The position of Register of Deeds is even older than the country itself and before there even was a United States \u201cland ownership documents\u201d were being recorded in Massachusetts. The Registries of Deeds were established in 1640 under the First Modern Recording Act. Until 1715 the Clerks of the County Courts maintained the public records. At that time a law was enacted calling for the election of Registers of Deeds to represent the people of their district. This was done to ensure that an elected representative of the people would independently maintain land records. Registers of Deeds are elected for a term of six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Southern Berkshire Registry district includes the towns of Alford<\/strong><\/a> | Egremont<\/strong><\/a> | Great Barrington<\/strong><\/a> | Monterey<\/strong><\/a> | Mount Washington<\/strong><\/a> | New Marlborough<\/strong><\/a> | Sandisfield<\/strong><\/a> | Sheffield<\/strong><\/a> and West Stockbridge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to the incorporation of Berkshire County in 1761, deeds for the Towns in this County were recorded in Springfield. From June 30, 1761 \u2014 June 18, 1888, records for all of Berkshire County were recorded in Pittsfield. Each of the three Berkshire Registries, Southern, Middle and Northern, were established on June 18, 1788.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
| Southern Berkshire Register<\/th> | Year of Service<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> |
|---|---|
| Mark Hopkins<\/td> | 1761 – 1777<\/td><\/tr> |
| Charles W. Hopkins<\/td> | 1777 – 1839<\/td><\/tr> |
| Samuel Newman<\/td> | 1839 – 1841<\/td><\/tr> |
| Isaac Seeley<\/td> | 1841 – 1845<\/td><\/tr> |
| Jno. C. New<\/td> | 1845 – 1883<\/td><\/tr> |
| Malcolm Douglas<\/td> | 1883 – 1897<\/td><\/tr> |
| Charles G. Kellogg<\/td> | 1898 – 1932<\/td><\/tr> |
| Josephine B. LeBlanc<\/td> | 1933 – 1936<\/td><\/tr> |
| Thomas F. Corbett<\/td> | 1936 – 1956<\/td><\/tr> |
| James J. Comerford<\/td> | 1956 – 1959<\/td><\/tr> |
| A. John Tuller<\/td> | 1959 – 1973<\/td><\/tr> |
| Catherine C. Comerford<\/td> | 1973 – 1974<\/td><\/tr> |
| lrene M. Skorput<\/td> | 1974 – 1989<\/td><\/tr> |
| Wanda M. Beckwith<\/td> | 2007 – 2018<\/td><\/tr> |
| Michelle Laramee-Jenny<\/td> | 2019 – Present<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Registry of Deeds History The position of Register of Deeds is even older than the country itself and before there even was a United States \u201cland ownership documents\u201d were being recorded in Massachusetts. The Registries of Deeds were established in 1640 under the First Modern Recording Act. Until 1715 the Clerks of the County Courts maintained … <\/p>\n |