In doing genealogy, it is only a matter of time before researchers run into a brick wall. That is, they trace a family line as far as possible until discovering an individual or couple who seem to be without documentation. Interestingly, land records have provided genealogists with a solution to climbing over the brick wall.
Land records are plentiful, accessible, easy to use, informative, and interesting.
We wondered what genealogical data could be discovered about the Pecks by using only land records as sources of information. After all, any experience we might have in gathering information would be similar to that of a novice doing a comparable search on a family member. We decided to take on the challenge. Because the Pecks were entirely new to us, we felt like beginners, and we were forced to approach the task the way a beginner would. The steps we used in our land records research will help any beginner overcome that formidable brick wall.