MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood and South Orange are charming older suburbs whose houses are brimming with character, style and history. Have you been curious about uncovering your home’s past but didn’t know where to begin?
If so, join nationally known land title expert Joe Grabas at Durand-Hedden on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. Grabas will share his tricks-of-the-trade for researching a building’s history, including studying its structure and architecture, and investigating county land records, such as deeds and mortgages, to establish the “chain of title.” House researchers can go on to uncover the genealogy of owners, explore vintage newspapers, wills, inventories and more. Bring your questions for the follow-up question-and-answer session. Volunteers knowledgeable in Maplewood local history will be available to help visitors search atlases and databases for traces of the origins of their homes and neighborhoods.
Grabas has spent nearly four decades researching real property records, is a certified title professional and forensic expert in matters relating to real estate, and has been authorized by the NJ Real Estate Commission to teach continuing education to insurance producers, Realtors and lawyers. He also serves on the N.J. Title Resource Council and as a commissioner on the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
Durand-Hedden House is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information or to arrange group tours, call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.
Learn the history of your home added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →