Posts in September 18, 2026

I give this property to John Smith and his heirs and assigns forever.” The phrase “heirs and assigns forever” typically means that John can “assign” to someone (by selling by deed or giving by will) the property or, if he has not done that by his death, then John’s heirs will have title to the property (depending upon contemporary state statute and common legal practice at the time).  That’s a rather simplified version of “heirs and assigns” forever, but “heirs” and “assigns” mean different things. And the genealogist who doesn’t concern themself with the definitions runs the risk of drawing conclusions that are not necessarily true.