Assessor's Index Books, 1910-1987

These tract index books summarize real property transactions and point to the book and page where the actual documents were recorded. Information regarding ownership of a specific parcel of land can be traced from about 1987 back to 1910 or sometimes earlier using these books. They are arranged alphabetically by name of subdivision for subdivided land, or numerically by section, township and range in the metes and bounds books, then chronologically within by date of the recorded instrument. The books list legal description of land; name of grantee; book, page, and date recorded; and sometimes the type of deed. These transactions can then be looked up in the Recorder's deed and record books to view the document.

Ownership of land from 1987 to the current owner can be traced at the Assessor's office. Ownership prior to 1910 or the earliest entry in the index book can be traced backwards to the patentee using other records such as Grantor and Grantee Indexes, Abstract of Land Entries book, and Deed Books.