay in position during the process. Candid pictures and then snapshots became more common in the 1920s.
How are the sitters dressed? The straight tunic dresses and bobbed hair of the 1920's are easy to distinguish from the cinched waists and luxuriant chignons of the late 1890's.
What other objects are visible in the antique picture? A Model T car is absolute proof that the picture was not taken before 1908. Furniture, toys, brands names, logos - all these things can provide clues, and thus, invaluable assistance in identifying previously unidentified photographs.
Additional information on dating family antique pictures is available from a list of links.
Tracing a family resemblance through the generations with antique pictures can give you a warm sense of connection to your family's past.
Store your pictures and other media on line- it's a safe place to keep your treasures
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Italian Genealogy Chat hosted by Debra Clifford. Next week Hank Jones!
Deano; Tonight I attended an ITALIAN genealogy chat TODAY 8-9PM EDT. 10/6/10
Location:chat room, top blue tab...
Time:8:00PM Wednesday, October 6th
It was held in Ancestorville and truly not a bad trip at all. Having just finished a 22 day genealogy trip, this trip was a lot cheaper and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight@!!!
The chat was Hosted by: Debra Clifford the historian for Ancestorville (I am still having problems with relating to virtual towns, farms and such as being real)
The Pathway to Ancestorville is through the website of
Ancestorville Genealogy
The Italian chat this evening 8-9PM EDT, followed Ancestorville's theme this week on all things Italy, including some of the ancestor's Italian food recipes?! ..mmm! facebook announced changes today that Debra is hoping will be positive for their little town..Debra always has the welcome mat out to new members, to post their brick walls and genealogy links.
Dean; I attended tonight listening for data on your family interested in Italian immigrants from the late 1880 to 1920s. While listening to the chats; it was interesting to hear names of ships I have done research on involving your family. I will post your families surnames on the links and hopefully we can make a link.
Hank Jones, myself and fellow CVGS Genealogist Jaye Wight
Everyone is invited to these chats and they are well attended.
Website:http://ancestorville.com
http://vintageposterworks.comCompany Overview:Debra Clifford is an antiques dealer who buys historical material, manuscripts, antique documents, ephemera and paper, family bibles, etc. Her biggest passion and interest is early 19th c. photography. Ancestorville is her passion, and this facebook page is a business page dedicated to combining genealogy antiques, American history, sharing, and ephemera. She also owns Vintage Poster Works at: http://www.vintageposterworks.com
Ancestorville has 13,567 surnames and over 5,000 identified lost family photos photographs and antique vintage ephemera for sale, as well as the ability to purchase scans of the material.
ABOUT DEBRA:
http://www.ancestorville.com/pages/about-us
CONTACT DEBRA
http://www.ancestorville.com/pages/contact-us
or leave a voice mail message anytime at:
Phone (845) 704 7506
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DebraClifford
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE ALL ANCESTORS:
http://www.ancestorville.com/collections/all
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (read less)
Debra Clifford is an antiques dealer who buys historical material, manuscripts, antique documents, ephemera and paper, family bibles, etc. Her biggest passion and interest is early 19th c. photography. Ancestorville is her passion, and this facebook page is a business page dedicated to combining genealogy antiques, American history, sharing, and ephemera. She also owns Vintage Poster Works at: http://www.vintageposterworks.com
Ancestorville has 13,567 surnames and over 5,000 identified lost... (read more)Mission:Reunions! Genealogy, Family History, town hall forum, history sharing in general, combining antique and vintage photo knowledge with genealogy. Teaching and sharing together. Helping others with genealogy work...
Please see top blue tab for all info at Aville: CHAT, TOWN HALL, EVENTS, LINKS, PHOTOS, VIDEOS.
CHAT ROOM:
http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville?v=app_100626246643948
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OUR TOWN HALL FORUM
http://ancestorville.vanillaforums.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Products:19th c. Ephemera, Antique Paper, Genealogy: CDV photographs, cabinet card photos, rewards of merit, antique documents, deeds, family bibles, dry mount photos, RPPC real photo postcards, letters, diaries.
A list of all of our Articles to read:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19TH c. VICTORIAN NICKNAMES:
FEMALE:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610592-victorian-nicknames-girls
MALE:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610582-victorian-nicknames-boys
~~~~~~~~~~ARTICLES TO READ~~~~~~~~~~~
ANTIQUE ADVERTISING TRADE CARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619312-advertising-trading-cards
----------
AMBROTYPE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619242-ambrotype-photographs
-----------
ANCESTRAL MIGRATION
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619222-ancestral-migration
-----------
CABINET CARD PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618812-cabinet-card-photos
-----------
CDV CARTE DE VISITE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618562-carte-de-visite-photographs
-----------
EPHEMERA: WHAT WE SELL PAGE 1
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618312-what-we-sell-at-ancestorville
------------
EPHEMERA: WHAT WE SELL PAGE 2
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616402-what-we-sell-at-ancestorville-page-2
------------
RPPC REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616302-real-photo-postcards
-------------
VICTORIAN REWARDS OF MERITS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616272-rewards-of-merit
--------------
VINTAGE SNAPSHOT PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1614652-snapshot-photographs
---------------
STEREOVIEW PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610882-stereoview-photographs
----------------
TINTYPE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610612-tintype-photographs
----------------
VICTORIAN CALLING CARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610602-victorian-calling-cards
----------------
AND:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FACEBOOK CHAT ROOM:
http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville?v=app_100626246643948
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ancestorville town hall meeting!
OUR FORUM
http://ancestorville.vanillaforums.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville
Location:chat room, top blue tab...
Time:8:00PM Wednesday, October 6th
It was held in Ancestorville and truly not a bad trip at all. Having just finished a 22 day genealogy trip, this trip was a lot cheaper and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight@!!!
The chat was Hosted by: Debra Clifford the historian for Ancestorville (I am still having problems with relating to virtual towns, farms and such as being real)
The Pathway to Ancestorville is through the website of
Ancestorville Genealogy
The Italian chat this evening 8-9PM EDT, followed Ancestorville's theme this week on all things Italy, including some of the ancestor's Italian food recipes?! ..mmm! facebook announced changes today that Debra is hoping will be positive for their little town..Debra always has the welcome mat out to new members, to post their brick walls and genealogy links.
Dean; I attended tonight listening for data on your family interested in Italian immigrants from the late 1880 to 1920s. While listening to the chats; it was interesting to hear names of ships I have done research on involving your family. I will post your families surnames on the links and hopefully we can make a link.
