The Bishops' of Durham Halmote Court recorded the transmission of copyhold properties across County Durham from medieval times to the 1920s. Court transactions were originally grouped into 4 geographical Wards and after 1720 into 7 Divisions, and within these Divisions Bishopric copyhold properties were each numbered with an individual call number. Pins on the map will link to a map and a court record in the Halmote court books in which this particular property was transmitted. Before the 19th century maps are not present in court records, but having identified a Division and call number a determined researcher might be able to trace the copyhold owners of a particular property back into the 16th century. Pins locating properties are sometimes placed mid-street, at a central point, or in the vicinity of the mapped property. A series of 6" Ordnance Survey maps were similarly annotated by the Halmote Court office for its own administrative use. These maps may also be viewed online. If you wish to ask a question about this resource or the local collections at Durham University generally then email pg.library@durham.ac.uk.