Q: I am trying to figure out what abbreviations meant in early documents from land registry books. Specifically, there is an abbreviation that looks something like "B&P" which is neither a mortgage nor a deed transfer (those are clear). One example: Original patent to John Lemmon, Donald Cameron B&P Dec 10 1814 to Donald McDonald is the next line, John Lemmon et al to Donald Cameron B&P April 1 1814 is the third line
A: [From Bob] It wouldn't mean Bought & Paid?
[From Patty] In Brenda Dougall Merriman's book Genealogy in Ontario, there is a really good section on Land Records. I did not find B&P, but I did find B&S-meaning "bargain and sale". Perhaps this is a variation of that. There are other abbreviations-M for mortgage, QC or Rel for Quit Claims or Releases, A of M or D/M for assignmnets and discharges of mortgages, etc. Now what those all mean I have no idea! Hope it helps...
[From Andrew] The nearest I can figure is that it's a legal acronym for "Bid and Proposal". If you see this link and near the bottom it references B. & P. as part of the case law about indemnification of debt when that debt must shared amongst two parties so involved in the transaction. This is not the only place that B&P shows up as part of land transactions, but seemed to be a concrete example. Also it could be Business and Profession - but that seems highly unlikely, and hardly relevant. Hope this can help. Andrew
[From Anonymous] I do believe that should be B&S which would mean bought and sold.
Do you have an answer for this question?
Q: I have looked into Land Records for my ancestors and need to know what to do with the "instrument numbers" that I now have. Is there somewhere that I can access these items? What will be shown on these? Some are deeds and some are wills.
A: From Lorine Schulze: Abstract Indexes to Deeds are by specific property. So for eg you might look up Conc 1, Lot 26, anywhere Township, Someplace County. You will see list, line by line, with Instrument #s on the left, dates, brief synopsis of the type of land transaction, names of parties involved, etc.
When you spot a record of interest, you copy the Instrument # and then obtain the full record (deed, indenture, will, etc) Many are on microfilm.
Usually there is a long description of the exact piece of land (outside boundaries), plus names of all persons involved in the transaction. There will be witnesses and a date. You may also find names of other people, such as heirs, or children --- it all depends what the transaction is. Wills are just that - wills that have been filed with the land records.
Some of the instruments I obtained in my searches of land records contained first names of wives - which had been unknown to me before finding them mentioned in the land records. So it's a valuable resource!
See http://olivetreegenealogy.com/can/ont/land.shtml for more help and explanations
Do you have an answer for this question?
Q: I would like to do some research on the Land Titles & Registry in Ontario. Where it started, when it started, how it started, etc. I worked in the Port Arthur Land Titles & Registry Office 50 years ago, & at that time it was under the Attorney General's Department of Ontario. I don't think it is now, but I would like any help on how I could get information about the beginnings of the Offices in Ontario. Thanks in Advance
A: [From Cathy] Originally all land in Ontario belonged to the Crown. Although there were small areas of settlement in 1763 after the British took over, major settlement of Upper Canada began in 1783 and utilized Crown Grants. Many early settlers, both military and civilian, submitted land petitions to the Governor in order to obtain Crown land. Up to 1826 free land grants were available to all settlers, to government favourites, and to UEL children. In 1826 these free grants were abolished except Loyalist grants and soldiers, and anyone wanting Crown land had to buy it. Here is a useful web page with more information on that: http://olivetreegenealogy.com/can/ont/land.shtml
Do you have an answer for this question?
Q: My ancestor in applying for land (& trying not to choke over the sugar melting in his mouth, apparetnly) reassures the council that he is not "affiliated with the Ryerson Faction" & other land petitions of family members refer also to "internal commotions"& "the MacKenzie Rebellion". What were these matters?
A: [From Suzanne Schaller] -- The MacKenzie Rebellion took place in 1837. See: The 1837 Rebellions and Rebellion of 1837 overview for more information. I'm not sure about the Ryerson Faction, but an online search might tell you something.
[From Leanne] -- The 1837 MacKenzie rebellion was instigated by William Lyon MacKenzie; earlier in his career as a reform politician, he'd been allied with Reverend Egerton Ryerson, a Methodist minister and moderate reformer. As MacKenzie's politics became more radical, he and Ryerson parted ways. Nevertheless, neither would have been greatly appreciated by the corrupt, conservative Tory regime in place at the time. So yes, the ancestor in question was definitely "sucking up" in order to be assured of a land grant LOL (nor do I blame him...that was something too important to fool around with).
Do you have an answer for this question?
