Deeds
Instructions for searching Deed Records 1749 – 1912. Please read before using indexes.
1.
The
grantor index indexes the names of
the seller of the land. The grantee
index indexes the names of the buyer
of the land.
2. Click on the first letter of the surname or organization you are searching at the bottom of the page. (For example if you are searching for Michael Smith as a grantee, click on the letter “S(K-Z)”.
3.
The
deed indexes use the Russell soundex
system. This system is based on the
key letters “L-M-N-R-T”.
4. To find the section you need, take the last name you are searching and drop the first letter of the last name and all vowels. Next find the first two key letters in the name, or one if the name only has one. Duplicate key letters are ignored. If there are no key letters in the name, scroll down to the section marked “no key letters”.
For example:
Smith – key letters “m,t”
Sterner – key letters “t,r”
Deardorff – key letters “r”
Bear- key letter “r”
Boyd – no key letter
If the name is that of a Corporation or Organization, scroll down to the section labeled miscellaneous. This is located at the very end of the surname letter. For example Baum Brothers would be found at the end of the b K-Z section.
5. Once the key letters are determined, click on the matching key letters that are in lower case on the left of the screen. The capital letters are the first initial of the given name. This will link you to a page where the names will be listed in columns under the given name initial with a page number listed to the right. Click on the surname you want to search.
6. The second section of the index will list the names of the Grantor and Grantee, the volume and page where the deed is recorded, date recorded and location of property. If you are requesting a copy of the deed from the Archives, you need to provide the book and page number and either the name of the grantee or grantor.
To begin your search click on the appropriate letter:
 |
If Deed Books do not open up, then you are required to have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the documents. Click on the icon to download your free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader! |
*PLEASE NOTE*
The Deed Index files are very large and will load extremely slow for dial-up users. Dial-up users may find it more advantageous to download the specific index book to your personal pc before opening it for viewing. Right-click on index "Initials" link and save target to your local drive.
Grantee Surname Initials
Grantor Surname Initials
Definitions and abbreviations that are helpful when working with land records:
admr
- administrator
al – and others
est – estate
exr- executor
gdn - guardian
messuage – dwelling-house with the
adjacent buildings
patent –
final, official deed from the Penns or the Commonwealth, which conveys clear title and all rights to the
private owner
perch- a measure of land
containing five yards and a half, or sixteen feet and a half in length;
otherwise called a “rod” or “pole”.
ux –
and wife
vir- and husband
warrant –
certificate authorizing a survey of a tract of land; initiates title of a
property and provides the basis for legal settlement, but does not convey all
rights to the property
Types of
Records found in the Deed Index
Adjudications
Articles of Separation
Discharge of Slaves
Marriage Contracts
Mortgages (prior to 1842)
Ore Leases
Power of Attorney
Releases
Right
of Way
Soldiers
Discharge
Other Sources
If the deed is not recorded in the index and it is for an early land owner, check the warrant and patent index in the Search Room. Copies of warrants and patents may be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Archives. Sometimes deeds simply were not recorded, the property was sold at Sheriff’s sale or Orphan’s Court, or it could have been inherited through an estate.