Just wanted to point out that about half of the deeds on my families did not list the wife's name when it has been proven the man was married and had children - in spite of what should have been done. This covers 1600s-1800s in VA and NC. So, please do not let a deed, without the wife's name, lead to a wrong conclusion. On the other hand, I have seen deeds that were challenged in the courts for same reason. There was a big one like that in 1600s Surry Co. VA where a man's widow, who had remarried, challenged the rights to ownership of a deed which had been sold by the deceased earlier. The second husband was the one pushing the dispute. Bob Jordan jorbob@webtv.net