>Submitted by [email protected] >The census is not a legal document. It is only as accurate as the >census taker and the person giving the information. Names may be >spelled incorrectly. Included may be nieces or nephews with the same >last name being mistaken for children, and children may not be listed >if they were away at the time of the census.> > >DAR accepts census copies as proof when accompanied with other >documents. Vitals are sometimes not available in old records, so other >ways glued together, is workable. > >LEGAL TRIVIA >When land was sold, the spouse had to be listed in the land >record. Land records should be searched after a death as often a >list of heirs will be shown during partition of the estate and even >sometimes a map. >If there is a will, it is probated by an Executor - if there is no >will, the estate is cared for by an Administrator appointed by the court. >"IN RE" concerning adoptions means "in regards to" something. You >can often find adoptions listed in record books where divorce and >probate records are filed. Instead of putting adoptions in under the >letter "A" they may place them under "I" for "in re". Under this >category you will find petitions to change name, petition to adopt, etc. Shirley Hornbeck <http://www.genealogical.com/products/This%20and%20That%20Genealogy%20Tips/9377.html> <http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~hornbeck>