Never heard that, and doubt that it is true. Maybe in certain communities, but certainly not universally. -----Original Message----- From: Eldon Wade [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 12:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [GAHALL] Clues to maiden names in deeds? I picked up the below info from another list. Has anyone found this to be reliable? It doesn't seem to work on the deeds I have for 1804-1825 but then my WADEs don't seem to be predictable anyway. The following is from a Minnesota Genealogical Newsletter. "In the lower left corner of most old deeds you will find two to four witnesses. The first one is always from the husband's side, the next two from the wife's side. That is to protect her one-half dower rights under the law. Nothing you will ever use will give greater clues to maiden names". Thanks, Eldon mailto:[email protected] Researching: WADE, HAMES ==== GAHALL Mailing List ==== Visit the Hall County GAGenWeb Page http://www.rootsweb.com/~gahall/

Hi Joe, I am skeptical of it too but wanted to find out if it was included in Genealogy 101 and I skipped class that day. My experience is that witnesses are usually based on convenience. Whoever happens to be nearby. Thanks for the reply. Eldon mailto:[email protected] Researching: WADE, HAMES -----Original Message----- From: Joe Harrington [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 2:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [GAHALL] Clues to maiden names in deeds? Never heard that, and doubt that it is true. Maybe in certain communities, but certainly not universally. -----Original Message----- From: Eldon Wade [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 12:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [GAHALL] Clues to maiden names in deeds? I picked up the below info from another list. Has anyone found this to be reliable? It doesn't seem to work on the deeds I have for 1804-1825 but then my WADEs don't seem to be predictable anyway. The following is from a Minnesota Genealogical Newsletter. "In the lower left corner of most old deeds you will find two to four witnesses. The first one is always from the husband's side, the next two from the wife's side. That is to protect her one-half dower rights under the law. Nothing you will ever use will give greater clues to maiden names". Thanks, Eldon mailto:[email protected] Researching: WADE, HAMES ==== GAHALL Mailing List ==== Visit the Hall County GAGenWeb Page http://www.rootsweb.com/~gahall/ ==== GAHALL Mailing List ==== Visit the Hall County GAGenWeb Page http://www.rootsweb.com/~gahall/