Mortgage and lien records document financial obligations tied to property. These records can reveal ownership, debt, economic status, and relationships between individuals and institutions. Term Definition Amortization Gradual repayment of loan over time. Assignment Transfer of mortgage from one lender to another. Borrower Person receiving loan secured by property. Collateral Property pledged as security for […]
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Chancery and equity courts handled cases involving fairness rather than strict legal rules, including disputes over estates, guardianships, property, and trusts. These records often contain rich genealogical details and specialized legal terminology. Term Definition Bill of Complaint Formal written statement initiating an equity case. Chancellor Judge presiding over chancery court. Chancery Court Court handling equity […]
Background Historical Occupation Profiles explain what ancestors actually did for a living and how those occupations shaped the records genealogists rely on today. Occupation Overview Tailors made, altered, and repaired clothing for individuals and families. In the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, tailoring was a skilled trade practiced in small shops, homes, and later […]
Sheriff’s sales and property auctions were legal processes used to satisfy debts, taxes, or court judgments. These records often appear in court proceedings and newspaper notices and contain terminology related to forced sales, creditors, and property transfer. Term Definition Appraisal Valuation of property prior to sale. Auction Public sale of property to highest bidder. Auctioneer […]
Border crossing records document the movement of individuals between countries, particularly across land borders such as the United States–Canada and United States–Mexico borders. These records often include personal details, travel information, and immigration status terminology. Term Definition Admission Official permission to enter a country. Alien Person who is not a citizen of the destination country. […]
Background Historical Occupation Profiles explain what ancestors actually did for a living and how those occupations shaped the records genealogists rely on today. Occupation Overview Postmasters were responsible for managing local post offices and overseeing the distribution of mail within their communities. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the post office served as a […]
Bankruptcy and insolvency records document financial distress and the legal process of resolving debts. These records often include terminology related to court proceedings, asset distribution, and creditor claims, and can provide valuable insight into an ancestor’s financial circumstances. Term Definition Adjudication Legal declaration that a person is bankrupt. Assets Property or resources owned by debtor. […]
Background Historical Occupation Profiles explain what ancestors actually did for a living and how those occupations shaped the records genealogists rely on today. Occupation Overview Printers and printing press operators produced newspapers, books, pamphlets, and other printed materials using mechanical presses and typesetting systems. In the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, printing was a […]
Draft registration cards were created during periods of military conscription and contain valuable personal information about eligible men. These records often include standardized fields and terminology describing identity, residence, occupation, and physical characteristics. Term Definition Address Residence of registrant at time of registration. Age Age of individual on registration date. Board Number Identifier for local […]
Background Historical Occupation Profiles explain what ancestors actually did for a living and how those occupations shaped the records genealogists rely on today. Occupation Overview Masons and bricklayers were skilled tradesmen who constructed buildings, walls, chimneys, foundations, and other structures using brick, stone, and mortar. In the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, they played […]