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Guide for Hiring Women during World War II

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The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. It was a guide for hiring women. This was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the workforce during World War II . a mere 62 years ago! Obviously, the intent was not to be .funny. but, by today’s standards, this is hilarious!

Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees: There’s no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage. Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It.s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. General experience indicates that “husky girls”, those who are just a little on the heavy side, are more even-tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire, a special physical examination, one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but also reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

5. Stress at the outset the importance of time, the fact that a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they.ll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.

7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms, Women are often sensitive; they can’t shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman, it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girls husband or father may swear vociferously, she’ll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

11. Get enough size variety in operator.s uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can’t be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

The Dead Members

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The deceased members of Mathewson Post No. 109, G. A. R., are:

William Isham, First Michigan battery;
Maj. Joseph Mathewson, Eighteenth Connecticut;
James Pheasant, One Hundred ninety-first Pennsylvania;
John P. Sullivan, General Grant’s cipher clerk;
Daniel Desmond, New York Cavalry;
William Bishop, Illinois volunteer;
John Kyner, Seventy-third Ohio;
George Brady, company and regiment unknown;
Uriah Gregory, Forty-third Wisconsin;
W. H. Roberts, physician Twentieth Ohio;
John Bondurant, Fifty-first Missouri;
D. A. Amerine, Twenty-first Iowa;
Captain Plummer, Sixteenth Ohio;
Captain Hall, unknown;
John Geiger, Mexican war veteran;
George Gordon, company cook;
George Davenport, First Ohio light artillery;
I. W. Smith, Forty-second Ohio;
William Winter, unknown;
William H. Lowe, unknown;
Thomas J. Harter, Forty-first Illinois;
W. M. Robertson, Forty-second Illinois;
J. Romine, Seventy-third Indiana;
C. W. Braasch, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin;
August Bergmann, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin;
Fred Dedermann, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin;
W. S. Beels, Fifteenth Indiana;
O. P. Hirsch, company G, Ninth Pennsylvania infantry.

Charter members and the first officers were:

W. H. Widaman, commander;      A. N. McGinnis, senior vice commander;

F. W. Richardson, junior vice commander;      Al Bigelow, quartermaster;

L. C. Washburn, chaplain;      A. L. Macomber, surgeon;

Henry E. Davis, officer of the day;      Herman Gerecke, adjutant;

James Clark, officer of the guard;      Peter Schwenk, sergeant major;

E. R. Perry, sentinel;

J. A. Light, Walter Powell,      George Vinson,      W. H. Lowe,

C. W. Braasch,      D. W. Dean,      A. N. Yost,      H. Rightmeier,

J. B. Flemingan,      B. E. Reed,      J. S. McClary

Records of the adjutant of Charles Mathewson Post No. 109, G. A. R.
show the following members:

Iowa: J. A. Light, “H” Twelfth infantry
H. H. Miller, “E” Second cavalry
E. Ladhoff, “G” Eighth infantry
R. W. Mills, “B” Forty-sixth infantry
E. P. Weatherby, “C” Forty-fourth infantry
Charles Long, “B” Fifteenth infantry.

Illinois: J. S. McClary, “B” Thirteenth infantry
Dr. W. H. H. Hagey, “B” Thirteenth infantry
H. Warner, “A” One Hundred and Eighth infantry
W. J. Bovee, “E” Seventh infantry
C. P. Byerly, “A” Thirty-seventh infantry
J. E. Rouse, “K” One Hundred and Fifty-seventh infantry
W. R. Beswick, “G” Seventeenth infantry.

Wisconsin: Herman Gerecke, “C” Sixteenth infantry
H. C. Matrau, “G” Sixth infantry
Frank Krieger, “F” Second cavalry
J. H. Van Horn, “B” Forty-eighth infantry
H. M. Roberts, “F” Thirty-ninth infantry.

Pennsylvania: B. E. Reed, “I” Fifteenth infantry
Sam Park, “E” Eleventh infantry
M. J. Kennedy, “C” Fifty-second cavalry.

Ohio: W. H. Widaman, “C” First infantry, “B” Second infantry
A. N. McGinnis, “H” Eighty-second infantry
J. S. Morrow, “E” Sixtieth infantry
J. B. Barnes, “E” First light artillery.

