Recorder's Office
Real estate transactions are located in this office in each county. Generally, deed records are very complete in most counties since it is necessary to maintain good records to maintain a clear title to land. In Ohio, the term GRANTOR refers to the person selling the land, and GRANTEE is the purchaser. The system of surveying land in Ohio is rather complicated, and it is important and helpful to understand this system before attempting deed research.
Quick Claim Deed
This is a deed by which the heirs of a deceased person give clear title to the land to the Grantee. They are usually found in two forms: (1) one deed signed by all the heirs, or (2) a series of individual deeds each signed by the individual heirs. If a series is involved, it is necessary to know the married surnames of female heirs, or to check under the name of the Grantee to find all the deeds. These records are important if Probate records prove incomplete.
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This deed indicates that a petition for sale, partition or assignment of widow's dower has been filed in Common Pleas Court by one or more heirs of a deceased person. It often shows relationship, place of residence and other data; however, more complete data will usually be found in Common Pleas Court.
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Administrator or Executor Deeds
This type of deed indicates the sale of land of a deceased person by the administrator or executor of the estate. You must know the name of that agent in order to find this deed in the indices, as it is rarely filed under the name of the deceased.
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Warranty Deed
This deed records the purchase or sale of land with the consideration of money being the primary interest.
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Deed of Gift
The sale of land where some relationship (such as son or nephew) is involved, and the consideration (rather than money or a very small sum) is "love and affection."
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Power of Attorney
An action granting legal authority to someone to act as agent for another, usually when the owner lives outside the area where the land is located.
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Deed of Mortgage
A deed pledging property to a creditor as security for the consideration of money. Often, mortgages were held by relatives and may give genealogical data.
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Deed of Agreement
Usually involves the sale of persional property from one party to another, or may deed land to one party in consideration for the Grantee having agreed to care for the parties involved until their deaths (often indicates a child/parent relationship).
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Deed Index
In Ohio, deeds are usually indexed in one of two ways: (1) a general index combining the Grantor and Grantee deeds (such as in Scioto County, where the Grantor is on the left-hand page and the Grantee is on the right-hand page in the front half of the index, and reversed in the latter half); or (2) separate indices to Grantor and Grantee. When the latter method is used, both sets must be consulted.
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Patent Deed
This deed indicates land purchased from the United States Goverment, and the deed may read "...granted by Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States to..." (or the president at the time of transfer). This refers to land bought from a Federal land office (Chillicothe contained such an office, which served south-central Ohio; the Marietta office served eastern Ohio).
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Abstract Index
This is a listing of land owners by description of land, in chronological order. Only a few counties in Ohio are listed in this manner.
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