Next week: Debra Clifford is hosting a "chat" about;
Wednesday, October 13
Ancestorville Book Club: PSYCHIC ROOTS by Henry Z. Jones
Where: chat link on top blue tab
When: Wednesday, October 13 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Hank Jones, myself and fellow CVGS Genealogist Jaye Wight
Everyone is invited to these chats and they are well attended.
Also you might want to visit Debra's town because calling it an attic would just not be accurate enough.
Website:http://ancestorville.com
http://vintageposterworks.comCompany Overview:Debra Clifford is an antiques dealer who buys historical material, manuscripts, antique documents, ephemera and paper, family bibles, etc. Her biggest passion and interest is early 19th c. photography. Ancestorville is her passion, and this facebook page is a business page dedicated to combining genealogy antiques, American history, sharing, and ephemera. She also owns Vintage Poster Works at: http://www.vintageposterworks.com
Ancestorville has 13,567 surnames and over 5,000 identified lost family photos photographs and antique vintage ephemera for sale, as well as the ability to purchase scans of the material.
ABOUT DEBRA:
http://www.ancestorville.com/pages/about-us
CONTACT DEBRA
http://www.ancestorville.com/pages/contact-us
or leave a voice mail message anytime at:
Phone (845) 704 7506
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DebraClifford
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE ALL ANCESTORS:
http://www.ancestorville.com/collections/all
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (read less)
Debra Clifford is an antiques dealer who buys historical material, manuscripts, antique documents, ephemera and paper, family bibles, etc. Her biggest passion and interest is early 19th c. photography. Ancestorville is her passion, and this facebook page is a business page dedicated to combining genealogy antiques, American history, sharing, and ephemera. She also owns Vintage Poster Works at: http://www.vintageposterworks.com
Ancestorville has 13,567 surnames and over 5,000 identified lost... (read more)Mission:Reunions! Genealogy, Family History, town hall forum, history sharing in general, combining antique and vintage photo knowledge with genealogy. Teaching and sharing together. Helping others with genealogy work...
Please see top blue tab for all info at Aville: CHAT, TOWN HALL, EVENTS, LINKS, PHOTOS, VIDEOS.
CHAT ROOM:
http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville?v=app_100626246643948
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OUR TOWN HALL FORUM
http://ancestorville.vanillaforums.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Products:19th c. Ephemera, Antique Paper, Genealogy: CDV photographs, cabinet card photos, rewards of merit, antique documents, deeds, family bibles, dry mount photos, RPPC real photo postcards, letters, diaries.
A list of all of our Articles to read:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19TH c. VICTORIAN NICKNAMES:
FEMALE:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610592-victorian-nicknames-girls
MALE:
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610582-victorian-nicknames-boys
~~~~~~~~~~ARTICLES TO READ~~~~~~~~~~~
ANTIQUE ADVERTISING TRADE CARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619312-advertising-trading-cards
----------
AMBROTYPE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619242-ambrotype-photographs
-----------
ANCESTRAL MIGRATION
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1619222-ancestral-migration
-----------
CABINET CARD PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618812-cabinet-card-photos
-----------
CDV CARTE DE VISITE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618562-carte-de-visite-photographs
-----------
EPHEMERA: WHAT WE SELL PAGE 1
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1618312-what-we-sell-at-ancestorville
------------
EPHEMERA: WHAT WE SELL PAGE 2
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616402-what-we-sell-at-ancestorville-page-2
------------
RPPC REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616302-real-photo-postcards
-------------
VICTORIAN REWARDS OF MERITS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1616272-rewards-of-merit
--------------
VINTAGE SNAPSHOT PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1614652-snapshot-photographs
---------------
STEREOVIEW PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610882-stereoview-photographs
----------------
TINTYPE PHOTOS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610612-tintype-photographs
----------------
VICTORIAN CALLING CARDS
http://www.ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/1610602-victorian-calling-cards
----------------
AND:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FACEBOOK CHAT ROOM:
http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville?v=app_100626246643948
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ancestorville town hall meeting!
OUR FORUM
http://ancestorville.vanillaforums.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/Ancestorville
Monday, October 4, 2010
The difference in Family History and Genealogy
In this blog I will explain what I surmised to be the difference in family history and genealogy. This definitions come from the words themselves. Genealogy; "Gene" and study of; "ology". Therefore this is the study of genetics, ergo the charts being labeled as "pedigree charts". More the DNA composition of a person that makes you uniquely you--- in genetics.
Then the "family history" the word "Family" and the word hi "STORY". George Geder recently observed that he had difficulties with genealogy software explaining "family histories", Multiple marriages, step brothers and sisters, same sex marriages etc. There are also those numerous GOD parents, and "Aunts" and "Uncles" who were just close friends and at every holiday gathering. And of course our beloved pets, houses we lived in, influential and essential teachers and church families who again made us uniquely us --- environmentally.
Car racing is a part of my Family History, I am finding writing about the races and my families participation in auto racing to be good family attention bait. One nephew already printed and framed my blog on Wild Bill.
Interesting observation -- someone mentioned my write ups on this subject as "excellent work on family history". So I reflected what could be the difference between genealogy and family history?
And this what I concluded (for the time being, until I change my mind.
Family History is stories of your family. Genealogy follows the "genes" of that family. Therefore whereas Car Racing can and is categorized a "Family History" the fact that my father's IRISH gene of being a little (cough cough) hard headed and contrite is the Genealogy of the sharing of these "WILD BILL" newspaper clippings.
Then the "family history" the word "Family" and the word hi "STORY". George Geder recently observed that he had difficulties with genealogy software explaining "family histories", Multiple marriages, step brothers and sisters, same sex marriages etc. There are also those numerous GOD parents, and "Aunts" and "Uncles" who were just close friends and at every holiday gathering. And of course our beloved pets, houses we lived in, influential and essential teachers and church families who again made us uniquely us --- environmentally.
Car racing is a part of my Family History, I am finding writing about the races and my families participation in auto racing to be good family attention bait. One nephew already printed and framed my blog on Wild Bill.
Interesting observation -- someone mentioned my write ups on this subject as "excellent work on family history". So I reflected what could be the difference between genealogy and family history?
And this what I concluded (for the time being, until I change my mind.
Family History is stories of your family. Genealogy follows the "genes" of that family. Therefore whereas Car Racing can and is categorized a "Family History" the fact that my father's IRISH gene of being a little (cough cough) hard headed and contrite is the Genealogy of the sharing of these "WILD BILL" newspaper clippings.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Off to the SALT MINES
Aunt Helen met with me in Hutchinson, Kansas. Together we are piecing together more of our Great Grandfather's John Christopher Hayley's life. Before 1917 and past 1925 he lived, worked, owned property in Hutchinson, Kansas. Grandpa Claude (his son, your great grandfather) and Grandma May Hayley were married in his house in 1923.
