Aft = after, usually referring to after a given date.

Bf = before, usually referring to before a given date.

c = "about" or "approximately" when used in front of a date or number.

&C = and other things or and so forth.

CM or CO or OB = court minutes or court order book. These abbreviations are preceeded by the name of the county from which they are taken followed by which book is being referenced as well as the page number, if known. For example, RowanCM4:15 translates to Rowan County court minutes, book 4, page 15. The state associated with the county is normally obvious from the context.

DB = deed book. These abbreviations are preceeded by the name of the county from which they are taken followed by which book is being referenced as well as the page number, if known. For example, RichmondDB5.294 translates to Richmond County deed book 5, page 294. The state associated with the county is normally obvious from the context.

DC or DI = death certicate or death index. These abbreviations are always proceeded by the convential abbreviation for a state. For example, NCDC would be North Carolina Death Certificate.

Deft/Dft = Defendant.

FG = Find-a-Grave

FSO = www.familysearch.org.

OC = Orphan Court. These abbreviations are preceeded by the name of the county from which they are taken followed by which book is being referenced as well as the page number, if known. For example, LeeOC1:20 translates to Lee County Orphan Court, book 1, page 20. The state associated with the county is normally obvious from the context.

Plff/Pltf/Plf = Plaintiff.

£ = pound as currency.

PMT = Public Member Trees at Ancestry.com.

P&QS = Pleas and Quarter Sessions. These are the county courts, typically associated with North Carolina.

WB = Will Book. These abbreviations are preceeded by the name of the county from which they are taken followed by which book is being referenced as well as the page number, if known. For example, AugustaWB2:100 translates to Augusta County Will Book 2, page 100. The state associated with the county is normally obvious from the context.

Abjuration Oath: In colonial America, it was often demanded that officials swear an oath of loyalty to the protestant succession and deny the son of the Catholic James II, deposed in 1688, his claim to the English throne.

Ad quod damnum: Latin phrase meaning "according to the harm" or "appropriate to the harm". It is used in tort law as a measure of damage inflicted, and implying a remedy, if one exists, ought to correspond specifically and only to the damage suffered.

Alias Capias: An alias capias warrant is a court-issued warrant that compels a defendant to appear in court after they fail to appear for a scheduled court date. The term "alias" can refer to the court issuing the warrant under an assumed name or if the defendant no longer uses their legal name.

Alias Summons: An alias summons is a second summons issued by a court when the first attempt to serve a summons was unsuccessful.

Assignee: An assignee (ass^nee) is a person or entity that receives rights, property, or title from another party, called the assignor, under the terms of a contract.

Assumpsit: 1. An express or implied promise or contract not under seal on which an action may be brought. 2. A former common-law action brought to recover damages alleged from the breach of an assumpsit.

Capias (capiator): A capias warrant is an official court document issued by the judge in court that authorizes police enforcement to arrest people for not showing up to a court hearing, not paying fines on time, or not following civil court rulings, such as child support.

Certiorari: A writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court.

Dedimus Potestatem: In law, dedimus potestatem (Latin for "we have given the power") is a writ whereby commission is given to one or more private persons for the expedition of some act normally performed by a judge.

Deed of Lease and Release: Lease and release is literally the lease (tenancy) of non-tenanted property by its owner followed by a release (relinquishment) of the landlord's interest in the property. This sequence of transactions was commonly used to transfer full title to real estate under real property law.

Estoppel: An equitable doctrine, a bar that prevents one from asserting a claim or right that contradicts what one has said or done before, or what has been legally established as true. Estoppel may be used as a bar to the re-litigation of issues or as an affirmative defense.

Eodem Die: On the same day

Ex parte: A Latin phrase meaning "on one side only; by or for one party." An ex parte communication occurs when a party to a case, or someone involved with a party, talks or writes to or otherwise communicates directly with the judge about the issues in the case without the other parties' knowledge.

Feme Covert: A “covered woman” (or married woman) and refers to the legal status and property rights of married women as defined by common law. When a husband sells land that his wife has an interest in (dower rights or land bequeathed to her by her family), she is examined as to whether she voluntarily consents and this is known as a "feme covert" process.

Fieri facias: A Latin phrase (abbreviated fi. fa.) that refers to a writ of execution which directs a state specified officer, usually a sheriff, to take control of a piece of property and sell it in order to satisfy the owner's debt or tax obligations.

Imparlance: Time formerly given to a party before pleading in a lawsuit for making an amicable settlement

In Chancery: Litigation in a Court of Chancery, a court of equity.

Interlocutory Order: A temporary court ruling or decision that addresses a specific issue during a legal case.

Melior: The Latin word melior is a legal term that means "better" or "improved". It's often used in formal or legal contexts to describe something that's an improvement over something else.

Nisi: A court order "nisi" is a provisional order that becomes absolute unless a specified event or fact occurs within a specified time. It comes from the Latin word meaning "unless."

Nunc pro tunc: A legal term that refers to the correction of a judgment or order after it has been entered into the court's record. This legal tool is used to correct errors or omissions in the original judgment and ensure that the order accurately reflects the intentions of the court.

Ordinary: In the 18th century, an ordinary was a small inn or tavern. A traveller could stop there for a meal; somebody that worked in the city could stop there on the way home from a long day in the counting house. The menu was generally limited, the price was set, the food was simple and comforting.

Oyer: A commission issued to English judges authorizing them to hear and determine criminal cases at the assizes

1778 Oath of Fidelity: This act required all free males over 18 years of age on or before March 1, 1778 to take an oath of fidelity and support to the state. Oaths were administered by the county magistrate and maintained by the Governor and Council. Arranged by county and returns of county magistrates.

Replication: Replication is a formal response filed by a plaintiff to a defendant's plea or answer.

Replevin: Replevin is a legal action that allows the rightful owner of personal property to recover it from someone who is wrongfully holding it.

Pluries Capias or Summons: A pluries capias is a legal term that refers to a writ or order that has been issued multiple times and is used to arrest a suspect when previous attempts have been unsuccessful. A pluries summons is a legal term that refers to the third or subsequent attempt to serve a legal document, such as a summons or subpoena, to someone who cannot be found or has not responded.

Presentment: A written accusation of a crime prepared by a grand jury without a bill of indictment. The grand jury prepares the accusation based on their own knowledge or observations.

Prochien Ami(e): A person not regularly appointed that acts (as in a suit at law) for one "not sui juris" (as an infant, married woman) and often named as "next friend".

In propria persona: A Latin phrase that means "for one's self". It refers to when someone represents themselves in court without a lawyer, also known as pro se.

Scire Facias: [Medieval Latin meaning "you should cause to know"] A judicial writ founded upon some matter of record and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the record should not be enforced (as by revival of the judgment), annulled, or vacated.

Venditioni Exponas: A legal term that means "you shall expose for sale." It is a court order that directs a sheriff or other authorized person to sell property to satisfy a debt or judgment.

Venire: A group of people summoned for jury service from whom a jury or juries will be chosen.

Voir dire: The process used by the parties to select a fair and impartial jury.