Description:

The course is a practicum-based approach to developing metes & bounds land platting skills and using plats to solve genealogical problems. Sessions cover reading and abstracting metes & bounds legal land descriptions; hand drawing plats; computer platting (DeedMapper software); platting over base maps; dealing with common plat problems (meanders, multiple meanders, imprecise boundary descriptions); constructing connected tract maps; and geo-locating base maps and plats. Historical surveying practices and on-line resources are also discussed.

Students will spend a significant amount of the course using DeedMapper software working practicum problems that derive from real-world research. The practicum portfolio allow students to select exercises that stress specific skills, align with their own research, and cover different geographic locales. Practicum problems include dealing with errors in boundary descriptions (such as scrivener’s errors and reciprocal bearings), using on-line records & resources, platting over a USGS base map, finding and using other base maps (such as historic land ownership maps), neighborhood construction, dealing with imprecise land descriptions, leveraging on-line GIS systems, urban plats, and other topics.

Student Prerequisites:

• Exposure to legal land descriptions (metes & bounds, not Public Land Survey System) in land documents such as deeds, patents, surveys, etc. The ability to decipher and understand these descriptions is not necessary. The course instruction will cover parsing and reading metes & bounds land descriptions.
• DeedMapper software. The current version is 4.2. Purchase and install the software prior to the course. You do not need to know how to use it – we’ll be teaching that. You do need to have it installed and ready to use on the first day. DeedMapper is a Windows program. If you use a Mac, please refer to the instructions for DeedMapper on Macs found at https://directlinesoftware.com/WordPress/index.php/deedmapper-on-macs/ . DeedMapper will run on Macs with Boot Camp, Parallels, or Crossover. The page contains a link to detailed instructions for an installation on Crossover.
• DeedMapper software is available from Direct Line Software at https://directlinesoftware.com/.
• Download is at https://directlinesoftware.com/WordPress/index.php/downloads-store/. One option there is for the full software package; the other is for an upgrade to version 4.2 for users who have a prior version.
• Familiarity with their computing environment. Students must know how to organize files and folders on their laptop: creating folders, storing files in folders, etc.
• Bring a red pencil and a supply of pencils for drawing to class.
• Having Google Earth Pro (desktop version) installed may be beneficial, but is not required.

Recommendations:

None

What to Expect:

• Course materials include solutions for all practicum problems so that students leave with guided solutions for all practicums, not just those that they work on during the week. Students are encouraged to bring their own platting research problems; there will be opportunity for consultation with faculty on individual research.
• Materials for hand-platting will be provided at the institute. If you wish to purchase your own prior to the institute, you will need a land plat or land measure compass. These are available from Forestry Suppliers at https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/p/47922/59201/forestry-suppliers-land-measure-compass. You will also need a ruler with 1/10 inch divisions (not the typical 1/16, 1/8, etc.) and millimeter/centimeter divisions. One suggestion is the Westcot B-55 ruler. One supplier is https://www.acesewing.com/C-THRU-by-Westcott-B-55-6-Inch-10ths-Metric-Bevele-p/sku16718.htm. You can also purchase it through Forestry Suppliers at https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/p/47450/59261/westcott-transparent-ruler.

NOTE: All times are listed in Eastern Time.
Live Sessions may be subject to schedule adjustments by your course coordinator.