Register's Log

Read Various Reports on Register Ashe's Release and Forecast for Fiscal Year 2012

2012-07-12T14:49:00.000-04:00

Click here to read The Republican's article...

Click here to read Channel 22's story...

Click here to read Channel 40's story...

THEY’RE AT IT AGAIN: PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITING HAMPDEN COUNTY HOMEOWNERS

2012-05-24T12:33:00.000-04:00

Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds, reported today that an Illinois-based company, National Record Service, Inc., is offering to provide homeowners with a copy of their property deed for a processing fee of $59.50. This company is also charging $20.00 for each additional certified copy of these deeds.

Considering that this company is ordering certified copies from our office for an average of $1.00 to $3.00 each, National Record Service, Inc. is profiting approximately 96% at the expense of the homeowner. By creating a sense of urgency to have these documents on hand, homeowners are being maneuvered into needlessly paying these exorbitant fees.

Register Ashe urges any homeowner in Hampden County who receives this or any offer like thist to contact the Registry of Deeds before making said purchase.

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

REGISTER OF DEEDS, DONALD E. ASHE

See Register Ashe speak with WGBY's Jim Madigan about the current conditions of the real estate market within Hampden County

2012-02-27T10:12:00.003-05:00

Housing and the Economy from WGBY on Vimeo.

Register Ashe Meets with Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo

2012-01-24T12:19:00.004-05:00

Register Donald E. Ashe with Sheriff Michael Ashe, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, State Representative Brian Ashe and State Representative Angelo Puppolo.

News Alert on Recent Legal Actions Pertaining to Foreclosure Properties

2011-12-07T09:05:00.008-05:00

Two foreclosure-related rulings by Massachusetts' highest court, the Supreme Judicial Court, should serve to alert buyers of foreclosed properties that ownership of certain properties may be in question.

In January 2011, the Court affirmed a lower court’s ruling invalidating two mortgage foreclosure sales because the banks, in their capacity as trustees for mortgage securities, did not prove that they actually owned mortgages at the time of foreclosure. (see U.S. Bank v. Ibanez)

On October 18, 2011, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that individuals who purchased foreclosed homes from lenders who seized the property without first obtaining a clear title many not be the legal owners. (see Bevilacqua v. Rodriguez)

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a civil action suit in the Suffolk Superior Court on December 1, 2011, against Bank of America, BAC Home Loans Servicing, BAC GP, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Citibank, CitiMortgage, GMAC Mortgage, Wells Fargo Bank, Mortgage Electronic Registration System and MERSCORP. In this action, Attorney General Coakley identifies the following examples of misconduct that lead to this filing:

1. Engaging in unfair and deceptive foreclosure practices by conducting foreclosures when the defendants lacked the right to do so and misrepresenting to homeowners their roles as mortgagees or as the holders of the mortgages;

2. Engaging in false documentation practices to facilitate their foreclosure practices;

3.Deceiving homeowners in the course of servicing mortgage loans by misrepresenting to borrowers regarding its loan modification programs, acting deceptively in implementing loan modifications and deceiving borrowers regarding foreclosure proceedings; and

4. Failing to comply with Massachusetts’ registration statute.

For more information or questions relative to home ownership/foreclosures, contact the Attorney General’s office at (413) 784-1240 or visit her website at http://www.mass.gov/ago/

Assistant Registers Donna Brown and Mary Caron attend the Hampden Senior Center Health & Wellness Fair

2011-10-24T09:47:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, October 22nd, Assistant Registers Donna Brown and Mary Caron were present at the Hampden Senior Center Health and Wellness Fair. The even drew a great crowd and Mary and Donna were able to assist many people with questions relative to their individual properties. Thank you Hampden for including us in this great event. We look forward to attending next year!

Assistant Register Donna Brown

Assistant Register Mary Caron

Register Ashe and Staff Visit Longmeadow and East Longmeadow Senior Centers

2011-09-30T14:32:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, September 22, Register Ashe visited the Longmeadow Senior Center as part of his ongoing effort to reach out the citizens of Hampden County. The Register was on hand to address questions and concerns relative to their real estate. The visit was a huge success and Register Ashe and his staff were able to assist many residents of Longmeadow in filing homesteads and answering general questions about their property.

