The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds' website has a fresh look announced Register William P. O'Donnell. The new site features many helpful links.

Visitors to www.norfolkdeeds.org will find a link for first time homebuyers, foreclosure assistance, homestead protection, addresses of local food pantries, and local assessors' homepages to list a few.

"In addition," O'Donnell said in a statement, "our new appearance is being rolled out with the more gradual debut of our new public search engine which allows real estate professionals and members of the public to comb through a database of close to 220 years of Norfolk County Land Records. 

"Easy and reliable access to these land records is vitally important to property ownership in our county and the economy in general, so we are slowly allowing the public to utilize the new search engine in tandem with the original version all the while refining the new version's capabilities based on users' feedback and comments."

To further assist the general public as well as real estate professionals in conducting computer assisted land record research using the Registry's new website, Register William P. O'Donnell will host an informational seminar on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The program will include a brief presentation, written reference materials, and hands-on exercises. There will be opportunities for both basic and advanced questions and answers. There is no charge for the seminar, but anyone planning to attend is asked to register by calling Alicia Gardner at 781-461-6104 or by email to agardner@norfolkdeeds.org.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St. in Dedham.