Register

An officer authorised by law to keep a record called a "register" or "registry;" as the register for the probate of wills. A book containing a record of facts as they occur, kept by public authority; a register of births, marriages, and burials.

— Register in banhrnptcy. An officer of the couris of bankruptcy, under the earlier acts of congress in that behalf, having substantially the same powers and duties as the "referees in bankruptcy" under the act of 1898 (U. S. Comp. St 1901, p. 3418). See Referee.

— Register of deeds. The name given in some states to the officer whose duty is to record deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting realty in the official books provided and kept for that purpose ; more commonly calied "recorder of deeds."

— Register of land office. A federal officer appointed for each federal land district, to take charge of the local records and attend to the preliminary matters connected with the sale, pre-emption, or other disposal of the public lands within the district. See Rev. St. U. S. 2234 (U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 1366).

— Register of patents. A book of patents, directed by St. 15 & 16 Viet, c. 83, § 34, passed in 1852, to be kept at the specification office, for public use. 2 Steph. Comm. 29, note t.

— Register of ships. A register kept by the collectors of customs, in which the names, ownership, and other facts relative to merchant vessels are required by law to be entered. This register is evidence of the nationality and privileges of an American ship. The certificate of such registration, given by the collector to the owner or master of the shin, is also called the ship's register." Rapni-je & Lawrence.

— Register of the treasury. An officer of the United States treasury, whose duty is to keep all accounts of the receipt and expenditure of public money and of debts due o or from the United States, to preserve adjusted accounts with vouchers and certificates, to record warrants drawn upon the treasury, to sign and issue government securities, and lake charge of the registry of vessels under United States laws. See Rev. St. U. S. §§ 812, 313 (In S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 183).

— Register of wills. An officer in some of the states, whose function is to record and preserve nil wills admitted to probate, to issue letters testamentary or of administration, to receive and file accounts of executors, etc., and generally to act as the clerk of the probate court.

— Register of writs. A book preserved in the English court of chancery, in which were entered the various forms of original and judicial writs.