| house deed research involves going to the | | | | called ‘land taken for back taxes’ |
| courthouse to look up the deed to a property. | | | | that provides the landowner’s information. |
| This can be a notoriously frustrating process | | | | Probate records, mortgage records, and leases |
| because old records can be hard to locate. It can | | | | can also provide information about land ownership. |
| take several hours to find some deeds. The older | | | | Plat books, if available, can provide additional |
| the records are, the harder they will usually be to | | | | information about the actual land in question. |
| find. Although fires were common at courthouses | | | | The amount and type of records available will |
| through the 1920’s, typically land deeds | | | | depend, of course, on the jurisdiction in which you |
| and property records were the first to be saved. | | | | are looking. There is no standard for how these |
| Still, if you are looking for records that predate | | | | records should be kept. Some may be kept in a |
| the 1900’s, the records may simply not | | | | small and cramped record room, while others |
| exist. | | | | may be kept in a large, warehouse-style building. |
| If the records you seek are very old, call the | | | | Security varies widely between jurisdictions; the |
| courthouse ahead of time; they may have been | | | | records you seek may be kept under lock and |
| transferred to the state archives building, or they | | | | key, or have other restrictions placed on them. |
| may simply be nonexistent. In many cases, the | | | | You may or may not be allowed to make copies |
| laws requiring land deeds were not enforced until | | | | of these records. |
| the 1920’s, making it difficult to trace land | | | | Many old deed records are kept on microfilm; in |
| ownership prior to this period. Do not be shy | | | | some cases, these films may also be available |
| about asking for help finding the deeds you need; | | | | from the local LDS (Latter Day Saints) Family |
| this type of research can be intimidating at first, | | | | History Center, where they are mainly used for |
| as you walk into the courthouse on your quest. | | | | genealogical research. If you do not wish to visit |
| Courthouse clerks can be a great help in finding | | | | the courthouse, this can be an alternate way to |
| the information you need. | | | | access the deed records. |
| Deeds can be an excellent way to trace the | | | | Before conducting courthouse deed research, be |
| history of your land. They also contain information | | | | sure that the property you are interested in is, in |
| on the purchaser, which is useful for those | | | | fact, located in the county whose courthouse you |
| conducting genealogical research. The deed | | | | plan on visiting. Otherwise, your search will be |
| typically includes the original owner’s | | | | fruitless. |
| name, the new owner’s name, and the | | | | Consider taking your trip in the middle of the |
| date. It signifies the formal transfer of property | | | | month; this is often a quieter time in the records |
| from one party to the other. Depending upon the | | | | rooms of courthouses, because most real estate |
| information you seek, there may be records | | | | closing take place at the end of the month, and |
| other than deeds that will provide this information. | | | | title attorneys and clerks may need access to |
| For example, there may be a section of records | | | | these deed records in order to complete the sale. |