This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/gAC.2ACE/2678.2.1.1 Message Board Post: ODB is an abbreviation for "Order Deed Book" (special kinds of deeds - like grants) FWB is for "Frederick Will Book" (wills) FDB is "Frederick Deed Book" (usually regular deeds) The records are in books according to type of information is in them - wills, deeds, probates, etc. The books within each category are numbered, and then a page is identified. For instance, FWB 3, p. 40 would be the "will book number 3", and the item on "page 40". Most transcriptions use this kind of shorthand to identify where the official record is found, regardless of county or state. What you will find in these books is the court written record - not the actual deed. Some, as in Frederick county, have been typed at some later date. I know the birth record book is a typed one, and has some errors due to transcriptions. Some counties have "archive rooms" where you can use the information in the books to locate the actual records - complete with signatures. This might be in the person's handwriting, as opposed to the court clerks. It might have signatures and seals on it as well. The court records have lots of various books - and lots of information can be gleaned from those books. A deed book will show when a person owned land, where it was (although the "red oak" and "pine grove" may no longer be standing :-) These land records often explain family relationships, and give a good idea of how they lived. They can show when buildings were added, etc. Order books have lots of information - usually someone is settling some matter in a legal way. Maybe a sale, or a disagreement. I found a mother in law suing a daughter in law (of her deceased son) for support. In this matter, a child, unknown before, was found. It also gave me a rather unpleasant view of the mother in law! One interesting book is an "Orphan court book". When a father of minor children died, even if his wife was alive, his minor children might be considered "orphans". Often a male (usually a relative) would be assigned guardianship, even it the mother was still alive. These records can be especially helpful in identifying children & ages. An abstract is a small written piece that tells the book & page, and names mentioned, but no details. There are lots of books of abstracts, and they are very helpful to find a particular person or relationship. You can then use that information to locate the actual court record, and then possibly the origional record. Some counties have the origionals on microfilm, so, while you can't see the actual document, you can view the microfilm/microfiche, and make copies from that. Estate probates have more helpful information. They might have all people that might have an interest in the estate, their relationship to the deceased, and their location. If there is an estate sale, you might find items described that give a picture of their life as well. Even the people that purchase items can give you clues. In the records above, I gave the information that is recorded in books I have, since the person searching can write and ask for specific records, saving time and money. Some people might be willing, with that information, to search the books and make copies (usually 25 cents) and mail them at cost, as opposed to having a researcher do it, usually costing much more. If the courthouse has to look up the book, etc, they might charge a fee for that as well. It can be overwhelming at first to see all of the books in the courthouse, and every county handles their records a bit differently. Sometimes the county has a historical society, and you can find lots of info there as well. They usually have family histories there, as well as historical information on the area. Good luck!