From 1794 to 1843, Leases were recorded in Deed Books A to W2 (1794-1823) and # 21 to 140. Leases were indexed in the Deed Book Indexes, # 1 to # 4. The word “Lease” or abbreviation “Ls” next to the Grantor or Grantee can be found in the deed indexes. Deed Book indexes #3 and #4 and an Alphabetic Grantee (Buyer) surname index for deed books 58 through 140 can be found at the Hamilton County Genealogical Society’s website Hamilton County Deed Index page.

Descriptions of Lease books numbered 1 to 122 and Lease surname indexes can be found on the Recorder’s Office website Historic Records page.

Lease Surname indexes # 1, 2 and 3 for Lease Books 5 through 122 can be seen at the Hamilton County Genealogical Society’s website Land Records page.

Additional information on Hamilton County property records can be found at the Hamilton County Genealogical Society’s website Land Records page.

Overview

  • Lease books 1 through 122 (1843 - 1902), are on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office and are online at the Recorder’s Office website Lease Search page. As the title page is image #1, add 1 to the page number you wish to see on the search page.
  • Lease books 1 through 122 (1843 - 1902), and Lease Indexes 1, 2 and 3 are available online via our Family Search web page.
  • Lease books 123 through 213 (1901 - 1931) are on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office and the surnames were indexed in the rear of each book.
  • Lease books 214 through 315 (1931 - 1971) are on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office and the surnames indexes are on microfilm labeled “Lease Indexes 1931-1949 and 1949-1955 and 1955-1971”
  • Lease books 316 through 338 (1971 - 1979) are on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office and the surnames were indexed in the rear of each book.
  • Lease books 339 through 359 (1979 - 1988) are on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office and have no indexes.

Deed books 21 through 200 also contained mortgages, releases, mechanic liens, leases, power of attorney, partnerships, veteran discharges, etc. An index for non-deed records in deed books is called Sundries Index# 1. It is available online at the Hamilton County Genealogical Society’s webpage.

Page Numbering

The lease book title page is image # 1, so to get to the page of interest, add 1 to the index page number and enter that number in the search page box.

Quality of Images

Over 25,000 pages are in Lease books 1 to 122. Those online as of July 2017 were originally processed with uniform image enhancement settings. As time permits, all the pages will be reviewed. Those of poor quality will be individually enhanced to provide the best image possible.

Revision: 20170711 JGD