Glossary
Of
Terms Found During Genealogical Research
Abstract - a brief summary of a book, article, court records such as deeds and wills
Abstract of Title - a brief summary of the legal title to land
Arpent - an old French unit of measure; about 5/6 acre
Assignee - a person to whom property is transferred
Attest - to witness; to certify by your signature
Banns - an announcement of an upcoming marriage
Bench Mark - a surveyor's point of reference made on a permanent landmark of known elevation; a standard
Bequest - property given to a person in a last will and testament
Bond - a written agreement to pay specified amount of money
Bounty Land - public land given to soldiers in lieu of cash for military service
Chain - a surveyor's measure equal to 100 links
Codicil - a supplement or addition to a last will and testament that changes or explains provisions to the will
Consort - a wife or husband; a spouse
Declaration of Intention - court record by a foreigner of his intention to become a citizen
Deed - a legal document which transfers ownership of land or property
Devisee - person who receives real property in a last will and testament
Devisor -the testator of a will who gives property to others in the will
Dower - a part of a husband's property which a widow inherits for life
Emigrant - person leaving a country to move to another country
Enumeration - a counting done by way of a list, such as a census
Estate - all assets and liabilities, property and debts, belonging to a person
Executor - person appointed to carry out the provisions in a last will and testament
Fee Simple - absolute ownership of property; no restrictions
Furlong - a measure of distance equal to 220 yards
Gazetteer - a geographical dictionary or index listing the names for towns, rivers, mountains, villages, etc
Glebe - land belonging to a church and given as a salary to the minister
Grant - to transfer ownership of land or property by a deed
Grantee - person who receives or purchases the property
Grantor - person who gives or sells the property
Heir - person who receives property from a deceased person by last will and testament
Homestead Act - in 1862 the U.S. Gov't granted 160 acres to settlers if they would farm and live on the land.
Immigrant - person moving into another country to settle there
Indentured Servant - a person who is legally bound to another to work for a specified amount of time; such as an apprentice to a master, or immigrant to service in a new colony.
Instant - generally meaning the current month or in the present month
Intestate - person who dies with making a last will and testament
Issue - children born to a person
Land Warrant - a legal document to guarantee the title of the land to the grantee; a government certificate
Legatee - person who receives money, property or other items thru a last will and testament
Lessee - person who leases property; a tenant
Link - a surveyor's measure equal to 7.92 inches
Loyalist - a colonist during the American Revolution who was loyal to the British Government
Maiden Name - the surname which a girl is born with
Migrate - to move from one place to another; to move with the intention of settling new land
Militia - an army composed of citizens rather than full time soldiers, called upon in a emergency
Mortality Schedules - listing of persons who died during the prior year
Nee - indicates the maiden name of a married woman
Pace - a unit of measure equal to the approximate length of a step; 2 1/2 feet in length
Partition - to divide property and give separate title to those who had owned property jointly
Patent - a deed or grant of land to an individual from a government
Patentee - a person who receives a grant or deed of land thru a patent
Perch - a measure of distance equal to 5 1/2 yards or 16 1/2 feet; a rod
Pole - a measure of distance equal to 16 1/2 feet
Probate - the process of proving that a last will and testament is genuine
Public Domain - land owned by the government and acquired by treaty, conquest, etc
Quit Claim Deed - to give up or release the title to land or property
Range - a term used in public surveying; a row of townships running north and south in the county.
Revolutionary War/American Revolution - The war for independence from Great Britain; 1775-1783
Section - surveying term; 640 acres; 1 square mile
Sic - generally used to show that a quoted word or passage in the original contains an error but is here transcribed precisely
Surname - the family name; last name
Survey Plat - land survey map generally showing one township
Territory - a part of the United States having its own governing body and an appointed governor but is not an actual state
Testator - person who draws up a valid last will and testament
Tithe - generally is in reference to a contribution to a church body but can also be used to indicate any tax or levy imposed
Tory - in the American Revolution, a person who advocated allegiance to Great Britain.
Township - a division of a county; 36 square miles
Ultimo - refers to the previous month
Viz - that is; namely
Warranty Deed - a real estate deed in which the seller guarantees the security of the title.
