This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LoisMasters63 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.som.general/12879.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hope I get this accurately. In England and Ireland, land was owned by gentry. Ourtright land ownership by the larger population did not exist. However, an individual or family might lease a piece of property for an annual stipend. I have seen a lease of lives which spanned several generations. It is not unusual for a lease of lives to name a father and two sons or a father, a wife and one child. The lease of lives would either go for a set period of (for example) 31 years; perhaps 99 years or it would go to the "longest liver" of the people identified. If there was an untimely death of one of the parties, the lessee could re-negotiate and add another child to the agreement. That would generate another record. If the agreement has been mutually beneficial to both parties, a researcher can see this "lease" being continued in subsequent generations. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.