Indiana:  Peter Schwenk, surgeon
N. A. Rainbolt, “H” Seventh infantry
George Dudley, “F” Seventh cavalry.

Michigan: A. L. Macomber, sergeant major, Tenth cavalry.

Nebraska: C. F. Eisely, “A” Second cavalry.

Approximate Ages of Ancestors Fighting in Wars in USA

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1st column indicates if born between the years,                                                                                           2nd column names the war,                                                                                                                   3rd column indicates dates of the war:

1600-1644   Dutch Indian War   1655-1664

1626-1656   Bacon.s Rebellion   1676

1639-1743   Inter-Colonial Wars   1689-1763

1713-1743   Pontiac.s Rebellion   1763-1766

1720-1750   Boston Massacre   1770

1715-1770   American Revolution   1775-1883

1740-1791   Indian Wars   1790-1811

1756-1802   War of 1812   1812-1815

1762-1812   Black Hawk War   1832

1780-1820   Texas War (Alamo)   1836

1796-1828   Mexican War   1846-1848

1806-1849   Civil War   1861-1865

1849-1880   Spanish-American War   1898

1870-1900   World War I   1914-1918

1900-1930   World War II   1939-1945

1910-1935   Korean War   1950-1953

1915-1957   Vietnam War   1956-1975

C. F. A. Marquardt

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C. F. A. Marquardt and lady are the happy possessors of a brand new baby. Came last Tuesday.  Source: Norfolk Journal, Friday May 18, 1883, page 3.

A check of the census records shows Chas. F. A. Marquardt and his wife had a baby girl.

Meadow Grove News

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Meadow Grove, Nebraska

Information extracted by Richard Strenge

A look at the Meadow Grove News newspaper from years ago gives us great ideas and clues of where to search for more information on family and friends of our ancestors.

Margaret and Burnell Gore of York, are spending the summer vacation with their grandparents Mr. and Mrs. J. W. White.

Mrs. J. G. Wiese left Tuesday morning for Gauze, Tex., where she will spend three or four weeks with her sister, Mrs. C. Bowling.

Mrs. Lister and son, Wm. Harrison, who returned from overseas a few days ago, were visitors at the home of Mrs. Lister.s brother, George Carter, the greater part of last week. They returned to their home at Spencer, Nebr. last Saturday.

Miss Leopal Hawkins left for Ainsworth last Friday to spend the vacation season with her sisters, Miss Elsie and Mrs. Funk. She expects to be gone about six weeks.

Mrs. Uehling and daughter, Miss Dorothy, of Omaha, are visitors at the homes of W. H. Bosse and E. M. Uehling.

Miss Edna B. Anstine has contracted for the second year as teacher of Dist. No. 18, at an increased salary.

Source: Meadow Grove News, Friday June 27, 1919 on page 1.

 

Mrs. John Edwards is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Dogan, near Chadron.

John Edwards and his daughter Miss Hazel, and Mrs. G. M. Hayden were in Norfolk Tuesday attending the funeral of Mr. DeFrance.

Grant White, a nephew of C.N. Hutchins, who was in the aerial service, was recently mustered out, and is now located at Petersburg, Neb.

Donald Cloyd went to Norfolk Monday to have his tonsils removed. He was accompanied by his sister, Miss Cora.

Mrs. Chas. P. Michael left here Monday for her home at Mena, Arkansas, after a pleasant visit to her sister, Mrs. E. H. Brewer.

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cunningham of Plainview, spent Sunday with Mrs. Cunningham.s mother, Mrs. Sarah Brown.

Mrs. I G. Alyea moved to Douglass, Wyo., where her son is in the auto tire repairing business.

Mrs. Mason and son Donald, Mrs. E. H. Crook and daughter Pauline, and Mrs. Emmett Warrick and son Oliver motored to Norfolk Monday.

Misses Rose and Charlotte Hayden, accompanied by their little niece, left Saturday evening for Hyannis, where they expect to spend some time with their brother, E. R. Hayden, on his big ranch in Cherry county.

