What happens after you buy a house and the deed gets “recorded”? For most of us, the Recorder of Deeds Office feels like a mysterious backroom of government paperwork — but behind those records lies the backbone of property ownership, public history, and fraud prevention.
In this episode of Death and Dirt, Fred, Jay, and Jenn sit down with Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County’s Recorder of Deeds and Mayor of Ambler Borough. Jeanne sheds light on what her office really does — records millions of property documents, protects homeowners from deed fraud, honors veterans through the Montco Roots program, and digitizes decades of public records.
We discuss how the pandemic accelerated e-recording, the surprising ways property records reveal local history, and what it means to lead in both county and borough government. Whether you’re a real estate attorney, history buff, or curious homeowner, this conversation will change the way you see those stamped deeds in your file cabinet.
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Jennifer Galloway - Jenn attended Elizabethtown College, double majored in Criminal Justice and Political Science, always planning to attend law school. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duquesne University School of Law, in Pittsburgh, and moved back to York County, where she currently resides and works. After just over a decade in private practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and Orphans’ Court litigation, Jenn recently joined Counsel Trust Company as their Chief Fiduciary Officer. In this new role, she oversees the trust operations and administrations department back office and team of financial advisors, and was happy to trade the billable hour for a bit more structure.
Jay Hagerman - Jay earned a degree in American history at Gettysburg College. During that time, he worked in the White House Office of Correspondence in Washington, D.C. He attended Duquesne University School of Law, focusing his time learning about laws relating to wealth creation and preservation. He founded the elder law firm Abernethy & Hagerman, where he currently works. Jay resides in Hampton Township with his wife and family, which allows him to serve clients throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Fred Long - Fred Long is a partner at Long Brightbill, a law firm based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. His practice is focused on estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate, and real estate transactions. Fred holds an Estate Planning Certificate from Temple University Beasley School of Law and earned a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law, graduating with honors. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a Minor in Economics from Susquehanna University. In addition to his professional work, Fred is actively involved in community organizations and enjoys spending time with his family and friends, engaging in outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, skiing, and exploring the Pennsylvania wilderness.
*audio editing & music by Nick DeMatteo