A
Although many of the records are on microfilm, some of the older records are being stored in the salt mines of Hutchinson Kansas.
The salt mine is located 650 feet underground in Hutchinson, Kansas. The storage building covers 26 acres in area, with the mine itself being many times larger. The natural environment of the mine provides controlled year-round temperature and humidity, ideal for the preservation of paper and film.
Custom designed private storage is available such as the private vault. All records are accessible through the efficient records system used to catalog the files. Custom designed private storage is available such as the private vault. All records are accessible through the efficient records system used to catalog the files.Underground storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri and Kentucky offer depth protection from natural disaster and theft, as well as naturally cool and dry climates well suited for long term archiving.
I will be visiting the salt mines on Monday September 20,2010. I am gathering data for a fellow genealogist from Chula Vista, California. Her grandfather was in a fatal accident in 1939. The court records involved in that case are in the salt mines.
A
Although many of the records are on microfilm, some of the older records are being stored in the salt mines of Hutchinson Kansas.
The salt mine is located 650 feet underground in Hutchinson, Kansas. The storage building covers 26 acres in area, with the mine itself being many times larger. The natural environment of the mine provides controlled year-round temperature and humidity, ideal for the preservation of paper and film.
For example, Hollywood uses the mine for the storage of the negatives of everything from the Wizard of Oz to Doogie Howser, M.D.
Custom designed private storage is available such as the private vault. All records are accessible through the efficient records system used to catalog the files. Custom designed private storage is available such as the private vault. All records are accessible through the efficient records system used to catalog the files.Underground storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri and Kentucky offer depth protection from natural disaster and theft, as well as naturally cool and dry climates well suited for long term archiving.
The salt mine facility in Hutchinson, Kansas is widely regarded as one of the largest and most secure facilities in the world.Buried 650 ft deep within a 400 ft thick salt formation, miles from any flood plains or seismic activity, it is protected from natural disaster. Major metropolitan areas, military installations, and national borders
I will be visiting the salt mines on Monday September 20,2010. I am gathering data for a fellow genealogist from Chula Vista, California. Her grandfather was in a fatal accident in 1939. The court records involved in that case are in the salt mines.
By offering to retrieve these records, I gained the knowledge of this unique and very important part of record keeping in America.
While Exploring Land Deeds in Hutchinson, Kansas......
Well, the learning never ends, ........ more terminology, laws to learn. As mentioned by so many Genealogy is a fascinating study because it truly exposes person to many different faucets of life. And you constantly are learning.......maybe it is why many "old dogs" like this type of study because we are attempting to prove we can learn "new tricks".
Ergo while exploring land deeds I came across Legal Terms in Land Records that I needed to look up.
Myrna Goodwin of CVGS gave an excellent class on Land Deeds and explained how we needed to be prepared and use the proper terminology when approaching record keepers at county/state facilities. Myrna's contention was that the more you came prepared to do your research and "help" yourself; the more likely to obtain your data
Myrna in her presentation reviewed a couple "key words" including but not limited to:
Grant - Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
Grantee - The person receiving a grant, or buying property.
Grantor - The person issuing the grant, or selling property.
Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
Deed - A document giving the holder the title to property. More generally, any document sealing an agreement, contract, etc.
Obviously we can always learn more and more ..........
The list would look like the one available at
http://www.directlinesoftware.com/legal.htm
The words in bold below were terms I needed to review. One of my issues was the handwriting or space allowed to write the data made the words illegible. But I feel confident that et al and et ux are the only suffixes to these names even if does look like elal, etuxe, etale etc. I thought these were different terminology!
Accession - Adding on. In civil law, the right to all that one's property produces, not just the property itself.
Adminstrator(m)/administratrix(f) - A person appointed by the court to settle the estate of someone who died intestate.
Admit - see Copyhold.
Ad quod damnum - A writ causing an evaluation of damages that might result from someone's actions. Example: you wish to dam a creek on your land to power a mill. The pond may damage another's land.
Adverse Possession - Gaining title to another's land by exercising the rights of ownership of that land unchallenged for a period of time, typically on the order of five to ten years, and meeting other requirements (as set by each state). See seizin.
Alien - To transfer (lands, title) to another.
Alienation - A transfer of title or property to another.
Allodial - see alodium
Alodium - Land owned independently, without rent or other obligation to another. See Freehold Estate. The alodial (also 'allodial') system is opposed to the feudal system.
Appurtenances - Easements, rights of way, or agreements attached to land.
Assignee - See assigns. Often seen in conjunction with land warrants which were assigned (sold) to speculators.
Assigns - Anyone acting on behalf of or in place of the nominal owner. The owner may have transferred or sold his rights to someone else or appointed an attorney to act on his behalf.
At will - Terminable by the lord of the manor at any time.
Bargain - Mutual agreement among two or more people to exchange or purchase goods.
Bargain and Sale Deed - A type of deed in which title is transfered but in which there is usually no guarantee as to the validity of title.
Bequest - A gift of personal property made in a will. See also devise.
Bond for Deed/Title - A promise to convey land when paid at some point in the future.
Burgage - A tenure in which burgesses or townsfolk held lands or tenements of the lord, usually for a fixed rent. In Scotland the term related to tenure in property in the royal burghs.
Cadastral Map - Land ownership map. Generally used for tax purposes.
Caution - In the U.K., Canada, and elsewhere, a restriction on disposition of property by the registered owner, placed by a person who claims a right on the property in question.
Cesser - Failure of a tenant who holds land in return for services to perform those services.
Chattel - A tangible, movable article of personal property, as opposed to real property.
Claim - see Entry.
Collateral - Property put up by someone getting a loan. If they fail to repay the loan, the collateral goes to the person granting the loan.
Color of Title - A deed appearing to convey title but in fact not conveying title, either because the grantor did not have title to convey or because the conveyance was flawed in some way.
Condemn - The taking of privately owned land for public use by eminent domain. In the U.S. just compensation must be provided for any lands thus taken.
Consideration - The money (or other property) used to purchase land.
Convey - To transfer property or the title to property from one person to another.
Copyhold - A tenancy at will that was recorded in a manorial court ownership roll. The lord of the manor maintained the list. Copyholds were not, strictly speaking, inheritable, but were customarily so. The land reverted to the landowner who would then "admit" the heir to the lands of the decedent.
Covenant - A stipulation. A promise to do or not do something.
Customary Estate - see copyhold
Decedent - one who has died.
Deed - A document giving the holder the title to property. More generally, any document sealing an agreement, contract, etc. The most common types of deeds Bargain and Sale, Quitclaim, and Warranty.