On Tuesday, September 27th, the Hampden County Registry of Deeds also made a trip out to the East Longmeadow Senior Center. Representing Register Ashe was Assistant Register Donna Brown who addressed a large group of the Town's residents and was able to clarify this year's changes in the homestead law. Those in attendance were very pleased with the convenience of having their important questions answered all while remaining so close to home.

Register Ashe and his staff would like to thank the towns of Longmeadow and East Longmeadow for their hospitality. We look forward to our next visit!

Questionable Documentation Has Property Owners Wondering Who Actually Holds Their Mortgage

2011-08-05T11:49:00.004-04:00

Attorney General Martha Coakley is currently investigating fraudulent real estate banking practices taking place within the Commonwealth. Watch Channel 22's story on invalid mortgage assignments that have clouded property ownership in western Massachusetts. If you have purchased a home or refinanced your mortgage within the past six years, you might want to check with your mortgage lender relative to what entity holds your mortgage. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact our office.

The Polanie Club Celebrates its 80th Anniversary

2011-06-14T10:52:00.005-04:00

(L-R) Club Members Joan Lupa and Mary Gurski, Register of Deeds Donald E. Ashe and Club President Loretta Goyette gather together at the Polish American Citizens Club in Ludlow.

The Polanie Club was organized on May 22, 1931 to promote religious, civic, patriotic, cultural and educational purposes. Through the years, the Club has supported a number of charitable, civic and cultural activities and organizations. The Club supports the Shriners Hospital, Baystate Breast Cancer Program, March of Dimes, the Polish National Alliance Youth Camp, the Ronald McDonald House and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to name a few.

Club members have knitted sweaters and socks for the Red Cross and purchased surgical instruments for cornea transplants. The Club's largest fundraiser is the annual Fashion Show, whereby it is able to provide a minimum of three scholarships per year to college students.

Register of Deeds and guest speaker, Donald E. Ashe, commended Club President Loretta Goyette and its membership for its many contributions to the people in Hampden County and beyond for the past 80 years.

Register Ashe presented proclamations to three of the Polanie Club members who have or will become 100 years old this year. The three individuals are Mary Gurski, Jean Podosek and Margaret Popko, all of whom have been active members of the Club since its inception 80 years ago.

We would like to wish the Polanie Club many, many years of continued success and thank them for their tireless commitment to our community!

Register Ashe visits the Ludlow and Chicopee Senior Centers

2011-05-12T14:17:00.000-04:00

This week, Register Ashe visited the Ludlow and Chicopee Senior Centers to speak with people about the recent legislative changes in the Homestead Act. Those in attendance were able to sit with Registry employees, Donna and Caitlin, to review basic information concerning their property. Register Ashe also warned of a re-emerging scam by the State Record Retrieval Board, in which they attempt to disguise themselves as a state agency in order to swindle homeowner's out of an exorbitant fee for a copy of their deed.

Register Ashe with Chicopee residents, Donald and Alice Gosselin.

Registry Employees visit the Westfield Senior Options 2011 event

2011-05-02T10:57:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, April 21st, Registry employees, Donna and Caitlin, attended the Westfield Senior Options 2011. The event is designed to give seniors an opportunity to learn about business and services that could benefit their health, finances and lifestyle. Donna and Caitlin were on hand to answer questions regarding our day-to-day functions at the Registry of Deeds, how the new homestead law has changed, as well as look up one's property ownership information. At the Registry of Deeds, we realize that it is difficult to stay abreast of the varying informational changes relative to property ownership. As a result, we continually strive to reach out to the community by providing information that will benefit its property owners.

Here, Donna provides a gentleman with some informational resources that our office has composed.

Donna and Caitlin had a great day answering various questions and sharing a few laughs with some of Western Massachusetts seniors.

Electronic Recording Seminars Held by the Hampden County Registry of Deeds

2011-04-15T10:51:00.005-04:00

In an effort to make more of our customers aware of the convenience that electronic recording offers, our office has held three different seminars to demonstrate how this process works. Here, Register Ashe welcomes attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants to our presentation.

Explaining the role of the e-Recording vendors was Assistant Register Kelly Cavanaugh-Kelly. Gregory Rogers, MIS Director, was on hand to explain the technical aspect of the electronic recording process, as well as to demonstrate just how easily it can be done from your office or even from your home.

Those in attendance were able to see exactly how they would record a document electronically from beginning to end. If you would like further information on how to sign up to electronically submit and record your documents, please feel free to contact us or visit the e-Recording tab to the left of this page.

