The best way to deal with it is to try and research around it where possible. There are genealogists out there who have yet to hit forty or retirement. If you see one who has yet to hit puberty, tell them to interview their grandparents now. Most of all encourage them, gently. I've taken calculus exams that made more sense.
Same thing goes for platting property in metes and bounds.
Talk about applied mathematics. Some did, but don't believe it until you see it. Don't really believe it until you see the deed, title, etc. Choose your war, take your pick. There are lots of these stories.