The metes and bounds method was adequate for most of our ancestors - using tree stumps and stakes for pointers - everyone knew each other. Today we don't often know our neighbors. Also, most of the errors in deed directions were made during copying by clerks (usually NW for NE or SE for SW) - the same thing we do with our checkbooks. If I have a good deed description from 1700, most of the time I can lay it out on a geo map and walk to within several feet of the old deed lines. By using tracing paper with the right dimensions, I can overlay current maps and often find the right location due to those nasty creek locations. Doesn't always work, but if you have the time and inclination - you may be surprised with the results. You will never forget a visit to where your ancestors lived 200-300 years ago. Who said, "You can't tell one blade of grass from another unless you know who walked there?" ----- Original Message ----- From: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D-request@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 9:20 PM To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D@rootsweb.com Subject: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D Digest V01 #232 Content-Type: text/plain VA-SOUTHSIDE-D Digest Volume 01 : Issue 232 Today's Topics: #1 Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Land ["Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>] #2 Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Land measurem ["Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>] #3 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: VA-SOUTHSIDE- [ORCompton@aol.com] #4 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] (Baugh) Tithing v [jleehunt1@aol.com] #5 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Lynchburg, VA His ["Margaret Driskill" <mdriskill@wor] #6 Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Lynchburg, VA ["Brownie MacKie" <BMacKie1@compuse] #7 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Question ["Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>] #8 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Neglected ["Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>] #9 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Early Deeds, Surv [FTht98@aol.com] #10 [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] land measurements ["Mickey Fournier" <mfournier@atlan] #11 Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] How To Find/W ["Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>] Administrivia: To unsubscribe from VA-SOUTHSIDE-D, send a message to VA-SOUTHSIDE-D-request@rootsweb.com that contains in the body of the message the command unsubscribe and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. ______________________________