When you transcribe a document, do you transcribe the entire document word for word or do you look for the pertinant parts and ignore the rest? I have to admit that many of my older files are partial transcriptins of a deed and not the entire deed. With the help of FamilySearch’s Experimental Labs, I am updating those transcriptions as I also go back thru my paper documentation.

Today’s find from my BURKE folder is an example. My transcription was taken from a difficult to read copy of an 1877 Platte County Missouri deed. I transcribed the top of the deed thru the land transcription. However, I did not transcribe the bottom of the deed where the Justice of the Peace verified the identity of the seller.

In the section where the Justice of the Peace establishes the identity of Milton E. Burk is a key piece of information:

single and unmarried

Thus, this is an example of why one should transcribe the entire document.

Platte County Missouri
Deed records, 1839-1895

Platte County, Missouri
Deeds
Volume 5 1875-1878
Film 988237 DGS 8486502
image 309 of 418

This Indenture , Made on the twenty ninth day of September A. D.
one thousand eight hundred seventy seven by and between Milton E Burk
party of the first part and John M Burk of the County of
Platte in the State of Missouri party of the second part
Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part in consideration of the sum of Eighteen hundred
Dollars to him paid by the said party of the second part , the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged , do
by these presents , Grant Bargain and Sell . Convey and Confirm unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns , the following
described lots, tracts or parcels of land , lying , being and situate in the County of Platte and State of Missouri , to wit :
all of the East half of the South west quarter of section thirty four
( 34 ) in township fifty four ( 54 ) of Range thirty six ( 36 ) Except all that
part of said east half of said quarter section lying East of bear
Creek on the south east corner of said East half also the North
half of the west half of South East quarter of section thirty four ( 34 )
Township fifty four ( 54 ) of Range thirty six (36) , also a part of the North
west quarter section thirty four ( 34 ) township fifty four 1541 of Range
thirty six ( 36 ) beginning at the South east corner of the North West
quarter of said section and running north on said quarter section
line two and one half rods thence west six rods thence south
two and one half rods thence East six Rods to the place of beginning
all being and lying in Platte County Missouri
To Have and to Hold the premises aforesaid with all and singular the rights priveleges, appurtenances and immunities thereto belonging
anywise appertaining , unto the said party of the second part, and unto his heirs and assigns forever , the said Milton E Burk
hereby covenanting that he is lawfully seized of an indefensible estate in fee ,
premises herein conveyed ; that he has good right to convey the same , that the said premises are free and clear of any incumbrances done or[suffer]
him or those under whom claim and that Milton E Burk will Honor
and Defend the title to the said premises unto the said party of the second part and unto heirs and assigns Forever against the lawful claims and demands
of all persons whomsoever
In Witness whereof , The said party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written .
Milton E Buck (seal)
Signed , sealed and delivered in presence of us

STATE OF MISSOURI ,
County of
Be it Remembered , That on this_____ day of AD 187_, before the
undersigned, a ___, within and for the County of ______ and State of Missouri, personally,
came ____ who are personally known to me to be the same persons whose
names are subscribed to the foregoing medium be of writing a parties thereto , and acknowledged the same to be their act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned .
And the said _____ being by me made first acquainted with the contents of said instrument , upon an
examination separate and apart from husband , acknowledged that __ executed the same , and relinquish __ dower in the Real Estate therein men-
tioned , freely and without fear , compulsion of undue influence of ____said husband t
IN Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand _____________________he day and year first above written .

STATE OF MISSOURI ,
County of Platte
Be it Remembered , That on this 29th day of September A.D. 1877, before the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Platte aforesaid personally came
Milton E Burk who is personally known to¹ me to be the same person whose name is subscribed
to the foregoing instrument of writing as a party thereto , and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned . And the said
Milton E Burk further declared himself to be single and unmarried.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my and and affixed my official seal at my office in Weston township the day and year first above written
W L Stephens Justice of the Peace
The Foregoing deed was filed for record in this office, on the 1st day of October 1877 at 9 o’clock.
40 minutes A.M.
R L Waller Recorder

1. Platte County Missouri, Platte County Deed Records, Vol. 5, page 583, Milton E. Burk to John M. Burk, 9 September 1877; Register of Deeds, Platte County Courthouse, Platte City, Missouri. ↩︎