S. C. Blackman, the editor of the Tilden Citizen, one of our most valued exchanges, left Tilden very quietly a few days ago and went to Council Bluffs, Ia., accompanied by Miss Edith Cunningham of Tilden, and were united in marriage. The bride is well known in the Tilden community having been in the millinery business in that town for several years, and is a lady of high ideals. Mr. Blackman needed a wife as he had been living with his family at a hotel for a long time. An editor can get along so much better with a companion and we congratulate our brother on getting one to help him share the joys as well as sorrows of life incident to the life of a country editor.

Source: Meadow Grove News Friday, July 4, 1919 on page 1.

Mrs. S. A. Werner of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived here Wednesday to spend a few days with her brother, H. D. Weygint.

Charles H. and J. H. Stahl of Akron, Ohio, and J. C. Stahl of Boulder, Col., are spending a few days at the home of their sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Hansen.

A. J. Collins, accompanied by his wife, left town Monday noon for the scene of his boyhood days ion Baywood, VA., where he will spend a few weeks with his aged father. Eighteen years have elapsed since his last visit. Mrs. Collins, being a Nebraska lady will see so many things different from what they are here, that she, no doubt with her husband, will thoroughly enjoy the trip.

Source: Meadow Grove News Friday, July 11, 1919 on page 1.

Miss Elsie Hawkins came home Tuesday evening from Ainsworth, where she enjoyed a week’s vacation with her sister Mrs. Funk, to enjoy a two week’s vacation with her parents.

Miss Helen Nemce of Weston, Nebr., is enjoying the summer vacation with her aunt, Mrs. J. J. Machecek.

Mrs. Monte Carr, and her little niece, Theola Beech, returned from Bayard, last Thursday.

Mrs. Ed Crook and Mrs. Monte Carr are spending this week at Newman Grove, the guests of Mrs. Chas. Crook.

J. L. Jenkins and family of Venus, Nebr., was in town last Saturday and spent Sunday with Albert Jenkins and family.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Chittenden announce the arrival of a little girl at their home last Saturday morning.

Rev. F. W. Brink returned Tuesday evening from a short vacation at Grand Island and Hastings. He also visited his niece at York.

Source: Meadow Grove News Friday, July 18, 1919 on page 1.

J. R. Smith and family of University Place motored here Saturday. Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Smith went to Plainview to see his mother who is ill. Mr. Smith returned home Monday and Mrs. Smith remained to spend a few days with her sister, Mrs. E. H. Brewer.

Dave Ober and family from Bloomfield visited his mother last Thursday.

L. A. Brown and family of Seward, spent Sunday at the homes of C. C. Wilson and E. H. Brewer.

Miss Wilma Phillips of Battle Creek, was visiting her sister, Mrs. Walter Peterson last week.

Mrs. Bowen and children left here Monday for their home at Tecumseh, after a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Rouse.

Source: Meadow Grove News Friday July 25, 1919 on page 1.

1906 Teachers

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School Bells Ring Out

Another Term of Answering Roll Call Has Come  Superintendent is Hopeful

Mr. Bodwell Believes That This Will Be a Good Year—Twenty-Seven Teachers Preside at the Various Desks—How Vacations Were Spent.

School bells rang out on the morning air in Norfolk this morning for the first time in three months, and around the five Norfolk school houses there were, for the first time since last June, clusters of neatly gowned children, their faces and hands exceedingly clean, all nervous in the anticipation of the first day.s rush for the best seats and the sizing up of the new teacher.

It was impossible to tell today just how many pupils are enrolled in the schools this year, but it will be somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000. Twenty-seven teachers, all feeling in the best of spirits after three months of rest and recreation, took their places at school room desks this morning to look after the rising generation of this community during the coming nine months.

Superintendent Bodwell was enthusiastic in his hope for a good school year, and all of the teachers in the city seemed to share his confidence that the coming year will be one of the best that has ever been known in Norfolk.s public school system.  During the summer that has just past, the Norfolk school boys and girls have enjoyed varied forms of vacation and fun. Many of them have spent a portion of their time in camping beside some cool spring, some of them have been away for several weeks visiting uncles and aunts and grandfathers and grandmothers, some have spent the time at work and in learning something about this business or that, while others have just stayed at home to play baseball and fly kites the whole summer through.