Deed of trust - A transfer of property to someone to be held in trust for another. See trust. More specifically, however, deeds of trust are used in a number of states instead of a mortgage to secure a loan. The deed of trust names the trustees in whom title is placed as security against failure to meet the terms of the loan.
Deed poll - A deed not indented, that is, a deed made by one party only. See indenture.
Deforce - To forcibly withhold property from its rightful owner.
Demesne - 1) Possession of land as one's own. 2) The part of an estate worked for the owner. 3) Land adjoining the manor house.
Demise - Generally a synonym for 'lease', both noun and verb.
Devise - A gift of real property made in a will. See also bequest.
Dower - A wife's interest in her husband's property, inheritable at his death. English probate law set this at 1/3. "Her thirds" was a phrase used for this. In the U.S. it was common for a woman to formally relinquish her dower claim on land sold by the husband. This further guaranteed that the property was clear of all obligations. In some areas the lack of a dower relinquishment at the time of sale was proof that the man was single or widowed. See also jointure.
Easement - Use of a portion of property for some stated purpose without remuneration. Easements are not estates in that they do not convey ownership, but rather the use of the property in so far as needed for the stated purpose. An example is the easement a city may have to dig up part of your land to repair the water main. Easement is a right. Contrast with servitude.
Ejectment - A suit by an owner to reclaim ownership from a tenant who has overstayed the terms of a lease. Originally it was a suit brought by a fictitious tenant to try the title of the landlord in order to acquire the land under lease.
Emolument - Profit derived from employment or labor, including wages and other compensation.
Encroachment - To gain unlawfully or infringe on the property of another.
Encumbrance - A burden on a property, generally one that affects the ability to transfer title, or one which affects the condition of the property. Examples are liens, mortgages, taxes, easements, water rights, etc.
Enfeoff - To invest with an estate held in fee.
Enfeoffment - Giving ownership in fee. A deed or legal document giving ownership in fee.
Entail - To create a fee tail, or to create one from fee simple.
Entry - Filing of the intention to get a land grant or patent. This was the first step of a multi-step process of getting land, the other steps generally being Survey, and Grant.
Escheat - Land ownership reverting to the Crown, government, or estate owner because of a lack of heirs or breach of condition to ownership. See also forfeiture.
Esse - In esse (Latin). In existence. See also posse.
Estate - A property right held by someone. There can be many estates held on a single piece of property, for example, relating to specific uses of the property. Mineral rights, water rights, and so on are examples. Estates can be subordinate (lower in rank) to other estates.
Et al - Latin et alia, for "and others".
Et ux - Latin et uxor, for "and wife".
Exception - A clause in a deed whereby the seller retains some right currently held on the land being sold, for example, "my land except 3 acres...", "my land except mineral rights...". In both cases the seller owned the thing being excepted. See also Reservation.
Exception and Reservation - A general term found in deeds when a seller retains some kind of interest in the property. Technically the language should refer to a reservation or exception as needed but many deeds are written with this catchall phrase.
Executor/executrix - The person named in a will to carry out the terms of the will. See administrator.
Fee - Heritable land held in return for service to a lord.
Fee simple - Ownership of land that can be inherited by any heirs. To hold in fee means to possess.
Fee tail - Ownership of land restricted to a specified class of heirs, generally direct descendants.
Fem Covert - A married woman.
Feoff - See fee
Feoffment - Transfer of inheritable real property.
Feoffee - One who benefits from a fief.
Feud - See fee.
Feudal system - The system of land holding in exchange for service, ultimately to the king. This is opposed to the alodial system.
Fief - See fee.
Fieri Facias - A common law writ to enforce collection of a debt. Typically executed by the sheriff, the property of the debtor is sold to satisfy the claim.
Forfeiture - Loss of property for failure to obey the law, or reversion of title to the sovereign because of default or an offense. It can be applied to any part of an interest of ownership. See also escheat.
Freehold - see fee simple
Grant - Transfer of title from the government to the first titleholder of a piece of property. This term is generally used by states and the federal government. See also patent.
Grantee - The person receiving a grant, or buying property.
Grantor - The person issuing the grant, or selling property.
Headright - A Virginia sytem of land patents, prevalent in the 1600's in which immigrants, including minor children, were entitled to 50 acres of land apiece. It was customary for the person paying passage to claim the headright, though the right appears to belong to the immigrant. Headrights could be sold or assigned to others. A headright system was also used in other states including South Carolina and Georgia.
Hereditament - Anything that can be inherited. A corporeal hereditament is tangible real or personal property that can be inherited. An incorporeal hereditament includes intagible appurtenances, rents, and the like.
Importation right - See headright.
Improve - To make land more valuable by clearing and planting. Land that was not improved by the owner might revert to the government.
In capite - Latin - An estate in land held by direct grant of the king.
Incumbrance - See encumbrance.
Indefeasible Estate - An estate that cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Indenture - A written agreement. (Originally, the document was written in duplicate, and the two copies placed side by side and 'indented', or cut, with a wavy line so they fit together perfectly.) See also deed poll.
Ingress and Egress - The entering and leaving of land and the means of doing so.
In personam - Latin - A legal action against a person.
In rem - Latin - A legal action to affect the interests of people in a thing such as a parcel of land. Examples would be partitioning an estate or foreclosing. See also in personam.
Intangible property - The opposite of tangible property. Examples are property rights, easements, copyrights and other things of value that have no physical presence. Also, certificates or other items that have no inherent value but which represent something physical.
Intestate - Having no will. If someone dies intestate, the court appoints an administrator to settle the estate.
Instrument - Legal document.
Investiture - See livery of seizin.
Joint tenancy - Ownership by two or more people, with rights of survivorship. Tenants can act individually to partition or sell their interest in the property, but such actions create a tenancy in common. See also tenancy by the entirety.
Jointure - Property given to a prospective wife, to be enjoyed by her at her husband's death. Differs from dower in the way in which her future is protected.
Lease and Release - A practice in early Virginia that is equivalent to a sale. It was accomplished by a two step process of leasing the property in question to the buyer, then releasing the buyer of the lease obligation.
License - A personal privilege or permission to make some use of land owned by another.
Lien - A charge or claim upon someone's property as security for a debt. A lien does not confer title. The law recognizes the right to have a debt satisfied out of someone's property.
Life(time) Estate - An estate with duration limited to the lifetime of the holder or some other person. See remainder.
Livery - Delivery of ownership.
Livery of Seizin - An open and 'notorious' public ceremony conferring ownership of a freehold estate.
Locator - A person who determines or establishes the boundaries of land or a mining claim.
Messuage - A dwelling house with its adjacent buildings and lands appropriated to the use of the household.
Moiety - One half. One of two equal parts. A share or portion.
