A few questions regarding "relinquishment of dower": Was a dower automatic to the new wife upon her marriage, and if so, did it apply to all of the husband's land/holdings upon the event of marriage? Was this typical within specific regions or territories, or common nationwide? In what time frame was this practiced? Obviously, a "relinquishment of dower" suggests the wife releases all claims to land being sold. However, would it have been necessary or required that the woman sign said "relinquishment" upon the sale of her husband's land? To ask another way, would the lack of a signed reliquishment signify that a man was single, or would the lack of the document be meaningless? Thank you, Marie McKinney To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html