Hi, All! I've been transcribing some old deed records and noticed that sometimes there is a notation in the margin next to the statement indicating it was recorded that says "examined" or sometimes "examd". Sometimes it's the word alone. Sometimes there is a name and date. Sometimes is says "examined and delivered to" (in various abbreviations) followed by a name and a date. What does this mean? Who is doing the examining? Does it indicate some kind of change of ownership? I'd appreciate any enlightenment here.... Thanks, Kathe (Ruse) Richards

I can only relate what happened to one of the deeds I have from way back when: the deed was for purchase of land; the seller asked that the deed be recorded at the court house. The Clerk's office entered in the margin that a copy of the recordied deed was delivered to the purchaser. This is the explanation I was given for the margin notes. The seller perhaps wished to be absolved from any future property tax, and the Clerk made sure that the new owner was aware that he now owned that land "legally," and is responsible for any future assessments. If it were just "examined," it was probably verified by the Clerk's office that the action had indeed taken place and both parties were aware of it. Someone else with more knowledge will probably jump in here and discuss this and maybe correct my thinking on the "examined" part. Subject: [VALOUDOU-L] Old Deed Records: What does "examined" mean? > Hi, All! > > I've been transcribing some old deed records and noticed that sometimes there is a notation in the margin next to the statement indicating it was recorded that says "examined" or sometimes "examd". Sometimes it's the word alone. Sometimes there is a name and date. Sometimes is says "examined and delivered to" (in various abbreviations) followed by a > name and a date. > > What does this mean? Who is doing the examining? > Does it indicate some kind of change of ownership? > > Kathe (Ruse) Richards

Deeds were not written in the courthouse. Either an attorney, or educated neighbor drew the document. On early deeds both grantor & grantee signed. The deed was read to the buyer & seller to make sure it was correct, then the seller signed it. Three witnesses were required (In Virginia) to verify & sign the transaction. They were saying, "Yes, the seller knew what he was doing, both agreed to the terms, and that is the seller's signature." (Based on my experience, no one verified the metes and bounds). One or both of the parties, grantor or grantee, took the original document to court and paid to have it recorded. When the clerk had time, the deed was copied on to a large page that would eventually be bound into a book with other deeds. Ergo, the signatures in books are not original. If the grantor/seller took the deed to the clerk, he did not need witnesses. He, the grantor, verified that it was his desire to sell, he agreed to the terms, and signed the deed. The deed was "acknowledged" in front of the clerk, and that's why no witnesses were named. Now for the marginal notes: Examined means someone has compared the original with the recorded copy and they match. Land was usually purchased on credit, over 3 years. The number of years could be different, and some men probably bought with cash or a trade. You can tell by looking at the terms within the deed. While the land was in limbo, the original deed remained in the courthouse. The buyer was the man who went back in to pick up his deed once he had completely paid for the land. He took a note/release that said he had satisfied his debt. Or maybe the seller was in town at the same time and they both went to see the clerk. A neighbor could also pick up the deed. All that was needed was some kind of proof that the land had been paid for. The clerk then examined the two deeds for accuracy, and handed, or delivered, the original to the buyer or his agent. The clerk signed, sometimes with initials, and dated the delivery. Compare the date of the deed, usually on the first line, with the date of delivery. If you do not see marginal notes, "examined & delivered" or some abbreviated form thereof, it means the original deed is still in the courthouse. Please let me know if I wasn't clear in this explanation. Ms. Marty Hiatt, CGRS "Document what you find, listen to what you are told, and especially, love and respect your work." John Morris CGRS is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license after periodic evaluations by the Board. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathe Richards" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 3:58 PM Subject: Old Deed Records: What does "examined" mean? > Hi, All! > > I've been transcribing some old deed records and > noticed that sometimes there is a notation in the > margin next to the statement indicating it was > recorded that says "examined" or sometimes "examd". > Sometimes it's the word alone. Sometimes there is a > name and date. Sometimes is says "examined and > delivered to" (in various abbreviations) followed by a > name and a date. > > What does this mean? Who is doing the examining? > Does it indicate some kind of change of ownership? > > I'd appreciate any enlightenment here.... > > Thanks, > > Kathe (Ruse) Richards > > ______________________________