More or less - This term is frequently used in deeds to qualify acreage, e.g. "50 acres, being the same more or less". Even accurate surveys have some error in the calculation of area and this phrase recognizes that fact.
Mortgage - Today we think of this as a secured loan (for example, a loan with a house as collateral). In older times it was often written as a regular deed of sale with a condition attached such that the sale was void if certain payments are made by a certain date. With a mortgage, if the borrower fails to pay the mortgage note off, the mortgagor must successfully sue in order to sell the property and recover the loan. See deed of trust for a different way of establishing security for a loan.
Mutation - In India, the process of legally changing a parcel's owner. It results in an updated RTC (Record of Right Tenancy and Cultivation), the backbone of the Indian land record system.
Parcel - A piece of land. A tract.
Patent - Transfer of title from the government to the first titleholder of a piece of property. This term was generally used by the Crown or its representative. See also grant.
Payoff Deed - In Arizona and perhaps elsewhere, a deed of ownership issued when seller receives full payment under the terms of a deed of trust or agreement of sale.
Planting and Seating - See improve. In Virginia colonial law a patentee was required to cultivate an acre of land and build a small house on the property, otherwise the patent would revert to the government.
Posse - In posse (Latin). In the future or which might exist in the future. See also esse.
Possessory - Relating to ownership.
Premises - A somewhat fluid term meaning land and its appurtenances, or land and its buildings and structures.
Private Road Maintenance Agreement - An agreement between all property owners that abut a private road to maintain that road. Lenders require this agreement if the private road is the only access to a property.
Privity - A relationship between parties having a direct or indirect interest in a legal matter. Class actions are an example where parties not involved in a suit have a privity relation to it. Parties in estate transactions necessarily have privity, and so do heirs of an estate.
Prove Up - See Improve.
Probate - The process of proving a decedent's will and settling the estate. The signing of a will was typically witnessed by neighbors, who would later swear in court that they saw the decedent sign the will prior to death. This "proved" that the will was actually that of the decedent.
Property - Any kind of thing which has a value and which one can exercise the rights of ownership upon, including possession, use, and disposal.
Quitclaim Deed - A common type of deed in which the seller relinquishes claim to whatever rights were held on the property, but does not guarantee that that the property is actually free of claims by others.
Quitrent - A rent paid in lieu of required feudal services. See fee and socage. The quitrent can be considered a real estate tax.
Real property - Land. See also chattel.
Remainder - Transfer of ownership to someone on the death of another. For example, land may be sold to person A for use during their lifetime, but then remaindered to person B at the death of A.
Remise - To relinquish a claim to something, specifically to release or quitclaim an interest in real estate.
Replevin An action for recovery of property that has been illegally withheld from the rightful owner, plus damages for its detention. This is generally not an action to recover the value of the withheld property, but the actual property itself.
Reservation - A clause in a deed wherein seller retains a right in the land being sold but the specific right did not previously exist. "Reserving a right of way" is an example if the right of way did not previously exist. See also Exception.
Revert - Return of ownership to a former owner (or heirs).
Right of Entry - Permission to enter someone's property.
Right of Way - An easement for passage across someone's land.
Room - "in the room of" means in the place of, instead of.
Scire Facias - A writ requiring a party to show why a judgment should not be vacated, executed, or annulled.
Seised/Seized - Legally owning and possessing real property.
Seisin/Seizin - Ownership or 'in fact' possession of a freehold estate. Inferred here is an increasing degree of ownership with the passage of time, as the possessor makes productive use of the land. Seizin was originally not an estate, but a way to gain one, as by adverse possession. This is rooted in the Roman concept that whoever worked the land should be its owner.
Sergeantry - Non-military service to a lord in exchange for land.
Servitude - An encumbrance attached to land, specifically one that imposes a burden on the owner. Contrast with easement.
Setback - Required minimum distance new construction must have from the sides of the property, the street, and other structures. Setbacks are defined by local ordinance.
Socage - Holding of land by a tenant in return for fixed payment or for non-military service to the lord. This system was eventually replaced by our system of taxation. See quitrent.
Soke - The jurisdiction of a court.
Special Warranty Deed - A warranty deed constrained to the period during which seller owned the property. Claims for title defects that predate the seller's ownership period are not warranteed.
Straw Deed, Strawman Deed - Two deeds filed in succession, the first from party A to party B, second from B back to A. This was used to sidestep legal restrictions of sales between spouses or joint owners, or to incorporate a new survey description. Party B is a trusted intermediary, either a close friend or attorney.
Tangible property - The opposite of intangible property. Examples are land or other movable personal property that has a physical reality.
Tenancy by the entirety - A form of joint tenancy held by husband and wife. Title automatically transfers to the survivor upon the death of one party. Neither party can sell or divide the property without the consent of the other.
Tenancy in common - Title held by two or more people where each person can sell their interest without the consent of the other owners. There are no rights of survivorship.
Tenement - Permanent property, whether concrete or not, such as land, buildings, cars, or the stock represented by a stock certificate. In most common usage it means a house or building.
Teste - (Latin). Witness.
Testate - Having a will.
Thirds - see dower
Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
To wit - That is to say.
Tract - A piece of land. A parcel.
Trespass - In common law, a suit to recover damages directly made to one's person, property, or rights.
Trespass on the case - Similar to trespass, but for damages suffered indirectly.
Trust - Confidence placed in someone by giving them property to be held or used for another's benefit. The property held in trust.
Trustee - An individual to whom another's property is entrusted.
Try Title - To test the validity of someone's title to property.
Vacate - 1) To set aside or render void, 2) to move out.
Viz., Vizt. - Videlicet (Latin). That is to say.
Warrant - A governmental order authorizing some action. An arrest warrant instructs a sheriff to arrest someone. A land warrant instructs a state to issue land to someone.
Warranty Deed - A deed in which the seller warrants having a valid title and that the property is clear of any encumbrances. See also Special Warranty Deed.
Waste Land - Land that has not been claimed, or which has escheated.
Abbreviations
Assee - Assignee.
B for D - Bond for Deed
Comr D - Commissioners' Deed
DAF - Described as follows
DOV - Declaration of Value (real estate transfer tax declaration)
Dwr Rls - Dower Release
Fi Fa - Fieri facias
L & R - Lease and Release
MOL - More or less
P of A - Power of Attorney
P/F - per following
QCD - Quitclaim Deed
ROE - Right of Entry
WD - Warranty Deed
T.A.B. - Trespass, Assault, and Battery.
TOC - Trespass on the case
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Sources
"Black's Law Dictionary"
"Law Dictionary", Steven H. Gifis, 1996, Barron's Educational Series
"Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary", 1979
Jerry R. Broadus, LS, Esq., "The Surveyor and the Law", regular column in P.O.B.
soc.genealogy newsgroup postings
Discussions with several lawyers
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Copyright 2010 Direct Line Software 71 Neshobe Rd.