Thank you to all of those who helped this year's Mitten Drive by donating hats, gloves and scarves to benefit students of Homer Street School!

2011-02-10T14:16:00.003-05:00

Today, Register Ashe and Assistant Office Manager Jason Ferreira were graciously welcomed to the Homer Street School by Principal Kathleen Sullivan to present donated hats, gloves and scarves to the students. These items were donated by Registry staff and its customers. Approximately 200 articles were collected and we are looking forward to beating that number next year! Again, thank you to all those involved in this successful event. We couldn't have done it without you.

Register Ashe attends 'Citizen of the Year' banquet

2011-02-04T10:43:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, January 29th, Register Donald E. Ashe presented a proclamation to the Polish American Citizens Club's 'Citizen of the Year', Ed Szela, at the Club's 44th annual Installation Banquet.

Click here to read the entire article published in The Ludlow Register...

JFK remembered on the anniversary of his death

2010-11-23T12:27:00.002-05:00

Community members gathered to honor President John F. Kennedy on the 47th anniversary of his death. Attending were master of ceremony, James Sullivan, U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal, William Marot, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, former Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan, Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe and state Representative James T. Welch.

Holyoke's Wistariahurst Museum

2010-08-19T12:27:00.005-04:00

Wistariahurst Museum is similar to many properties in Hampden County in that it tells the history of a family, a city and an era. Located in Holyoke, the mansion was the home to Silk magnate William Skinner and his heirs for almost one hundred years. Wistariahurst was built in 1868 and added to the National Historic Register in 1973.

William Skinner was born in London in 1824 and trained in the silk dying industry. He immigrated to the United States in 1843, eventually going into business for himself in Haydenville, Massachusetts. On May 16, 1874, the Williamsburg Dam washed away and the surrounding villages of Williamsburg, Leeds and Haydenville went with it, including Skinners Unquomonk Silk Co.

Looking to lure a thriving business to Holyoke, James Newton convinced William Skinner to relocate to a site located on one of the cities three canals. To help “sway” Skinner, the Holyoke Water Power Co. gave him the mill site rent free for 5 years. They also sold him an entire city block at a cost of $1 on which Wistariahurst now stands (the home was originally built in Williamsburg, but was taken apart after the flood and transported to Holyoke to be rebuilt). Aided by an unlimited source of power from the cities canals and inexpensive immigrant labor, the manufacturing business grew to sales of $6.5 million by 1902, employing 2,500 employees at its peak. Skinner Silk was sold in New York, Philadelphia and Boston and was known throughout the world.

The success of the Skinner business, which by 1886 included his sons William and Joseph and was known as William Skinner & Son’s Silk Manufacturing, was reflected in the lavish family home. Wistariahurst, so named for the Wistaria Vines that soon covered the building, featured two large stone lions guarding the front entrance that were purchased by Mrs. Skinner on a trip to Rome. The home had leather wall coverings, stone columns, painted ceilings, elaborate woodwork and even a driveway paved with Dinosaur footprints from the Jurassic period. The grounds were manicured by a small army of laborers; the children cared for by a nanny; and meals were prepared by personal kitchen staff.

Wistariahurst and the Skinner legacy live on in the City of Holyoke and throughout the world. The family deeded their home to the city in 1959 for cultural and educational purposes. William Skinner was a founding member of the Holyoke YMCA, the Holyoke Public Library and Grace United Church. He served as a trustee to Mount Holyoke College, Mount Hermon Seminary and Northfield’s Young Women’s Seminary. His son Joseph built the elite Orchard’s Golf Course on his South Hadley estate, so that his daughter Elisabeth would have a place to play. He also donated 30 acres to Mount Holyoke, which became Skinner State Park and is famous for the hotel at the top known as The Summit House.

Register Ashe visits Museum of Springfield History

2010-05-27T09:31:00.011-04:00

Left to right: Donald E. Ashe, Richard Stevens, Guy McLain

DONALD E. ASHE, Hampden County Register of Deeds depicted above with Guy McLain, director of the Museum of Springfield History and the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, and Richard Stevens, founder of the Duryea Transportation Society at the Museum of Springfield History on May 18, 2010.

Register Ashe was treated to a personal tour of the newly opened MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY on May 18th by Guy McLain and Richard Stevens. Mr. Stevens is founding president of the Duryea Transportation Society and has been a driving force in bringing out the most important role Springfield played in our transportation history as the Duryea was the first gasoline powered car in America and was produced in 1893 in Springfield by J. Frank Duryea at 47 Taylor Street, now known as Duryea Way.

