I see that Ancestry.com has just posted a new database made up of 3,784 new records from the digitized Savannah, Georgia Records of Titles 1791-1971. The data is mostly from the Laurel Grove Cemetery, although early entries also seem to be for the sale of city lots by the City of Savannah. The original data came from Laurel Grove Cemetery – Records of Titles. Savannah, Georgia: Research Library & Municipal Archives City of Savannah, Georgia.
The following is from the Ancestry.com website:
This database contains books of indentures between citizens and the city of Savannah, Georgia. Most are for the purchase of cemetery plots. These will include a name, date, the location of the burial plot, and price paid. Others are simply for lots, which will include name, date, cost, and lot location.
I noted that numerous witnesses’ signatures were found on many of the deeds.
The following books are all digitized and index-linked:
- 1820-1840 (1791-1850)
- 1822-1843 (1807-1843)
- Blacks, Book 2-A, Section P, 1884-1899
- Black, Book B, 1899-1912
- Blacks, Book C, 1912-1924
- Blacks, Book D, 1924-1971
- Whites, Book A, 1852-1863 (1852-1864)
- Whites, Book B, 1864-1882
This database is the sort of unique set of documents that genealogists don’t often think about, let alone get access to. The document can not only give the researcher information specific to their ancestor’s purchase, but places that ancestor in a specific place at a specific time. The witness signatures may also help is establishing relationships. Good stuff…
See the Ancestry.com website for this database. Note – Ancestry.com members will be able to click through directly to the database with this link. Non-members will be redirected with the opportunity to join Ancestry.com for a Free Trial period, or a full subscription. I am pleased to say that I have an Ancestry.com affiliate relationship, and plan to keep it that way for a long time.
