The Very Basics

 

Here are the steps for getting started.   Let’s assume you have a deed, grant, or patent that you want to enter into the program….

 

Create a new deed file.

Open the File menu and select New.  You’ll be prompted to create a storage location for your new deed file.  Select Yes and enter a name for your deed project, e.g. Smith Family, or Elbow County Deeds.  Press OK.

Add a deed to the deed file

The Deed Entry form will automatically come up.

Fill out the deed entry form’s left side that contains factual information abstracted from the deed or grant.

Examine your deed’s wording and pull out as many types of abstracting information as you care to enter into the form.  For example, you may choose to enter only the buyer and seller, or perhaps you’d like to record other pieces of information as well.  Consideration is the term for the money involved, and Property Description is a short phrase such as “50 acres on Possum Run”.  For date fields we recommend you use a short form such as “23 Apr 1876”. 

Select the type of surveying method

Select Public Domain if the survey refers to sections, townships and ranges, otherwise select Metes and Bounds

Enter the survey information

In the case of a Public Domain survey, fill in the section, township and range information.  For Metes and Bounds surveys you will enter the description of the starting point of the survey and the direction and distance of the line that leaves that point.  Lines can have an optional description (“along Smith’s line”) and if they follow a creek you should select “Meander” line.  Once you have filled this out press Next to continue to the next point and line.  Repeat for each point and line in the survey. When you are done, select “to the beginning” and press OK.

Examine your parcel in the Plot View

You’ll be taken to the Plot View automatically. You should see your parcel highlighted in pink.  If you don’t see your parcel, open the Navigate menu and select Jump, or press the Z key.  Hold the left mouse button to move the parcel around.  Release the left button and click it once on the parcel to deselect the parcel.  Use PgUp and PgDn to change the display scale.

Optionally edit your deed

Press the Edit Deed button on the toolbar to edit the deed in the Deed Entry form.

Optionally examine your deed text in the Text View

Press the F6 key to go to the Text View.  Examine the text that was entered into the view.  It should closely resemble what you entered in the form.  You can modify the deed by typing in the window.  Return to the Plot View by pressing F5.

Optionally insert another deed

Open the Edit menu and select Append, or press the F10 shortcut key, or press the new deed button in the toolbar.  Fill out the Deed Entry form as previously described.

Save your deed file

Open the File menu and select Save As.  Give your deed file a name and press OK.