Many other Springfield “firsts” are on display there such as the Indian Motorcycles and Rolls Royce automobiles that were also manufactured in Springfield. The GeeBee airplane manufactured here by the Granville Brothers can also be seen.

Guy McLain has done an outstanding job of creating the MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY.

Take the time to treat yourself to a fascinating look at our city’s proud past. Perhaps you will get an idea for our future while there.

21 Edwards Street

Replica of the original Duryea built by Richard Stevens

Springfield's Connection to the Vanderbilts Thanks to the Duryea Automobile

2010-05-20T09:59:00.006-04:00

On March 15, 2010, Vanity Fair magazine featured an article, "Driving with the Vanderbilt's II", about the son of the world's richest man at the turn of the century, George Vanderbilt. His estate, Biltmore, located outside Asheville, North Carolina, at 175,000 square feet, remains the largest private residence in America.

George Vanderbilt was focused on "automobiling" as his favorite passion. He had six cars registered at his estate. Only one remains and it is a great rarity. "A handsome and huge seven-passenger 1913 Stevens-Duryea Model C6 Touring". The cost of this luxurious auto new was over $5,000.00, or the equivalent of $111,000.00 in today's currency. The company's motto was "There is No Better Motor Car". Therefore, George Vanderbilt definitely had to have one!

Click here to read the full article....

The Joseph Moore House

2010-02-18T16:14:00.013-05:00

The Joseph Moore House today.

The Joseph Moore House in the late 1890's

In 1751, Joseph Moore purchased a plot of land in Southwick, which was located in an area on the outskirts of Westfield, Massachusetts. Soon, he built a home for his wife, Mary, and their eleven children. Upon the death of Joseph after the American Revolution, the home was passed down to his son, Roger Moore (1752-1838), who lived there his entire life. Due to numerous boundary changes, Roger Moore managed to live in two colonies; the two states of Massachusetts and Connecticut; Hampden, Hampshire and Hartford counties; as well as the four towns of Westfield, Southwick, Simsbury and Granby, all without ever moving out of the home his father had built!

After the settlement of the Springfield/Hartford region, a large population influx in the area created a concern over non-established boundary lines. As a result, the Bay State hired two surveyors to run the southern boundary line of Massachusetts. Upon completion of the survey, it was found that they had fixed the line too far south and at one point by almost 7 miles. Given its geographical location, the Joseph Moore House would find itself embroiled in the boundary dispute between Massachusetts and Connecticut. The two states spent 162 years arguing over their shared boundary line, which included appeals to England, numerous denied proposals, as well as some compromises.

The home is situated in the southern third of the town at 86 College Highway, in an area referred to as the “Jog” or the “Southwick Jog”. When Joseph Moore purchased the land and built his home, it was located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The settlers in this area became weary of traveling each Sunday to Westfield for service and petitioned to separate from Westfield and become their own town. In 1770, the Town of Southwick was established, which included the Joseph Moore House. Then in 1774, the residents of the southern portion of Southwick successfully petitioned to become a part of Connecticut. This reduced the size of Southwick by one-third. As a result, the Joseph Moore House was now in Simsbury, Connecticut. Given Massachusetts’ preoccupation with the growing tensions between itself and Britain, its loss of control over southern Southwick received little contention. In 1786, Simsbury sliced off its Salmon Brook area to create the town of Granby. The “Jog” was included in this separation, making the Joseph Moore House now a part of Granby, Connecticut.

After the Revolutionary War had ended, Massachusetts and Connecticut resumed their battle over the rightful ownership of the “Jog”. Connecticut stood firm on its rightful jurisdiction since the area clearly lay below the Massachusetts borderline, and emphasized the inhabitants’ desire to be a part of their state. Massachusetts was quick to remind Connecticut that in 1749, it had allowed them the jurisdiction over Suffield, Enfield and Woodstock even though it was in violation of the 1713 compromise which claimed that land belonged to Massachusetts. In 1801, Massachusetts made a proposal to divide the disputed area at the Congamond Lakes into two. Connecticut would get the portion to the east of the lakes, while Massachusetts would get the portion west of the lakes. Connecticut refused, but in 1804, they finally agreed, which returned the “Jog” to Massachusetts jurisdiction, where it has remained to this day.