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deeds@directlinesoftware.com
The list would look like the one available at
http://www.directlinesoftware.com/legal.htm
Ergo while exploring land deeds I came across Legal Terms in Land Records that I needed to look up.
Myrna Goodwin of CVGS gave an excellent class on Land Deeds and explained how we needed to be prepared and use the proper terminology when approaching record keepers at county/state facilities. Myrna's contention was that the more you came prepared to do your research and "help" yourself; the more likely to obtain your data
Myrna in her presentation reviewed a couple "key words" including but not limited to:
Grant - Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
Grantee - The person receiving a grant, or buying property.
Grantor - The person issuing the grant, or selling property.
Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
Deed - A document giving the holder the title to property. More generally, any document sealing an agreement, contract, etc.
Obviously we can always learn more and more ..........
My new suggestion based on my experiences this week would be for a genealogist to carry a Legal Terms in Land Records with them to a Land Records office.
The list would look like the one available at
http://www.directlinesoftware.com/legal.htm
The words in bold below were terms I needed to review. One of my issues was the handwriting or space allowed to write the data made the words illegible. But I feel confident that et al and et ux are the only suffixes to these names even if does look like elal, etuxe, etale etc. I thought these were different terminology!
Accession - Adding on. In civil law, the right to all that one's property produces, not just the property itself.
Adminstrator(m)/administratrix(f) - A person appointed by the court to settle the estate of someone who died intestate.
Admit - see Copyhold.
Ad quod damnum - A writ causing an evaluation of damages that might result from someone's actions. Example: you wish to dam a creek on your land to power a mill. The pond may damage another's land.
Adverse Possession - Gaining title to another's land by exercising the rights of ownership of that land unchallenged for a period of time, typically on the order of five to ten years, and meeting other requirements (as set by each state). See seizin.
Alien - To transfer (lands, title) to another.
Alienation - A transfer of title or property to another.
Allodial - see alodium
Alodium - Land owned independently, without rent or other obligation to another. See Freehold Estate. The alodial (also 'allodial') system is opposed to the feudal system.
Appurtenances - Easements, rights of way, or agreements attached to land.
Assignee - See assigns. Often seen in conjunction with land warrants which were assigned (sold) to speculators.
Assigns - Anyone acting on behalf of or in place of the nominal owner. The owner may have transferred or sold his rights to someone else or appointed an attorney to act on his behalf.
At will - Terminable by the lord of the manor at any time.
Bargain - Mutual agreement among two or more people to exchange or purchase goods.
Bargain and Sale Deed - A type of deed in which title is transfered but in which there is usually no guarantee as to the validity of title.
Bequest - A gift of personal property made in a will. See also devise.
Bond for Deed/Title - A promise to convey land when paid at some point in the future.
Burgage - A tenure in which burgesses or townsfolk held lands or tenements of the lord, usually for a fixed rent. In Scotland the term related to tenure in property in the royal burghs.
Cadastral Map - Land ownership map. Generally used for tax purposes.
Caution - In the U.K., Canada, and elsewhere, a restriction on disposition of property by the registered owner, placed by a person who claims a right on the property in question.
Cesser - Failure of a tenant who holds land in return for services to perform those services.
Chattel - A tangible, movable article of personal property, as opposed to real property.
Claim - see Entry.
Collateral - Property put up by someone getting a loan. If they fail to repay the loan, the collateral goes to the person granting the loan.
Color of Title - A deed appearing to convey title but in fact not conveying title, either because the grantor did not have title to convey or because the conveyance was flawed in some way.
Condemn - The taking of privately owned land for public use by eminent domain. In the U.S. just compensation must be provided for any lands thus taken.
Consideration - The money (or other property) used to purchase land.
Convey - To transfer property or the title to property from one person to another.
Copyhold - A tenancy at will that was recorded in a manorial court ownership roll. The lord of the manor maintained the list. Copyholds were not, strictly speaking, inheritable, but were customarily so. The land reverted to the landowner who would then "admit" the heir to the lands of the decedent.
Covenant - A stipulation. A promise to do or not do something.
Customary Estate - see copyhold
Decedent - one who has died.
Deed - A document giving the holder the title to property. More generally, any document sealing an agreement, contract, etc. The most common types of deeds Bargain and Sale, Quitclaim, and Warranty.
Deed of trust - A transfer of property to someone to be held in trust for another. See trust. More specifically, however, deeds of trust are used in a number of states instead of a mortgage to secure a loan. The deed of trust names the trustees in whom title is placed as security against failure to meet the terms of the loan.
Deed poll - A deed not indented, that is, a deed made by one party only. See indenture.
Deforce - To forcibly withhold property from its rightful owner.
Demesne - 1) Possession of land as one's own. 2) The part of an estate worked for the owner. 3) Land adjoining the manor house.
Demise - Generally a synonym for 'lease', both noun and verb.
Devise - A gift of real property made in a will. See also bequest.
Dower - A wife's interest in her husband's property, inheritable at his death. English probate law set this at 1/3. "Her thirds" was a phrase used for this. In the U.S. it was common for a woman to formally relinquish her dower claim on land sold by the husband. This further guaranteed that the property was clear of all obligations. In some areas the lack of a dower relinquishment at the time of sale was proof that the man was single or widowed. See also jointure.
Easement - Use of a portion of property for some stated purpose without remuneration. Easements are not estates in that they do not convey ownership, but rather the use of the property in so far as needed for the stated purpose. An example is the easement a city may have to dig up part of your land to repair the water main. Easement is a right. Contrast with servitude.
Ejectment - A suit by an owner to reclaim ownership from a tenant who has overstayed the terms of a lease. Originally it was a suit brought by a fictitious tenant to try the title of the landlord in order to acquire the land under lease.
Emolument - Profit derived from employment or labor, including wages and other compensation.
Encroachment - To gain unlawfully or infringe on the property of another.
Encumbrance - A burden on a property, generally one that affects the ability to transfer title, or one which affects the condition of the property. Examples are liens, mortgages, taxes, easements, water rights, etc.
Enfeoff - To invest with an estate held in fee.
Enfeoffment - Giving ownership in fee. A deed or legal document giving ownership in fee.
Entail - To create a fee tail, or to create one from fee simple.
Entry - Filing of the intention to get a land grant or patent. This was the first step of a multi-step process of getting land, the other steps generally being Survey, and Grant.
Escheat - Land ownership reverting to the Crown, government, or estate owner because of a lack of heirs or breach of condition to ownership. See also forfeiture.
