by Judy G. Russell | Jun 12, 2020 | Legal definitions |
The language of the law. Part Latin, part Anglo-Saxon, all confusing. Note: As we all struggle to come to terms with current events, it may prove helpful to look back at some of our history. Believing firmly that knowing how we got here may help us all see the way...
by Judy G. Russell | Apr 3, 2020 | Legal definitions |
Epidemic versus pandemic In case there is anyone out there who’s been living under a total information blackout for the last month or more, the world is experiencing a pandemic. Now you might think that the shelter-at-home orders under which The Legal...
by Judy G. Russell | Mar 9, 2020 | Court Cases, Legal definitions |
Another look at admiralty law The judicial power of the United States, according to Article III of the United States Constitution, shall extend “to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made,...
by Judy G. Russell | Jan 30, 2020 | Legal definitions, Methodology, Statutes |
When speling wazn’t standerd Reader Austin Gray is struggling with a document from the Laurens District of South Carolina from the early 1800s where one of his ancestors relinquishes her right of dower in a piece of property being sold by her husband. The hitch:...
by Judy G. Russell | Dec 17, 2019 | Court Cases, Legal definitions |
A stressful situation for all One sofa, valued at $10.00. Two carpets, another $10.00. A hearth rug, 50 cents. A table cloth and a looking glass, $3.00 each. A bureau, $8.00. Six chairs, $6.00. A small table, $2.50. A small glass, 50 cents. Blinds, $2.00. A rocking...
by Judy G. Russell | Dec 4, 2019 | Legal definitions |
Stop it! at least between Saturday and Monday… The Legal Genealogist freely confesses. I am definitely a law geek. I could spend hours reading old law books, court cases and — yes — even legal dictionaries. Because you never know what you’re...
by Judy G. Russell | Nov 29, 2019 | Legal definitions |
Giving a break It’s the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States. Some people got up at the crack of dawn to stand in line to grab the bargain of the year in what are called Black Friday sales. Some others — and The Legal Genealogist makes no...
by Judy G. Russell | Nov 19, 2019 | Legal definitions |
Not on the planet Arrakis but… The Legal Genealogist is scrambling to try to catch a bunch of different balls now in the air without letting too many of them hit the ground and bounce. So you know what that means, right? Yup. More 2019 legal alphabet soup. We’re...
by Judy G. Russell | Aug 26, 2019 | Legal definitions |
That curly thing on documents Reader Kate Trigger Duffert needed some help with a symbol that appeared on an ancestor’s will and, in searching for an answer, came across an older blog post about the marks our ancestors often used to sign documents. “Found this...
by Judy G. Russell | Aug 16, 2019 | Legal definitions, Resources |
One more option for legal terms Earlier this week, reader Patricia Victor was puzzling out the meaning of the legal Latin term levari facias. She’d already tried an online version early edition of Black’s Law Dictionary1 — The Legal...