Cahill gave an informative paper and chaired lively discussion on the nature of legal records in archives, focusing on deeds, probate records, and estate settlement case files. Participants were treated to a brief history of deeds, examined conventional structure and types, and talked about the value of registration. A case study effectively illustrated the points in the paper. Instructor Barry Cahill showing a nineteenth century deed. Cahill concluded that legal proof and archival proof are different, but not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Legal proof establishes facts, while archival proof documents the functions of the creator.
If fulfills both these requirements, then the legal record is archival. Day two gave participants a chance to show and tell interesting legal records from their archives. From intriguing separation agreements from Shelburne to nearly indecipherable early English deeds, this aspect of the workshop was both enlightening and enjoyable. Much appreciation is extended to Barry Cahill for sharing his exhaustive knowledge of legal records.