Since the 1800s we, or our predecessors, have purchased a copy of each and every real estate document recorded with the Richland County Register of Deeds, whether it be a warranty deed, quit claim deed, land contract, mortgage, easement or many other types of instruments. 

 

Our tract index originally consisted of large books. Two townships were designated to each book. For example: Township 10 North, Range 1 West (Dayton Township) and Township 10 North, Range 2 West (Akan Township). Each Township is then broken down into Sections 1-36, and each Section is then broken down into Quarter Sections, and each Quarter Section is broke down into Quarter/Quarter Sections and each City, Village or Subdivision is broken down into Blocks and Lots. After each document is examined it is entered chronologically into each of the Quarter/Quarter sections or Block and Lot of the Subdivision the legal description falls into. In the mid 1990s the tract index was entered in computer software specifically designed for title companies, using the same basic steps as the old books.