How to Read Old Land Grants, Deeds, and Claims

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Land grants, deeds, and claims are among the most reliable primary sources for historical research. They document who owned what land, when, and where — information that is foundational for genealogy, local history, and treasure research alike.

What Are the Different Types of Land Records?

Reading the Legal Description

Old land records use legal descriptions to identify parcels. The two most common systems in the United States are:

PLSS (Public Land Survey System)

Used in most western and midwestern states. Describes land by township, range, and section. Example: "NW¼ of Section 14, T3N, R2E"

Metes and Bounds

Used in original 13 colonies and some southern states. Describes property using natural features and compass directions. Example: "Beginning at the large oak tree, thence north 40 rods to the creek..."

What Are Common Challenges and How Do You Overcome Them?

• Handwriting — Old records are handwritten in period scripts. Practice with known documents before tackling unknown ones.
• Abbreviations — "do." (ditto), "viz." (namely), "inst." (this month), "ult." (last month) appear frequently.
• Changed boundaries — Counties split, merged, and renamed over time. The courthouse holding records may not be in the same county today.
• Missing records — Courthouse fires destroyed many county records, especially in the South during the Civil War.

Sources and further reading

Use these records and institutional guides to check the historical context and research methods discussed above. A general source does not independently verify every anecdote or estimate in an article.