From genealogists tracking family history, to landmen doing research on the job, researching records has been one of the main functions of county courthouses around the nation. However, people are moving from the courthouse to their laptop as records have become more accessible, thanks to the internet. A large number of municipalities now offer online access to records, so courthouse research is easier and less time consuming than in the past. If you’re planning to dive into the realm of historical and property records, here are the things you’ll need to help you in your search.
Access to Public Records
The courthouse has a wealth of information that can help those seeking the information found in public records. Land ownership records such as titles, deeds, and tax records can all be found within its walls, in addition to birth, marriage, and death certificates. An increasing number of counties are offering online records as well. Finding records, even online, can take a great deal of time, patience, and money, but there are a number of websites that can help in the search.
Sites such as CourthouseDirect.com have records available for nearly any municipality, including mortgage records, judgments, oil and gas leases, grantor/grantee indexes, and other historical records. Online services like ours can speed up research and be done from the comfort of your home or home office.
Spare Change, a Camera, or a Printer
Regardless of whether you are working on your own or with outside help, you’ll need a way to make copies. Each courthouse has its own rules for copying records, so be sure to ask or clarify before you go. Some charge for each copy, including copies you make by snapping a photo on your cell phone, while others charge for copying but not for digital photos. If you are finding records online, you’ll need access to a printer to make copies. It is essential to keep a record of everything you have found.
Laptop or Computer Access
The internet has opened many doors in courthouse research. With the vast array of records available online, having online access is one of the most important items for your researcher’s toolkit. A laptop is convenient so you can take it anywhere for documenting research on you go.
Organizational Tools
Staying organized is extremely important when doing research. Keep everything in chronological order to avoid wasting time digging through documents when you need them most. Some researchers find it helpful to keep a clearly marked file folder for each document in a family tree or chain of title.
Time
While ultimately rewarding, researching ancestry can be extremely time consuming. You will likely spend hours digging for information on the internet, at the library, or at the courthouse. Be realistic about how much time you can reasonably afford to spend on investigation, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Websites can be a valuable resource for saving time and money in genealogical research, but if you have to make a trip to your local courthouse, make sure to know the hours and get there early!
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