Source: The Norfolk Daily News, Tues. September 4, 1906, page 3.

1906 – 1907 Norfolk Teachers

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Teachers Are Elected ; Special Meeting of Board of Education is Held            
Most Positions are Filled
Teachers for Norfolk’s City Schools Season 1906-07 Were Elected
at a Special Meeting of the School Board Held Last Night.

Teachers for Norfolk.s schools for the year 1906-07 were elected by the board of education at a special meeting which was held last night. Assignments have not yet been made.

Following are those elected: Miss Ida Von Goetz, principal high school;

Miss Gertrude Watson, A. J. Kennedy, Misses Pearl Reese, Nellie Fleming, Pearl McCormick, Ella Toomey, Louise Mathewson, Harriett Mather, May Olney, Ellen Mullen, Otelia Pilger, Lena Mills, Clara Rudat, Nell Dingman, Laura Durland, Nina Walker, Pearl Widaman, Clara Brueggeman, A. V. Mason, Minnie Sears, Nellie M. Collins, Carrie A. Brush, and Mr. Reese Solomon.

All are known in Norfolk excepting Miss Sears, who comes from Plainview: Miss Collins, Table Rock; Miss Brush, Ashland.

There is still a vacancy in the primary department and no teacher of sciences has yet been elected for the high school.

Source: The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal, Friday, May 4, 1906, page 6.

School District #43

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First Rural School Teacher is Elected

Although many rural school boards have arranged with their present teacher to stay next year, the first formal notice of selection of teacher for next fall arrived in the office of County Superintendent Alice Hall this week.

This notice records that Miss Helen Heckendorf has been elected to teach in District No. 43, at $90 a month, and is signed by Emil Rottler, director.  This will be the fourth year Miss Heckendorf has taught this school, it being the only school in which she has been instructor.  Two years ago, a modern building was erected in that district and the school standardized.

Miss Heckendorf is the great-grand-daughter of Rev. Heckendorf, who taught the children of the pioneers at Norfolk as their pastor, and the granddaughter of Louis Heckendorf, a member of the first public school board at Norfolk.

Last year almost half of the 75 rural teachers of Madison county remained in their positions.  It is hoped that this good record may be bettered this year.

Source: Madison Star-Mail, Thursday, April 3, 1930, page 1.

Military Veteran Burials

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150 Veterans of Wars Are Buried in Cemeteries Here

Norfolk today paid tribute to its war dead, 150 of whom are buried in cemeteries in this vicinity. There are graves of ninety Civil War veterans, fifty-one World War veterans, eight Spanish.American War veterans and one Mexican War veteran.

Civil War Veterans buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery

D. C. Amarine,

G. W. Beels, Levi Beemer, J. Bondurant, C. W. William Braasch, James Brady, Cyrus P. Byerly,

Samuel S. Cotton, John S. Craig, Chauncey Cronk,

Moses Daugherty, George Davenport, Daniel Desmond, Lathrop Doyle,

Charles Eble, Charles Eisley, Jacob R. Ellis,

Herman Gerecke, W. S. Glass, William Gleason, Daniel Goddard, John A. Green, Uriah Gregory, Alfred Groom,

W. H. Hagey, Thomas J. Harter, L. K. Hill,

W. O. Isham,

Henry F. Kennedy, M. J. Kennedy, I. Wilson King, Thomas Knoll, John Koenigstein, Frank Kriger,

Frederick J. Ladhoff, John Leitow, Charles Long, William H. Lowe, D. C. Lucas,

Pardon Marshall, J. M. Mathewson, John S. McClary, John S. McGinnis, Franz Mielenz, Dudley Miller, Henry Miller, R. W. Mills, John Myner,

Rasmus Nielson,

Samuel Park, J. G. Pheasant, J. W. Plummer, George Priestly,

N. A. Rainbolt, Burrel E. Reed, William Risor, H. M. Roberts, W. H. Roberts, W. M. Robertson, J. A. Romine, James S. Rouse,

