I was reading an early Texas document and came across information on a gentleman’s solar.  I was completely confused.  Had I mis-transcribed the document or had I come across an early document on solar power.

According to What Did They Mean by That? by Paul Drake, solar is referring to land with a house on it.  Solar had nothing to do with the sun.  Understanding terminology in a document can be interesting if the time period is not taken into consideration.  Many mistakes about occupations, medical treatments/diseases, and household items have made for humorous emails between genealogists.

Take the time to refer to a dictionary when confusing terms appear in your genealogical research.  The answers may actually help you with brickwalls.