What Are Metes and Bounds in Land Records?
Q. In my land records research, I’ve come across the term “metes and bounds.” What does it mean? A. Metes and bounds is an old method of surveying territory for settlement, used in the original 13 Colonies. “The indiscriminate survey system, or metes and bounds, dates to England,” says Ohio genealogical speaker and writer Jana […]
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Finding Your Ancestor’s Land Records Premium
Perplexed by patents and plats? Confused by claims? Survey our beginner's guide to land records. This article includes a short Genealogy How-To Video on how to map your ancestor's property with the Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office website.
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Where to Find Your Ancestor’s Land Records Premium
Dig into a genealogical gold mine: your ancestors' deeds, claims and other land records.
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State Land vs. Public Land States Premium
Whether your ancestors lived in a state-land or public-land state affects the land records you'll look for. Learn which states fall into which category.
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Long Distance Deeds Premium
Don't let long distances from your ancestral stomping grounds keep you from discovering the treasures in land records. The author of Locating Your Roots shares secrets for researching deeds without leaving home.
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Searching General Land Office Records (GLO) Premium
With 2 million General Land Office patents to mine, the Bureau of Land Management's Web site is an El Dorado for public land records.
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