J. W. Smith,

A. F. Tannehill, Charles Tracy,

James H. VanHorn, Daniel Vaughn,

K. L. Waters, Edmund Weatherby, J. C. Weills, Lucian Wells, William Widamon,

Alexander Zike

Civil War Veterans buried at Best Cemetery

M. J. Best,

Charles Fitch, John B. Flenniken,

Francis Henderson,

Joseph A. Light, William Low,

Robert McKibbon,

John T. Wollert

Civil War Veterans buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery

August Bergman, August Braasch,

Frederick Dedderman, Wilhelm Dommer,

August Moldenhauer,

August Raasch,

Wilhelm Winter

Civil War Veterans buried at Christ Lutheran Cemetery

Otto Phillip Hirsch,

August Lobnow,

William Monk

World War Veterans buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery

George Banta, Walter Bennett, Archie Burgess, Alfred Burns,

Wren Cranford,

Frank Deaver,

Robert T. Evans,

George Fairbanks, James Finley,

Christ George, Ralph M. Gottschall, Julius Graves,

Goodlow Hansen, Lester Haverstein, Roy Herrington, Charles Hyde,

John R. Johnston,

Fred John Kane, Edward Kennedy, Frank Killoran, Irvin Klentz,

Leo Long,

Everet Roy McCaslin, Joseph Miller,

Earl T. Nightingale, Forest Norton,

Otto Oertwich,

Charles Scheele, Claire Schultz, Harry Sclavos, Fred Smith,

Albert C. Vrinders, James E. Vrinders,

Frank Warner, Frank Weaver, Russell Welch, Elmer Wolfe, Frank P. Woock

World War Veterans buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery

Alfred Hille,

Oscar Machmueller

World War Veterans buried at Christ Lutheran Cemetery

Henry Benning, George Berner,

Charlie Carstensen,

John Flannagan,

Herman M. Porter,

Henry Schulz, W. Earl Shields

World War Veteran buried at Best Cemetery

William Moxley

World War Veteran buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery

Otto Fuhrmann

Spanish–American War Veterans buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery

Alfred N. Gerecke, Fred G. Gerecke,

Herbert King, Richard King,

Edward Marquardt, John Warren McClary,

John Thorburn

Spanish–American War Veteran buried at Christ Lutheran Cemetery

Alexander Pillar

Mexican War Veteran buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery

John Geiger

(Note: This is from an article in the newspaper. It does not include all veterans in Madison County and some of the names may be misspelled, but this is how it appeared in the newspaper.) (Abstracted by Richard Strenge)  Source:  The Norfolk Daily News,  Thursday, May 30, 1940, page 9.


Homesteading

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Homesteading        By Charlton Ryan

After President Lincoln was elected President, Congress passed the Homestead Bill on May 20, 1862. This bill made it possible for a person who met three conditions to file a claim for free land. The conditions were:

1. Be 21 years of age or older

2. Be a citizen of the U.S. or intend to become a citizen

3. Be a person who never bore arms against the U.S.

Those who met the conditions were entitled to 160 acres of land. Those who staked out their future property on railroad grant land, however, could only choose 80 acres.

The future landowner had to go to the nearest federal land office with a property description and file an application for the land. After filing, the applicant was allowed six months to move onto the land and begin making improvements. Then the applicant had to maintain “continuous residence” on the property from the time of filing until a five-year period was up. After five years, but not more than seven and a half years, the applicant could appear with two witnesses who were to testify that the applicant had met the terms of his land claim, which included making improvements. The settlers referred to this process as “proving up”. Once the claimant proved that he had met the requirements, the federal government issued him (or her) a land patent, which was essentially a deed to the homesteader’s land issued by the government.

Fewer than half the land claims made in Nebraska were ever proven, or completed. For various reasons, the claimants failed to prove up. Many claimants found the stipulation requiring five years of continuous residence too difficult, some found the conditions too harsh, some had problems with claim jumpers and/or Indians, some lost their lives, and others returned to families back home. Homesteaders earned their land, even if it was free.

Homesteading Terms 

Entryman Person filing the claim at the Land Office

Agent or land agent   Helped people who were new to the area find a suitable claim.  Sometimes an agent could help the homesteader describe the property in order to file the homestead application. Unfortunately, some land agents were unscrupulous and charged big prices.

