Hi!  I've seen this too, in property documents way back when in my little town of Wallace, Idaho.  One thought is that it may have insured and hastened the transfer of property to the wife upon the husband's death.  Ron Roizen

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From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Leland Ness
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VA-HIST] Land titles

Hi there,

I have several questions that have arisen in the last several decades of my local history quest, but I figure I will start with the easiest.  It is probably one that many subscribers will know off the top of their heads.

In researching land titles at the local courthouses for the period
1890-1920 I often find that ownership is listed solely in the name of the wife of a married couple.

I guess this could be interpreted as evidence of an early "woke" and progressive Virginia, but I suspect the reason is more prosaic.  Real estate taxes were levied regardless of who technically owned the property, but perhaps there were benefits in the event of bankruptcy? Or perhaps intestate death?  Did they not have joint tenancy with rights of survivorship?

Any thoughts on why a married couple would put their house in the name of the wife only in that period?

Many thanks

Leland Ness

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