Put every event in context. If your ancestor sells property, ask yourself:
- how old was he?
- was he getting ready to leave the area?
- was he having financial problems?
- was he selling to a child or other relative?
- is he “setting his estate” before he dies?
- did he buy other property about the same time?
Don’t look at a record all by itself. Put it in the context of other things that were taking place in your ancestor’s life. Some of these situations will result in other records–additional land deeds, court records, etc.. Selling all land before death may be the reason you cannot find a probate for him or her.
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