Speculator  A person who either bought land from a settler with the intention of selling it at a higher price or a person who filed a claim with the intention of selling the land rather than living on it for five years. The land speculator might hire people to make fraudulent claims.

Commutation   To pay the declared federal price of the land in order to get a patent.

Preemption Right   A person who was already living on land before the government surveyors arrived frequently felt that because he lived there, he had the right to have that particular piece of property as his homestead. He felt he had a preemption right to the land.

Land Clubs  Were formed by groups of settlers in particular locations. They worked together to keep outsiders from their land club area. Forming a land club made it possible for settlers to live on unsurveyed land. After a survey, and after the government put the land up for sale, the land club members worked together to control land prices.

Jumper   Someone settling in on a previously occupied homestead, a claim jumper. If a homesteader ever left his land for a period of time, he left himself and his land open to the jumper. If the jumper could get to the land office and prove that the homestead was unoccupied, the jumper could take out a homestead application on the property.

Filing   The process of making an application for homestead land.

Patent   When the homesteader had fulfilled all requirements for property ownership, the government issued him or her a patent, similar to a deed proving ownership.  Copies of patents issued to homesteaders may be obtained from the Government Land Office

Relinquishment   Throwing in the towel. Giving up the homesteading process.  Leaving.  Or selling out to a jumper. 

Proving Up   Proving to the land office that the terms of making a homestead were completed.

Squatter   A person illegally living on government land. 

Saline Land Grant   Government land around salt springs which was turned over to the state. Nebraska got 72 sections of land this way.

LAND MEASUREMENTS

1 Link = 7.92 Inches

1 Rod = 16 ½ Feet

5 ½ Yards = 25 Links

1 Chain = 66 Feet = 4 Rods = 100 Links

1 Furlong = 660 Feet = 40 Rods

1 Mile = 8 Furlongs = 320 Rods = 80 Chains = 5280 Feet

1 Square Rod = 272 ¼ Sq. Feet = 30 ¼ Sq. Yards

1 Acre = 43,560 Square Feet

1 Acre = 160 Square Rods

1 Acre is approximately 208 ¾ Feet Square

1 Acre is 8 Rods x 20 Rods

(Or any two numbers of Rods whose product is 160

===================================

{ The year for the November program listed below was not listed.  This was a program given to the Madison County Genealogical Society. }

The November Program was presented by Nancy Gross, Madison County Register of Deeds. She presented the following terms, and talked about her family history in the county.

Abutting Owner: One whose land is contiguous to (abuts) a public right of way.

Access Right: A right to ingress and egress to and from one’s property. May be expressed or implied.

Administrator’s Deed: A Deed issued by the Administrator of an estate.

Adverse Possession: A method of acquiring title by possession under certain conditions. Generally, possession must be actual, under claim of right, open, continuous, notorious, exclusive and hostile (knowingly against the rights of the owner) in Nebraska.

Cloud of Title: An Invalid encumbrance on real property, which if valid, would affect the rights of the owner. For example: Tim sells Lot 1, Block B to Bob. The deed is mistakenly drawn up to read Lot 1, Block A. A cloud is created on Lot 1, Block A by the recording of the erroneous deed. The cloud may be removed by Quitclaim Deed or, if necessary, by Court action.

Condemnation: The taking of private property for public use without the consent of the owner, but only upon payment of just compensation.

Conservator’s Deed: Deed issued by a court appointed Conservator (Guardian) of an estate. (May involve an incompetent person or a person under age [minor]).

Construction Lien: See Mechanic’s Lien.

Corporation Warranty Deed: Deed used when property is sold out of a Corporation.

Corrective Deed: The recording of a Deed for a second time to correct an error made in the deed when originally recorded.

Deed: Instrument used to convey interest in real property.

Deed of Distribution: Deed issued by Personal Representative of an estate.

Deed of Trust: Instrument used in place of a mortgage. Property is transferred to a Trustee by Borrower in favor of the lender. Released by Deed of Reconveyance by Trustee.

Defective Title: Title to real property which lacks some of the elements necessary to transfer good title.

