The Original Survey
Recognition and Significance

The most comprehensive treatment of key elements of original surveys, and the research required to find them, which is an important issue in retracement surveys that has never been fully explored. It will help surveyors become familiar with the proper identification and requirements and find the appropriate evidence using proper procedures.

The most comprehensive treatment of key elements of original surveys and the research required to find original surveys, is an important issue in retracement surveys that has never been fully explored. It emphasizes the importance and the necessity of determining the creation of the title and its sources along with its accompanying survey or location. The case studies included in the book discuss the consequences when investigators do not follow complete research procedures, and act upon less information, even though the law requires otherwise. This is a practical guide for surveyors to become familiar with the proper identification and requirements and find the appropriate evidence using the right procedures.

This book is intended for the practicing surveyor and will be useful to the legal profession, historical researchers, federal land departments, and others interested in surveys.

Features

• This is the first book that focuses on identifying original surveys, written by one of the top consultants in the United States, who brings real case examples of both successes and failures
• Explains land separation techniques when more than one has been used previously.
• Includes numerous case examples providing context for surveyors and attorneys
• Discusses the relation between title creation and their transfer
• Addresses federal versus private surveys, their differences, and similarities

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 - The Elements of Title and its Significance

Chapter 3 – Types of Surveys

Chapter 4 - The Original Survey

Chapter 5 - Necessity of the Original Survey

Chapter 6 - Protracted Surveys

Chapter 7 - Special Cases – General

Chapter 8 - Finding the Original Survey

Chapter 9 - Retracing and Locating Original Surveys

Chapter 10 – Failure to find or honor the original survey

Donald A. Wilson, has just established a new company called Donald Wilson Consulting, LLC. He was previously president of Land & Boundary Consultants, and has been in practice for over 60 years, consulting to groups throughout the United States and Canada. He is both a licensed land surveyor and professional forester, having conducted more than 500 programs on a variety of topics, including description interpretation, boundary evidence, law, title problems, and forensic procedures. Mr. Wilson has more than 200 technical publications in several areas, and has been involved with over 60 books, which include titles on Maine history and several books on fishing. Besides being co-author of Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location and Boundary Control and Legal Principles, he is author of Deed Descriptions I Have Known But Could Have Done Without, Easements and Reversions, Interpreting Land Records and Forensic Procedures for Boundary and Title Investigation. His latest titles are Easements Relating to Land Surveying and Title Examination, Boundary Retracement, Processes and Procedures and a co-authorship entitled, Land Tenure, Boundary Surveys and Cadastral Systems. Don is an instructor for RedVector's on-line professional courses and a regular presenter at the University of New Hampshire's Professional Development Program. He is lead instructor in Surveyors Educational Seminars. In his professional practice, Don has testified numerous times, in a variety of courts, on boundary and title matters.