Let me qualify this thread, I live and work in a PLSS state. That is, the land is Sectionalized. However, many aspects of this also apply to other methods.
The lands in the State of Arkansas, around where I live, were divided into Sections, circa 1838-1842. There were standards of closure that were supposed to be met. However, not all of them met these standards. So, they "fudged the notes" to make them meet standards.
But, IF you can FIND an original GLO corner, it HOLDS. It is the LEGAL corner.
What got me going on this, was I had 3 surveys, (By another surveyor, now deceased) that did not close, by varying degrees. (They were 5-10 acre pieces) The closure errors were 81 feet, 158 feet, and some 80 feet.
I had been out there, shortly AFTER it had been surveyed, by a "Bad" surveyor. (He's the one who generated the descriptions) I was around 15 yrs old. I was helping my dad. I SAW the blaze and paint on a white oak tree.
Dad was quite frustrated by the sloppy work, that he saw. We never finished our work, because the client went another direction, when he saw what was going one.
Fast foreward. Today. I get hired to survey it.
Now, I REMEMBER the white oak, and the blaze. I use it to develop search zones. PRESTO. I find a 1/2" conduit, buried.
I yield to this conduit, because it agrees with the oak tree. It is a line marker.
So, even though the landowners have had BAD descriptions for over 35 years, these bad descriptions just sat there. Until I got to fix things today.
The "Bad" surveys served quite well until today.
Now, I get to fix things. And, there will be no problem, BECAUSE I found the original marks, and used them.
Sometimes, we get frustrated, because we don't have enough evidence, to RETRACE a survey, that contains errors. However, IF we can FIND the right corners, we can "update" the numbers on the deeds, and let the community continue to live.
It is a service, we can provide.
And, those "bad" surveys did their jobs.... put off doing it right, until a day, when it can be done well. And, by FINDING adequate evidence, of their location, no big harm came to anybody.
RETRACEMENT is a big word, and a big part of what we do.
Happy surveying to all.
Nate