Thanks, Chocy, for the clarification about "examined". I have an example that has been really stiffling research on the McARTOR family. An "examination" of the wife of our oldest known relative only identifies her as "Mary". Were any of the wives ever fully identified; such as "Mary Brown McArtor" or "the former Mary Brown"? Boy, if they had only done that. Bob McArtor ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 6:56 AM Subject: Re: [VALOUDOU-L] Old Deed Records: What does "examined" mean? > Examined as found in Frederick County, Virginia acknowledged that the wife > had been examined alone and apart from her husband concerning the > Indenture > (Deed, etc.) and that she was in agreement with the transaction of her own > free > will and that she had not been pressured into signing the document. Once > the > examination was done (sworn to by the examiners, signed, and sealed) the > document was sent/taken to be recorded. In Frederick County there is > usually a > paragraph or two recorded with the document showing in legal terms the way > in > which they were examined with all the signatures of those present for the > examination. Sometimes the person could not travel to the courthouse, so > the > examining persons would travel to the person for the interview. Then the > documents were recorded. > Wives had dowry rights and this helped to protect them (supposedly). > Chocy > > > ==== VALOUDOU Mailing List ==== > Have you posted your Loudoun Co. surnames lately? > New members are joining our mailing list every day. > Be sure to periodically remind us of your Loudoun research interests. > >