I agree with you, Audrey, about the usefulness of deeds in doing genealogical research. I have found some great finds in deeds and also patents for land. I have *patched together* more of my families by using deeds, and family history experts tell us how important they are. (In England, hardly anyone but the upper crust could own land. The same was true in Germany, whence came many of our people.) Also, recorded with deeds frequently are powers of attorney, and these empower someone in another location (or going to another location) to conduct some business for the grantor--sometimes to collect debts. When the deed indexes are thorough, I can frequently tell when someone has died as his heirs are selling the land. Sometimes I find the names of the sons-in-laws of the deceased persons. Each case is different, but one gets a flavor of the times -- and the fluctuation in the value of the land -- by reading deeds. Also, when everybody in the county is losing his shirt, as the banks and the railroads have called in their notes!!! E.W.Wallace