I am not certain if Kanawha County defines it the same way, but here is how I keep it all straight: Plat -- a picture, survey or diagram of a property or subdivision (multiple lots) based upon a deed. Survey or Deed Map Books -- a collection of certified or registered survey plats located at the county courthouse. Perhaps the Kanawha County calls this a plat book, but a plat books means something very different in the Midwest. Plat books -- commonly available in the federal land states to the Midwest and west where the township and range survey system was used. Plat books are used more for land identification and index purposes, while the deeds and certified survey maps are the official legal documents. Books typically represent a county were each page usually encompasses an entire township consisting of 36 sections (each one mile square). Books typically included unincorporated areas, not cities and villages, except for some of the earliest plat books which may include city maps. The details and features included in each plat book varies. For Wisconsin and Illinois, plat books are typically available from the late 1800's to present in 10-20 year increments. West Virginia may not have what I commonly know as plat books, since Virginia was a state-land state utilizing metes and bounds surveys. There are likely deed or survey map books at the Kanawha County courthouse which would be a compilation of certified survey plats and subdivision plats. Since each page might be a different property or plat, the collections tend to be large, often oversized, and volumous. It is quite possible that the County Clerk may be your only source for such survey maps. Also, not all properties have a registered or certified plat survey, with only the deed to go on. Hope this provides some insight. My recommendation would be to write the clerk. However, my experience in Kanawha County land records is limited and I would welcome any additions or corrections. Chris Straight Fairchild, WI