http://www.sos.state.ky.us/ADMIN/LANDOFFI/landoffice.asp http://www.sos.state.ky.us/ADMIN/LANDOFFI/landoff.htm this one gives part of the history, and other pages allow searching. Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: <Fjtynron@aol.com> To: <KYHARRIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, August 22, 1999 9:50 PM Subject: Re: [KYHARRIS-L] ACQUIRING LAND > This subject can become quite complicated. A land "patent" and a land > "grant" are essentially the same thing - a document that conveys > unappropriated land from a government unto an individual. Virginia law calls > them "patents" prior to 1775 and "grants" after 10 October 1779. (from 1775 > to 1779 I don't know what the legal status was!).