Land records can provide family relations as well as property location. Examples where they come in handy is for people who were in the area between census years. Deed indexes can be used as an early version of a census prior to 1790. Below is what information can be found within the records.
Deed of William Decourse (1771 Frederick County Maryland Deed RP1-202). States “William Decourse (Farmer) of Rowan County NC. (Forks of Atkin River), assigns the tract or parcel called Leonards Frolick located on a draught of Sams Creek”. Goes on to say patented to a certain Leonard Decourse (Father of William Decourse)”.
From this short statement how much information just came out?
1. Shows father and son along with the son’s occupation
2. State and county the son moved to and narrowed down by mention of the Atkin River. (Migration to new state, you now know where to trace William Decourse)
3. Name of the tract of land (Leonards Frolick) and was patented to Leonard Decourse. Patent states the land was surveyed in 1746. Now have a date Leonard Decourse was present in Frederick County.
4. States located on draught of Sams Creek. Narrowed down location of the land within Frederick County
5. States selling the land of his father. Gives clue to possible death date of Leonard Decourse.
MDX 1