Registry of Deeds Announces the Cleaning of Dirty Deeds

Beverly, MA — Register Eileen Duff announced that the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds is
implementing a program to “clean” property deeds with discriminatory restrictions, to ensure
that new deeds no longer contain or references exclusionary language. Discriminatory language,
including racial covenants, in land records were common practice as a tool to exclude certain
racial and ethnic groups from accessing the housing market entirely, or in specific
neighborhoods.

“Thanks to the work of Harborlight Homes and the North Shore NAACP, we have identified
approximately 600 ‘dirty deeds’ in the Southern Essex Registry’s district that still contain
restrictive covenants that have been declared illegal and voided. It is not enough to say this
language is unenforceable; instead, we must ensure the language is discontinued and removed
from future deeds so this language remains only as a reminder of our nation’s past and a lesson
for the future,” said Duff.

The Registry will contact the owners of the affected properties via mail and phone to each of to
offer assistance in removing any discriminatory language. This will be done through a legal
affidavit and will be recorded at no cost to property owners at the Registry.

“In many cases, this language was unknowingly retained in newer quitclaim deeds when the
previous deed had been used as a starting template for the new sale’s deed. By removing
restrictive language, the cycle will be broken and ensure discriminatory covenants are never
included or referenced again on any active or new deed. I have directed my staff to no longer
record any deed that includes or references such language, but we still need to address the
approximately 600 active deeds that still do,” said Duff.

If a property owner receives a notification from the Registry of Deeds and have any questions or
concerns, they can call the Registry at (978) 542-1700.

The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and
others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record
research information can be found on the Registry’s website SalemDeeds.com.

The Southern Essex County Registry of Deeds recently moved to 100 Cummings Center, Suite 206-C in Beverly; located on the 2nd floor in the 100 building next to the East parking garage.

Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Desk via telephone at (978) 542-1704 or email us at SouthernEssexCustomerService@sec.state.ma.us.

Contact: Tyler Carlton-Kelley, Administrator
Direct Line: (978) 542-1771
Tyler.Carlton-Kelley@sec.state.ma.us