Esse - In esse (Latin). In existence. See also posse.
Estate - A property right held by someone. There can be many estates held on a single piece of property, for example, relating to specific uses of the property. Mineral rights, water rights, and so on are examples. Estates can be subordinate (lower in rank) to other estates.
Et al - Latin et alia, for "and others".
Et ux - Latin et uxor, for "and wife".
Exception - A clause in a deed whereby the seller retains some right currently held on the land being sold, for example, "my land except 3 acres...", "my land except mineral rights...". In both cases the seller owned the thing being excepted. See also Reservation.
Exception and Reservation - A general term found in deeds when a seller retains some kind of interest in the property. Technically the language should refer to a reservation or exception as needed but many deeds are written with this catchall phrase.
Executor/executrix - The person named in a will to carry out the terms of the will. See administrator.
Fee - Heritable land held in return for service to a lord.
Fee simple - Ownership of land that can be inherited by any heirs. To hold in fee means to possess.
Fee tail - Ownership of land restricted to a specified class of heirs, generally direct descendants.
Fem Covert - A married woman.
Feoff - See fee
Feoffment - Transfer of inheritable real property.
Feoffee - One who benefits from a fief.
Feud - See fee.
Feudal system - The system of land holding in exchange for service, ultimately to the king. This is opposed to the alodial system.
Fief - See fee.
Fieri Facias - A common law writ to enforce collection of a debt. Typically executed by the sheriff, the property of the debtor is sold to satisfy the claim.
Forfeiture - Loss of property for failure to obey the law, or reversion of title to the sovereign because of default or an offense. It can be applied to any part of an interest of ownership. See also escheat.
Freehold - see fee simple
Grant - Transfer of title from the government to the first titleholder of a piece of property. This term is generally used by states and the federal government. See also patent.
Grantee - The person receiving a grant, or buying property.
Grantor - The person issuing the grant, or selling property.
Headright - A Virginia sytem of land patents, prevalent in the 1600's in which immigrants, including minor children, were entitled to 50 acres of land apiece. It was customary for the person paying passage to claim the headright, though the right appears to belong to the immigrant. Headrights could be sold or assigned to others. A headright system was also used in other states including South Carolina and Georgia.
Hereditament - Anything that can be inherited. A corporeal hereditament is tangible real or personal property that can be inherited. An incorporeal hereditament includes intagible appurtenances, rents, and the like.
Importation right - See headright.
Improve - To make land more valuable by clearing and planting. Land that was not improved by the owner might revert to the government.
In capite - Latin - An estate in land held by direct grant of the king.
Incumbrance - See encumbrance.
Indefeasible Estate - An estate that cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Indenture - A written agreement. (Originally, the document was written in duplicate, and the two copies placed side by side and 'indented', or cut, with a wavy line so they fit together perfectly.) See also deed poll.
Ingress and Egress - The entering and leaving of land and the means of doing so.
In personam - Latin - A legal action against a person.
In rem - Latin - A legal action to affect the interests of people in a thing such as a parcel of land. Examples would be partitioning an estate or foreclosing. See also in personam.
Intangible property - The opposite of tangible property. Examples are property rights, easements, copyrights and other things of value that have no physical presence. Also, certificates or other items that have no inherent value but which represent something physical.
Intestate - Having no will. If someone dies intestate, the court appoints an administrator to settle the estate.
Instrument - Legal document.
Investiture - See livery of seizin.
Joint tenancy - Ownership by two or more people, with rights of survivorship. Tenants can act individually to partition or sell their interest in the property, but such actions create a tenancy in common. See also tenancy by the entirety.
Jointure - Property given to a prospective wife, to be enjoyed by her at her husband's death. Differs from dower in the way in which her future is protected.
Lease and Release - A practice in early Virginia that is equivalent to a sale. It was accomplished by a two step process of leasing the property in question to the buyer, then releasing the buyer of the lease obligation.
License - A personal privilege or permission to make some use of land owned by another.
Lien - A charge or claim upon someone's property as security for a debt. A lien does not confer title. The law recognizes the right to have a debt satisfied out of someone's property.
Life(time) Estate - An estate with duration limited to the lifetime of the holder or some other person. See remainder.
Livery - Delivery of ownership.
Livery of Seizin - An open and 'notorious' public ceremony conferring ownership of a freehold estate.
Locator - A person who determines or establishes the boundaries of land or a mining claim.
Messuage - A dwelling house with its adjacent buildings and lands appropriated to the use of the household.
Moiety - One half. One of two equal parts. A share or portion.
More or less - This term is frequently used in deeds to qualify acreage, e.g. "50 acres, being the same more or less". Even accurate surveys have some error in the calculation of area and this phrase recognizes that fact.
Mortgage - Today we think of this as a secured loan (for example, a loan with a house as collateral). In older times it was often written as a regular deed of sale with a condition attached such that the sale was void if certain payments are made by a certain date. With a mortgage, if the borrower fails to pay the mortgage note off, the mortgagor must successfully sue in order to sell the property and recover the loan. See deed of trust for a different way of establishing security for a loan.
Mutation - In India, the process of legally changing a parcel's owner. It results in an updated RTC (Record of Right Tenancy and Cultivation), the backbone of the Indian land record system.
Parcel - A piece of land. A tract.
Patent - Transfer of title from the government to the first titleholder of a piece of property. This term was generally used by the Crown or its representative. See also grant.
Payoff Deed - In Arizona and perhaps elsewhere, a deed of ownership issued when seller receives full payment under the terms of a deed of trust or agreement of sale.
Planting and Seating - See improve. In Virginia colonial law a patentee was required to cultivate an acre of land and build a small house on the property, otherwise the patent would revert to the government.
Posse - In posse (Latin). In the future or which might exist in the future. See also esse.
Possessory - Relating to ownership.
Premises - A somewhat fluid term meaning land and its appurtenances, or land and its buildings and structures.
Private Road Maintenance Agreement - An agreement between all property owners that abut a private road to maintain that road. Lenders require this agreement if the private road is the only access to a property.
Privity - A relationship between parties having a direct or indirect interest in a legal matter. Class actions are an example where parties not involved in a suit have a privity relation to it. Parties in estate transactions necessarily have privity, and so do heirs of an estate.
Prove Up - See Improve.
Probate - The process of proving a decedent's will and settling the estate. The signing of a will was typically witnessed by neighbors, who would later swear in court that they saw the decedent sign the will prior to death. This "proved" that the will was actually that of the decedent.
Property - Any kind of thing which has a value and which one can exercise the rights of ownership upon, including possession, use, and disposal.
Quitclaim Deed - A common type of deed in which the seller relinquishes claim to whatever rights were held on the property, but does not guarantee that that the property is actually free of claims by others.