Easement: A right created by grant, reservation, agreement, prescription, or necessary implication, which one has in the land of another. Either for the benefit or access, or public utility, etc.

Encroachment: Generally, construction onto the property of another, as of a wall, fence, building, etc.

Encumbrance: A claim, lien, charge, or liability attached to and binding real property.  Any right to or interest in, land which may exist in one other than the owner, but will not prevent the transfer of the title.

Equitable Interest: Interest by one who does not have legal title, such as a vendee under a land contract.

Equity: The market value of real property, less the amount of existing liens.

Evidence of Title: A document establishing ownership to property. Most commonly, a deed.

Executor’s Deed: Deed issued by the executor of an estate.

Federal Tax Lien: A lien attaching to the property for nonpayment of a federal tax.

Fee Simple: An estate under which the owner is entitled to unrestricted powers to dispose of the property, and which can be left by will or inherited. Commonly, a synonym for ownership.

Filed: Recorded

Filing Information: Information stamped on the original document received by the Register of Deeds showing date and time or recording, as well as Book and page, Instrument No. or Microfilm location of instrument. All recorded instruments contain filing information.

Final Decree: A decree completely deciding all pending matters before a court.

Financing Statement: Document having a Debtor/Creditor relationship. If filed against the real estate, it is considered a lien upon the real estate.

Foreclosure: A proceeding in or out of court, to extinguish all rights, title, and interest, of the owners of property in order to sell the property to satisfy a lien against it.

Free and Clear: Real property against which there are no liens, especially voluntary liens.

Grantee: One to whom a Grant is made, generally the buyer.

Grantor: One who grants property, or property rights.

Inheritance Tax Lien: A Tax on the transfer of property from a deceased person.

Irrevocable: That which cannot be revoked or recalled, such as certain trusts, contracts or other legal relationships.

Intestate: Without leaving a will. Property of the estate passes by the laws of succession rather than by the direction of the deceased.

Involuntary Lien: A lien such as a tax lien, judgment lien, etc., which attaches to property without the consent of the owner, rather than a mortgage lien in which the owner agrees.

Joint Tenancy: An undivided interest in property, taken by two or more joint tenants. The interests must be equal. Upon the death of a joint tenant, the interest passes to the surviving joint tenants, rather than to the heirs of the deceased.

Joint Tenancy Warranty Deed: Deed conveying interest to 2 or more people (usually husband & wife) where upon the death of one of the parties, the deceased person’s interest passes to the surviving joint tenants. (If Deed does not recite, as joint tenants, then grantees hold title as Tenants In Common).

Judgment: The decision of a court of law. Money judgments, when recorded, become a lien on real property of the defendant.

Judgment Lien: A lien against the property of a judgment debtor. An involuntary lien.

Land Contract: An Installment Contract for the sale of land. The seller has legal title until paid in full. The buyer has equitable title during the contract term.

Lease: An agreement by which the owner of real property (lessor) gives the right of possession to another (lessee) for a specified period of time (term) and for a specified consideration (rent).

Lien: An encumbrance against property for money, either voluntary or involuntary.

Life Estate: An estate in real property for the life of a living person. The estate then reverts back to the grantor or on to a remainderman.

Lis Pendens: A legal notice recorded to show pending litigation relating to real property, and giving notice to anyone acquiring an interest in said property subsequent to the date of the notice may be bound by the outcome of the litigation.

Mechanic’s Lien: A lien created for the purpose of securing priority of payment for the price of value of work performed or materials furnished in construction or repair of improvements to land, and attaches to land as well as the improvements.

Mortgage: Instrument by which real estate is used as collateral to borrow money.

Notice of Default: Notice filed to show that the borrower under a Mortgage or Deed of Trust is in default.

Party Wall: A wall erected on a property boundary as a common support to structures on both sides, which are under different ownerships.

Patent Deed: Conveyance from the government, issued to homesteaders who have made final payment as evidenced by the Final Receipt.

Perpetuity: Continuing forever. Legally, pertaining to real property, any condition extending the inalienability of property beyond the time of a life or lives in being plus 21 years.

Perimeter: The boundary lines of a parcel of land.

Personal Representative’s Deed: Deed issued by the Personal Representative of an estate.

