Currently working on a survey, originally a 4 sided public utility parcel. Early on the town deeded a small strip of the R.O.W. State P.U.C. involved, so that the erected building was fully on the lot. Several deeds were transacted with 2 tracts.
I start off with the current deed and the first 2 tract deed as referenced. The 2 tract deed makes it a 6 sided parcel, current deed has only 5 courses with more precise bearings and distances and references a survey date. After plotting it out, I move the 5th course to be a 6th course and make a best guess at the missing 5th course. Reconn finds one called for concrete monument at fence corner/termination of 4th course, a sound under asphalt at POB/termination of 6th course and a good size pile of debris. Two hours digging and dragging out debris with a chain and a jeep and we are close to the sound at the termination of 5th course.
Go back to courthouse to fill out the record chain of title. From current deed reference go back 2 deeds to a sheriffs sale with no reference. Start at past called for deed owner name to get grantor record to search forward and bring it up on computer, cannot find it. Big huh! and head scratching. So I search for the deed, why can't I find a deed I already have? Light comes on, I am searching by name and municipality, try deed book page and recover it. Think, pause, think, Bingo. I am using the municipality name and Borough, retry search using same name and Municipality Township, deed was misfiled. Do search again for grantor in municipality Township and get next deed and so on bye changing the grantee to grantor to fill out the record. The parcel was surveyed in December 1996 with a 5 course 1997 deed. Subsequently a 6 course correction deed with different street name is filed. It appears the street was originally named and changed, and the original name was used to rename a cross street 1/2 block away.
My assumed 5th course was spot on for distance and 13" off on course, 0.004'.
So to make my point, the correction deed included the incorrect description on page 2 and the corrected description on page 3. For the next transaction the original incorrect description was reused and the correct description ignored and so on. The intent is to write a new description without detailing the incorrect description and hope the story ends.
Reported the misfiling to Records Office Clerk and hope that ends also.
What do you find in correction deeds and how do you produce them?
Paul in PA
Every County has its own quirks. A one size fits all will not be found. There are some tid-bits that apply most places.
Rule 1, Tell the story. Put your detailed pattern of evidence on paper.
Rule 2, Put it where it will be found. I work in recording States. We can file all form of documents to preserve our work. Be sure you choose the one (or group) that is likely to be uncovered during typical research. I hate tracking down 'misc documents' that clearly should have been affidavits annotated on Plats, etc.
I run into all form of 'Correction Deeds', most of which are without meaning. Most places require the acknowledgment of the original parties or their successors / assigns. Maybe 1 in 20 that I see meet that standard. Many that do are acknowledged by a valid party far removed from the original. Citing that chain would be a blessing as well...
To end this ramble- I would say leaving the record correct is part of our basic duty as a Professional. It is also the thing that makes local knowledge invaluable.
Good Luck, Tom