Quitrent - A rent paid in lieu of required feudal services. See fee and socage. The quitrent can be considered a real estate tax.
Real property - Land. See also chattel.
Remainder - Transfer of ownership to someone on the death of another. For example, land may be sold to person A for use during their lifetime, but then remaindered to person B at the death of A.
Remise - To relinquish a claim to something, specifically to release or quitclaim an interest in real estate.
Replevin An action for recovery of property that has been illegally withheld from the rightful owner, plus damages for its detention. This is generally not an action to recover the value of the withheld property, but the actual property itself.
Reservation - A clause in a deed wherein seller retains a right in the land being sold but the specific right did not previously exist. "Reserving a right of way" is an example if the right of way did not previously exist. See also Exception.
Revert - Return of ownership to a former owner (or heirs).
Right of Entry - Permission to enter someone's property.
Right of Way - An easement for passage across someone's land.
Room - "in the room of" means in the place of, instead of.
Scire Facias - A writ requiring a party to show why a judgment should not be vacated, executed, or annulled.
Seised/Seized - Legally owning and possessing real property.
Seisin/Seizin - Ownership or 'in fact' possession of a freehold estate. Inferred here is an increasing degree of ownership with the passage of time, as the possessor makes productive use of the land. Seizin was originally not an estate, but a way to gain one, as by adverse possession. This is rooted in the Roman concept that whoever worked the land should be its owner.
Sergeantry - Non-military service to a lord in exchange for land.
Servitude - An encumbrance attached to land, specifically one that imposes a burden on the owner. Contrast with easement.
Setback - Required minimum distance new construction must have from the sides of the property, the street, and other structures. Setbacks are defined by local ordinance.
Socage - Holding of land by a tenant in return for fixed payment or for non-military service to the lord. This system was eventually replaced by our system of taxation. See quitrent.
Soke - The jurisdiction of a court.
Special Warranty Deed - A warranty deed constrained to the period during which seller owned the property. Claims for title defects that predate the seller's ownership period are not warranteed.
Straw Deed, Strawman Deed - Two deeds filed in succession, the first from party A to party B, second from B back to A. This was used to sidestep legal restrictions of sales between spouses or joint owners, or to incorporate a new survey description. Party B is a trusted intermediary, either a close friend or attorney.
Tangible property - The opposite of intangible property. Examples are land or other movable personal property that has a physical reality.
Tenancy by the entirety - A form of joint tenancy held by husband and wife. Title automatically transfers to the survivor upon the death of one party. Neither party can sell or divide the property without the consent of the other.
Tenancy in common - Title held by two or more people where each person can sell their interest without the consent of the other owners. There are no rights of survivorship.
Tenement - Permanent property, whether concrete or not, such as land, buildings, cars, or the stock represented by a stock certificate. In most common usage it means a house or building.
Teste - (Latin). Witness.
Testate - Having a will.
Thirds - see dower
Title - Legal ownership as evidenced by a deed or other instrument.
To wit - That is to say.
Tract - A piece of land. A parcel.
Trespass - In common law, a suit to recover damages directly made to one's person, property, or rights.
Trespass on the case - Similar to trespass, but for damages suffered indirectly.
Trust - Confidence placed in someone by giving them property to be held or used for another's benefit. The property held in trust.
Trustee - An individual to whom another's property is entrusted.
Try Title - To test the validity of someone's title to property.
Vacate - 1) To set aside or render void, 2) to move out.
Viz., Vizt. - Videlicet (Latin). That is to say.
Warrant - A governmental order authorizing some action. An arrest warrant instructs a sheriff to arrest someone. A land warrant instructs a state to issue land to someone.
Warranty Deed - A deed in which the seller warrants having a valid title and that the property is clear of any encumbrances. See also Special Warranty Deed.
Waste Land - Land that has not been claimed, or which has escheated.
Abbreviations
Assee - Assignee.
B for D - Bond for Deed
Comr D - Commissioners' Deed
DAF - Described as follows
DOV - Declaration of Value (real estate transfer tax declaration)
Dwr Rls - Dower Release
Fi Fa - Fieri facias
L & R - Lease and Release
MOL - More or less
P of A - Power of Attorney
P/F - per following
QCD - Quitclaim Deed
ROE - Right of Entry
WD - Warranty Deed
T.A.B. - Trespass, Assault, and Battery.
TOC - Trespass on the case
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Sources
"Black's Law Dictionary"
"Law Dictionary", Steven H. Gifis, 1996, Barron's Educational Series
"Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary", 1979
Jerry R. Broadus, LS, Esq., "The Surveyor and the Law", regular column in P.O.B.
soc.genealogy newsgroup postings
Discussions with several lawyers
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How did I know which house my grandfather lived in 1920?
In this blogspot I like to share the background of the steps I took to discover the information I share about my family. Yes, sometimes it would be nice if our families would save photos, land deeds, places of occupation, and their histories in neat little folders in legible print for us to find. But alas! My family did not do this for me. In my Hayley blog this week, my father (as a guest writer) to the blogspot posted photos of himself in front of the house his father lived in as a teenager.
The address was derived from the 1920 census
Of course this census page is too small to read here. But if you were to look it up and enhance it, You would find the address for this family is 319 Eighth Street. Now the problem I encountered when I got to Hutchinson, Kansas was there are two 319 Eighth Streets! So again referring to the same census page --- I discovered the close cross streets and was able to decipher that it was East Eighth Street that was the correct address.
Here is a photo of my father standing in front of the house number: For more photos of this house please visit: http://reedhayley.blogspot.com/2010/09/319-east-eighth-street-hutchinson.html
Because the census indicated the house was owned and free of debt, I went to the RENO county courthouse to review the land records.
OK I dressed for comfort, walking shoes, no make up, I will try harder next time.
Inside I photographed some of the architecture features of the building. The court house as many are, was absolutely beautiful.
The address was derived from the 1920 census
Of course this census page is too small to read here. But if you were to look it up and enhance it, You would find the address for this family is 319 Eighth Street. Now the problem I encountered when I got to Hutchinson, Kansas was there are two 319 Eighth Streets! So again referring to the same census page --- I discovered the close cross streets and was able to decipher that it was East Eighth Street that was the correct address.
Here is a photo of my father standing in front of the house number: For more photos of this house please visit: http://reedhayley.blogspot.com/2010/09/319-east-eighth-street-hutchinson.html
Because the census indicated the house was owned and free of debt, I went to the RENO county courthouse to review the land records.
OK I dressed for comfort, walking shoes, no make up, I will try harder next time.
Inside I photographed some of the architecture features of the building. The court house as many are, was absolutely beautiful.
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