If you have found what looks like a deed where heirs are settling up real estate after a death, try and access other records if at all possible. Deeds are notorious for not clearly delineating relationships–after all, the people in the deed know the relationship and the purpose of the deed is not to leave a complete and accurate genealogy. Sellers on a settlement deed may be children and grandchildren, or nieces and nephews\/great-nieces and great-grandnephews, or all cousins of varying degrees of relationships.<\/p>\n
Try and access court and probate records along with other materials to refine relationships that are hinted at in what appears to be a deed settling up an estate.<\/p>\n