June wrote: " Hello Paul, An ancestor surveyed land in southern Virginia in 1706. That is documented, but I don't know where he was before that time. Do you know who would have hired a surveyor and whether or not there would be a record of such hiring? Thank you very much." **** Very likely there is no record of that particular survey or surveyor or of his contract or agreement to make that certain survey, unless it just happens to remain in the clerks' office with the deed records. Those "surveyors" were appointed/approved by the court/county/colony to a certain term of months or years and were paid from the fees they charged for identifying land and its boundaries and then preparing the description and for making a drawing - sometimes called a "plat" - of those boundaries. The work of surveyors was very important in order that the county records show where every tract was, who owned it, and also in order that the taxing authority might proceed to levy a land tax (tithe) the new owners. Paul

>> An ancestor surveyed land in southern Virginia in 1706. That is documented, but I don't know where he was before that time. Do you know who would have hired a surveyor and whether or not there would be a record of such hiring?<< If this is documented then you must have the name of the county where the land was located, right? If the Court records for that county are still in existance it will be found in there, in my opinion.. In 1706 it would be Norfolk co., Nansemnond Co. or Surry co.. Norfolk co. records exist. Nansemond co. records were totally destroyed. Some Surry Co. records exist.. Good Luck! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va.