This step can be the most fun and often the most time consuming! The Register/Recorder’s Office holds deeds, mortgages, agreements, etc and can be a wealth of information. Start with the information you received at the Assessor’s Office and find the earliest possible owner on this list. Then, if you have their deed information (book and page number), find that deed and check for who these people purchased it from. It may mention the last transfer in the deed (which is a great sign) including the deed book number and page. If so, keep tracking back using this method. If no “last sale” is mentioned, you must then look in the indexes. There are several sets of these spanning different date ranges. Most items from the last 30 years or so are on the computer and can be searched, however, prior to that, you much use the index and search for the last name. Most of these books have a legend at the top to help you find the correct page in the index. These records (the indexes) are arranged alphabetically by first name within being arranged alphabetically by last name. Thus, find the last name for your earliest owner and go from there. Take the book and page numbers from these to continue your search until you find various owners of your home. From here there are two places you can go.

 

If you run into a sheriff sale of the property (sold due to debt or unpaid taxes) you may need to cross the hall to the Prothonotary’s Office. Ask them for the records and they will refer you to their location. Otherwise, if you have the names and deeds of your home, head to The Crawford County Historical Society.

 

The last step in our search (other resources may be available elsewhere…other societies, the internet, and other records may be available) will often bring us to the historical society. We now have a list of names, sale dates, and prices. What do these mean? Here we will find out!

 

There are several resources you can use to put a life to a name at CCHS. Look in our obituary card file to see if you can find a newspaper obit for the builder or inhabitor of your house. This may tell you about their life and accomplishments. Ask the volunteer at the society to get you the city directories for your area as they may list the person and occupation. Newspapers sometimes listed new construction for each year. The History of Crawford County contains short bios of several of our earlier citizens. Check the photo card files, the marriages, and other records the staff suggest. Keep searching. Using some of these tips, you can find out who roamed the halls of your home. Who’s stories could the walls in your house tell you?