Over the Thanksgiving weekend I was visiting the old hometown of
Norwich, NY, and took the opportunity to check on some of the
genealogical resources available in Chenango County.
I visited the County Clerk's Office on Friday and found they had
several avenues of genealogical resources to explore. The property
deeds held in the CCO are indexed and are well laid out and easy to
use. I was able to track down most of the deeds in the family name
(some 10 or 11 deeds and transactions) in less than an hour.
The CCO also has the 1850 and 1860 federal census and the 1875,
1905 and 1915 NYS census in the original books & bindings. I found
one of the nicest aspects of the 1875 census was that it contained
the birthplace or county of each person listed.
I also visited the Local History Room in the Guernsey Memorial
Library and found out that many of the cemeteries in Chenango Co.
have been indexed. They will do searches at very reasonable rates.
Now my question. While tracking down some of the family's deeds, I
came across several references to measurements taken in chains and
links, especially in deeds druing the period 1880-1900. I vaguely
seem to recall these being related to rods & acres, etc. as units of
land measurement. Could someone please refresh my memory,
especially with the modern (foot/yard) equivalents, if possible.
Thanks in advance,
Bob