This post is intended as a complement to the G2G post: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/555352/are-you-using-deeds-and-land-records-in-your-research?show=555352#q555352
As mentioned in that post, deeds can be useful genealogy tools. A very extensive set of images are available on familysearch.org for thousands of deeds for Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, from 1639 to 1885. It takes a just a little preparation to start researching them.
1. On the familysearch.org site, click Search Catalog.
2. Search for film # 493941. Should get result, a link: Records of deeds, 1639-1885; indexes to deeds, 1639-1920
3. Open the link and scroll down a little.
4. There are three general sets of indices - indices to grantors, indices to grantees, and "other persons," in sets divided by spans of years. Each index is many images, but they are in order by surname, most grouped under a chosen spelling with variants listed. The index entries list (at least) the volume and page where the transaction can be found. Many entries have associated names and a description of the transaction.
Here is an example of the use of the indices, and the deed books.
I'm interested in the surname Veazie / Vesey. So I looked in the indices for that surname.
1. In the long list of films, find [EDIT prev file incorrect] "Index-Grantee Sa-Zi v. 12-15 1639-1799" and open the filmstrip. I.e., Veazie variants would fall between "Sa" and "Zi" I suggest that you open it in a new tab by right-clicking the camera icon and selecting "Open in New Tab." You will want to open other files in that long list later.
2. Open image 538 [EDIT my apologies]. I had to scroll around a bit and open several images to zero in on that page.
3. At the bottom of the left-hand page, note an entry for Benjamin Veasey (Vesey, etc), a transaction with Joseph Nightingale, referencing vol 39, p 216.
4. Back in the long list of films, looking for volume 39, find "Deeds v. 39, 1725-1726" and open the filmstrip in a new tab.
5. Find page 216 of the deed book (hint: it's img 227 in the filmstrip) to find the indexed transaction on the right-hand page, half-way down. Once again, you may have to scroll around and test several pages to find the correct image.
N.B. the indices are available to 1920, but the deed books themselves go through only 1885.
Happy hunting!
