In order to search and provide copies of deeds, the reference staff of the State Archives requires the county of record, the book number or letter, and page. Researchers who are unable to provide that information may request entries from county indices for a given buyer or seller.
The vast majority of recorded deeds are written agreements by which real property or an interest therein is transferred from one party to another in exchange for a specified sum called the consideration. The seller is generally called the grantor, the buyer the grantee. Although there was no requirement for buyers to deed personal property, many parties often recorded sales or gifts of other property in deeds.
Descriptions of original deed books held by the State Archives are summarized in the online catalog. Deed books and indices to deeds may be available through individual county register of deeds websites and on FamilySearch.org.