Plat: A map dividing a parcel of land into lots, as in a subdivision.

Power of Attorney: An authority by which one person (principal) enables another (attorney in fact) to act for him.

Prescriptive Easement: The granting of an Easement by a court, based on the presumption that a written easement was given, (although none existed), after a period of open and continuous use of the land.

Probate: Originally, the proving that a will was valid. Modernly, an action over which probate court has jurisdiction.

Property Line: The boundary line of a parcel of land.

Public Dominion Land: Lands belonging to the federal government, not reserved for government use, but subject to sale or other disposal.

Quarter Section: One quarter of a section, containing 160 acres.

Quiet Title: Court Action to establish ownership of real property.

Quitclaim Deed: Deed operating as a release, intended to pass any interest in a real property, but not containing any warranty. May be used to clear up clouded title.

Recording: Filing documents affecting the real property as a matter of public record.

Recorded Documents must be witnessed and notarized.

Remainderman: The one entitled to the remainder. (Ex: Sam deeds to Jim, Lot 1, but Sam retains a life estate in the property. When Sam dies, Jim, the remainderman owns the property exclusively).

Revocable: Capable of being revoked.

Right of Way: A strip of land which is used as a roadbed, either for a street, or railway.  The land is set aside as an easement for fee, either by agreement or condemnation. May also describe the right itself to pass over the land of another.

Security Agreement: Document having a Debtor/Creditor relationship. May be Chattel

Mortgages, Financing Statements, inventory Liens, etc. If filed against the real estate, it is considered a lien upon the real estate.

Sheriff’s Deed: Deed give at a Sheriff’s Sale in foreclosure of mortgage.

Special Warranty Deed: See Warranty Deed.

State Tax Lien: A lien attaching to the property for nonpayment of a state tax.

Subordination Agreement: An agreement by which an encumbrance is made subject (junior) to a junior encumbrance.

Substitution of Trustee: A document which is recorded to change the trustee under a Deed of Trust.

Survivorship Warranty Deed: Deed in which the surviving grantee receives interest of deceased grantees (See also Joint Tenancy Warranty Deed).

Tax Deed: Deed from tax collector to governmental body after a period of non-payment of taxes according to statute.

Tenancy in Common: An undivided ownership in real estate by two or more persons.  The interest need not be equal, and, in the event of the death of one of the owners, no right of survivorship in the other owner exists.

Treasurer’s Deed: Deed conveyed by the County Treasurer in lieu of Tax Foreclosure.

Trustee’s Deed: Deed used when property is sold out of a Trust (must be signed by Trustees).

Trustee’s Deed: Deed by a Trustee under a Deed of Trust, issued to a purchaser at auction, in pursuant to foreclosure.

Vendee: Purchaser or buyer, especially on a land contract.

Vendor: The person who transfers property by sale. Another word for seller.  Commonly used in land contract sales.

Vested: Present ownership rights, absolute and fixed. Modernly, ownership rights, even though on a land contract or subject to a mortgage or deed of trust.

Voluntary Lien: A lien placed against real property by the voluntary act of the owner.  Most commonly, a mortgage or deed of trust.

Warranty Deed: Deed to convey title in a real property containing warranties.

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This is how the sections are numbered within each township:

6       5      4     3     2     1

7      8      9    10   11   12

18    17  16   15   14   13

19    20   21   22   23   24

30    29   28   27   26   25

31   32   33   34   35   36

Each section is one square mile in size.

Each section contains 640 acres.

Each section can be divided into one-fourths (quarters). This

would be shown as NW 1/4 or NE 1/4 or SW 1/4 or SE 1/4.

This makes each quarter section of land 160 acres in size.

You can further breakdown the size by 1/4’s to obtain 40 acres.

This can be broken down further by 1/4’s to obtain 10 acres of land.

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Take another look at the records

When analyzing your ancestor’s land transactions, always make certain that the amount of property sold is essentially the same as what was purchased. If there is a significant difference, perhaps you overlooked a record, or perhaps property was obtained through an unrecorded deed or an inheritance. Source: Kin Seeker (Platte Valley Kin Seekers, Columbus, NE.) Vol. 21, Issue 4, Winter 2001.