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The ramifications of a tenancy in common or heirs’ property ownership are extensive. This kind of tenuous ownership affects not only individual families but also the economic health of the typically minority and lower-wealth communities where these properties tend to cluster. Very little research has identified heirs’ property extent at a broad scale, however. We present results of our approach to identifying heirs’ parcels for every county and census tract in the United States, using geospatial methodologies and aggregated parcel records acquired from LightBox. The method estimated 444,172 heirs’ parcels for the U.S., not including territories. The combined acreage is 9,247,452 worth $41,324,318 billion. We discuss shortcomings of secondary parcel data and the problems this presents for accurately assessing heirs’ property extent, while the spatial location aspect allows us to analyze for spatial patterns such as clustering, which supports new analyses of issues associated with heirs’ property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2010.00660.x Byline: G. Rebecca Dobbs (1) Author Affiliation: (1)University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUSA

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2010.00656.x Byline: G. Rebecca Dobbs (1) Author Affiliation: (1)University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUSA

Like historians, historical geographers rely on primary source materials held in archival collections as their main data sources, yet approach these materials from a different perspective. The author's experiences teaching students the practice of historical geography form the basis of this discussion of the role of archival materials in historical geography. Suggestions for improving archival access for historical geography students and professionals are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal's special section on the historical geography of slavery in the United States is presented, noting contributions on the theory of slavery in history, historical methodology in studying the institution of slavery, and the interventionist approach to historical study.