Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell appeared on Tuesday, November 12th as guest speaker at the Walpole Historical Society monthly meeting. The Registry is the principal office for the recording and storing of over 8 million land documents dating back to 1793.
Register O’Donnell began by providing a brief overview of the Registry and explaining how the office is the chief repository for all land documents recorded in Norfolk County. The Register then led a discussion on the rich history of the county. “Norfolk County,” noted O’Donnell, “is known as the County of Presidents. Four United States Presidents have called Norfolk County home; John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy and George H.W. Bush who was born in Milton, MA.”
“In addition,” stated O’Donnell, “many individuals who have achieved prominence in the fields of government, the law, arts, sports, medicine and business have lived in Norfolk County. The Registry of Deeds has begun recognizing these prominent citizens through its Notable Land Records Project. In our Volume 2 edition, we recognized prominent attorney Joseph Nye Welch who called Walpole home and rose to fame during the Army McCarthy hearings.”
The Register also spent time discussing the Transcription Project that was successfully completed at the Registry of Deeds. “The Registry of Deeds was able to make history come alive by transcribing these hard to read land documents written in cursive and recorded between the years 1793 and 1900. By transcribing these land documents, we are helping those with an interest in land documents, history and genealogy perform research and gain a better understanding of Norfolk County and its unique history,” noted the Register.
Concluding his remarks, Register O’Donnell stated, “I want to thank John Anderson and the members of the Walpole Historical Society for the invitation to speak. The society does a great job ensuring the rich history of Walpole is maintained for future generations.”
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
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