Today, we'll move on to the second step in the land grant process. After the Warrant came the Entry. This record is often considered a patent itself, when, in actuality, it is merely an intention to file for a patent. The surveyor records in his entry book the name of the person wishing to reserve for patenting a particular piece of land, the type of warrant authorizing the survey, and the date the intention is declared. Entries are not binding and may be altered or withdrawn if an individual so desires. Jillson's Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds list entries in early Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette Counties as well as the Military District. The originals of these records, with the exception of the Jefferson County Entry Books housed at the Jefferson County Archives in Louisville, are stored in the Land Office in Frankfort. Subsequent surveyor entry books are houses on the county level. The passage of time has resulted, at best, in a scattered availability of these records. Step #3. The Survey. This is also known as the Plat, or Survey Certificate. The next step in land patenting is the preparation of the Survey depicting the tract and describing metes and bounds. In a statement prepared by the county surveyor, the name of the person having the survey made is given as well as the type of warrant authorizing the survey. Any assignments that have already occurred are also mentioned. The county is recorded as well as the name of the closest watercourse, in most instances. Points such as "trees, "bear wallows," and schoolhouses were accepted in the survey description; surveyors today use more modern methods of measuring distance and bearing. (The only area in Kentucky that meets federal surveying guidelines, that is, section, townships, ranges, etc. is the Jackson Purchase mapped in 1820). Surveys, like warrants, can also be traded, sold or reassigned, so it is imperative that the researcher study both sides of the document to determine if a transfer was made after the Survey and before the Grant was issued. The name of the county surveyor, or his deputy, is given at the end of the survey description, generally in the right column. The names of the surveying party are recorded in the left column, the list more generally included chain carrier, markers and housekeepers. Next week we'll go to the last step - the Grant. Sandi Colonel Sandi Gorin President, South Central KY Historical & Genealogical Society Sandi's website: http://www.gensoup.org/gorin/index.html Sandi's puzzlers: http://www.gensoup.org/gorinpuzzles/index.php --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com