Using Maps and Platting Land for Genealogy

 Ease the inherent intimidation associated with understanding land descriptions, especially Metes and Bounds descriptions. This will be an interactive workshop where I will discuss researching and interpreting land records, demonstrate the platting process and have attendees practice using provided examples. I expect it to take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. The handout will include information, forms and links that cand be helpful in platting PLSS as well as Metes and Bounds land descriptions. 

 Platting your ancestors land can help answer questions and add much needed context to your family  story. Understand the differences and similarities of the Metes and Bounds Survey and the Public Land  Survey Systems. This interactive workshop will help you learn how to read land descriptions and with a  few simple tools, teach you how to draw a plat of your ancestor’s property and place it on any map! Needed for this workshop are items as common as a ruler and a protractor. A ruler that measures 10ths  of an inch and a land protractor are preferred but not essential. If you do not have these items, they will  be available at the workshop for use to practice your hand at platting land descriptions. Seeing your  ancestors land platted on a map can shine a new light and offer insight to their life and livelihood. Feel  free to bring your own land records if you need help deciphering them