I began my research in the 1980s when photocopiers in some locations did not create long-term reproductions of records. They would fade and turn brown and eventually be unreadable. My local librarian always reminded me to type up these photocopies and not rely on them long term. Photocopying was a way to get more information and get a copy with it “right” without having to manually copy the information in the library or courthouse. Those old photocopies were a form of evaporating notes and that’s how we had to view them. Digital reproduction of records has come a long way. But some things have not changed. It is still important to transcribe copies of documents. It is still important to view those photocopies or digital images of records […]
If you are unable to find a deed of sale for your relative, consider that the property could have been sold for failure to pay taxes. Those deeds are typically indexed under “Sheriff” and not the name of the owner as the owner technically does not own the property at that point and is not the actual grantor on the deed. If there was a Sheriff’s sale, consider looking for court records involving the non-tax-paying ancestor as well.
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