Hello to the List Most of my research in within records prior to 1900 in local court houses and have wondered for a long time...I have questions for those in the know... The local courts in "olden times" would order that a deed be recorded which was that day proven by one or more of witnesses to the indenture, or by the person transferring the property as his own act...There are many cases of old original deeds still in the court houses that were never fully proven... Question # one....to whom do those old deeds belong? It was customary for the owner to pick up the original deed after it was recorded by the clerk, and often there are notes in the margins that reflect this. Question # two...does this practice of "proving and ordering the deed to be recorded" still exist? If not, What is this process now called and when did it change? Seems to me the deed is brought in and the taxes and fees are paid and the deed is immediately recorded, as I know from experience in working side by side with title searchers, they often ask the clerk for instruments that have not yet been recorded, i.e., they just received in the office. Thanks for professional input. Alice in Fluvanna To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html