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From: "Rebecca Miller" <>
Subject: Re: land records questions - new to list
Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 12:12:49 -0400


Dear Donna:
The Nabb Center has deeds for Somerset County from inception of county to c1881. (We've just ordered more deeds to take us to 1900.) These are on microfilm.
The question of having the deeds and providing copies thereof and researching the chain of title to ensure correct deeds are sent are really two separate issues which should be considered whether one asks the Nabb Research Center or the county clerk's office for copies of the documents.
I can tell you the county clerk's office charges $.50 per page for documents. I know they do NOT do research to figure out what to send you. I suspect (but don't hold me to it :)) if you provide the names of the grantor and grantee (which you might be able to glean from Ruth Dryden's land records book) they will look up those specific deeds and copy the documents.
As for the Nabb Center, our rate of $15/hr plus a quarter a page for copies in excess of 3 per hour's payment, is in effect. We will ask you to be specfic with regard to your request. Be cautioned, that even asking us to look in the grantor/grantee indices and tell you how many deeds for an individual are listed, is research, takes time and we have no way of knowing whether it is the person or the property in which you are interested until we look at it. The indices for Somerset County are listed chronologically, but the actual dates are NOT listed next to the deed reference, so one is unable to ascertain which "John Miller" is party to the transaction because there is no date to guide.
There is also the option of hiring an someone experienced in researching land records or, of course, doing it yourself. All options involve expense. No matter which option you choose, you will save yourself money if you rent the land records indices from your local LDS library and provide at least some of the references you want. I hope this helps.
R.F. Miller
Director, Nabb Research Center, SSU

>>> <> 05/10 6:57 PM >>>
I am new to Maryland/Delmarva research, and hoping that some of you seasoned
veterans can help to steer me in the right direction.

I have found mention of a parcel of land that was owned by my ancestors.
What would be the best/easiest way to trace the ownership of that land back
through several owners - circa 1750s and 1760s?

The Nabb Center for Delmarva History & Culture sounds fabulous. Would the
center have the resources and the research personnel to be able to trace an
early land parcel back through several various owners?

To obtain copies of specific deeds, should I write to the Somerset Co. clerk,
or are there other sources for copies of deeds (for instance, does the Nabb
Center have copies of deeds?) If writing to the county clerk is best, could
someone give me an idea of the charge for copying early deeds?

I will appreciate all of the help and guidance you can offer.

Thank You,
Donna in Kansas

Researching: HEATH, WILSON, BROWN (and I don't know who else) in early
Somerset/Wicomico Co, MD

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