As a general proposition, an abstract should furnish all the material information contained in the original documents and records from which it is compiled, and that, as fully and completely as if they had been specifically inspected. It should show, when from the source of title, the inceptive measures by which the government, either National or State, was divested of the original title. This is the foundation of all derivative rights in the individual. Then should follow, in regular chronological sequence, the devolution of the title from the government to the present claimant of the land, which would include all transfers of any and every interest. It should further show any and all adverse interests, titles or claims of record; all Hens, charges and incumbrances, however created, including judgments against the person during the period the law makes them a lien on land; all unpaid taxes, special assessments and statutory liens, and every other matter or thing appearing of record that may in any way affect, implicate or impair the title. To these, in proper cases, may be added any extraneous matter, or as usually termed, matter in pais, that to the examiner may seem pertinent or material.

It will thus be seen that the scope of inquiry of an American abstract is much broader than the English document of the same name, and, hence, many American abstract makers prefer to designate their work as an "Examination of Title," to distinguish it from the narrowness of view and singleness of purpose contemplated by the English methods. The English abstract is largely personal in its object. That is, it seeks to show only the title of some particular individual, rather than the general condition of the title, and is usually expressed in the caption to be "An abstract of the title of John Doe, Esq., to that certain messuage" etc. So, too, as the nature of English land tenures and the peculiar conditions attending the ownership of real property in that country preclude a showing of the origin or course of title for any considerable period, an English abstract generally commences with some specific document, and from this point, called the "root of title," covering a period of at least forty years, shows the successive links that connect the present claim of title of the person proposed with the "root." Obviously, such an abstract, however well it might serve the purpose in England, would be most inadequate in the United States, where several persons frequently claim title through different channels from the same source, not to mention the many adverse titles springing from independent sources. While the American abstract is intended primarily to show the present state of the vendor's title, it does not in terms purport such purpose, but is a general inquiry into every matter or thing in any way affecting title to the land, in whomsoever it may rest, and however arising or acquired. The caption of the American abstract expresses its true purpose, as "An examination of title to the North East quarter," etc. It has none of the personal features that characterize the English abstract.