Ownership of the Joseph Moore House was transferred to the Southwick Historical Society in 1990. It is currently being converted into a museum by the Society and is expected to open to the general public by the summer of 2010. For more information regarding the museum opening, please email the Southwick Historical Society: southwickhistory@yahoo.com.

Springfield's First Public Building

2009-11-10T09:22:00.003-05:00

SPRINGFIELD’S FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING

In the year 1645, Springfield built its first meeting house for religious services. Thomas Cooper was hired to build the meeting-house, which was to be 40 feet long and 25 feet wide. The meeting-house was to have a number of large windows and two turrets. One turret was for the bell and the other for a watch-house.

When Cooper completed the work, he received in payment, “wheate, pease, pork, wampum, debts and labor”. The building was located on the south side of Court Square, a few feet back from Main Street near what is now Elm Street. It was reported that the new meeting-house was the first building devoted to religious worship in the State (west of Boston) and the first public building for any purpose in Springfield. It was also considered the beginning of the First Church on Court Square.

In 1650, John Pynchon reached an agreement with the town to make a chamber over the meeting-house. He would have use of it for ten years and if the town needed it, they could have it provided they pay him in effect for his costs. Two years later, the town decided to take possession of the chamber. Over the years, the town rented the chamber out to various people as a place for storing grain.

Source: History of Springfield, MA

"Famous Faces in Familiar Places"

2009-07-14T14:13:00.007-04:00

The famous Granville Brothers, originally of New Hampshire, are known as the creators and inventive minds behind perhaps the most famous aircraft in aviation history. At age 19, the eldest Granville Brother, Zantford moved to Massachusetts and spent much time at the Boston Airport, taking flying lessons after becoming “bored” with his automobile business.

In 1929, Zantford founded an airplane repair shop in Springfield, Massachusetts, as it was the only area in which he could obtain financing. Zantford made a deal with another set of famous and wealthy brothers, the Taits. The Tait Brothers were owners of a large ice cream business as well as the Springfield Airport. The finance agreement enabled the purchase of a high-powered, more advanced engine. This repair shop later became the birthplace of a series of “Sportsters,” racing aircraft that would go on to win several prestigious National Air Races.

The Gee Bees, a series of 1930s racing planes, were thought to be the fastest aircraft and perhaps the most dangerous of its time. The Granville Brothers consisted of Zantford, Thomas, Robert, Mark, and Edward, all of which migrated to the Springfield, Massachusetts area.

The advanced aerodynamic design engineered by the Granville Brothers required only the most qualified and skilled pilots. In fact, the eldest Granville Brother, Zantford, died while attempting to abort a landing in South Carolina, ultimately causing the plane to crash.

For more information, please visit http://www.centennialofflight.gov/

"Did you know..."

2009-07-14T12:50:00.000-04:00

Our very own Tony Diaz, in the Annex Department, a document from the 1700's, as well as Register of Deeds, Donald E. Ashe are featured in a book published in 2008...
Gretchen Holbrook-Gerzina, author and editor of several books, was originally from Michiganand moved to Springfield, Massachusetts at age five with her family.

Her latest book, Mr. and Mrs. Prince, depicts a New England African American family and their challenges prior to the Civil War. During the research for the book, Ms. Gerzina’s husband, Anthony, researched documents dating back to the 1700’s where he met Tony, in our Annex Department. The experience of discovering a manumission document relative to one of the characters, as well as its photocopy are featured in pages 45 and 46 of Mr. and Mrs. Prince, courtesy of Register Donald E. Ashe.Gerzina obtained her B.A. from Marlboro College, her M.A. from Simmons College, as well as her Ph.D. from Stanford University. Gerzina is currently a Biography Professor at Dartmouth College, where she is the first woman ever to chair the English Department and the first African American woman to chair an Ivy League English Department.For more information, please visit http://www.gretchengerzina.com/

"Famous Faces in Familiar Places"

2009-07-14T09:21:00.001-04:00

"Dr. Seuss”, Theodor Seuss Geisel, the definitive children’s book author and illustrator was born in 1904 on Howard Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. His first children’s book “And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street” is filled with imagery of Springfield, including a parade with a caricature of Mayor Fordis Parker on the reviewing stand and the police officers on their red (Indian) motorcycles.Visit http://www.catinthehat.org/

President of Ireland

2009-06-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

Forest Park Event