In the beginning, deeds books not only contained deeds but also mortgages, releases, mechanic liens, leases, power of attorney, partnerships, veteran discharges and other miscellaneous records until they were written in separate unique books.

When separate mortgage books began in 1823 with book #20, book #21 was made primarily a deed book. From that point on, as the books were filled, the next number was assigned to either deeds or mortgages depending on which was filled first. This continued until book 239. From that number onward, there is a deed book and mortgage book with the same number.

Deed Books are indexed in separate index books that list the surname and first name of the Grantor (from) in the first two columns, then the deed book letter or number and the page in the book in the next two columns.

In columns five and six, a separate “reverse” index, that is, by Grantee (to; buyer), surname and first names, then deed book letter or number and the page in the book in the last two columns.

The entire index books are separated into 26 sections, A - Z, by the first letter of the Grantor surname (or Grantee surname in column 5). The order of the names is as that letter of the alphabet occurs in each book, that is, page number order. Therefore, to find a particular Grantor (or Grantee) you must read through ALL the surnames beginning with the same letter of the surname of interest.

The deed books are available from the Deed Book Document Image Search page on this website under the “Document Images” drop-down menu from the main search page.

Indexes #1 through #4 buyers (grantee) have been fully transcribed by local volunteers. Sorted by surname and then first name in A-Z order with estimated year deed was recorded.

Look for the paragraph which begins “Finding Aid 1836-1844” on the Hamilton County Genealogical Society website Deed Indexes page.

Original handwritten deed indexes #1 and #2 from microfilm can be seen on the Hamilton County Genealogical Society website Deed Indexes page.

Click on a letter link below to view index pages by surname first letter.

The left half of the page has name of seller, then buyer. The right half of the page has name of buyer, then seller

1794 to 1823

Deed books in index #1: B1, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, Q, R1, T, U, V1, V2, W1, W2, 21, 22, 24, 26

Deed books not indexed: A, F1, F2, O, P, 25

Deed books indexed alone: M1, R2, and S

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S* T U V W XY Z

S surnames 1794 to 1836

* Index 1 and 2 surnames that begin with letter “S” are so large they have been broken up as follows.

Grantor (seller) S surnames in books B1-E2 searchable S surnames in books G-V1 searchable

Grantee (buyer) S surnames in books B1-Q searchable S surnames in books R1-28 searchable

Grantor (seller) S surnames in books V2-38 S surnames in books 39-56

Grantee (buyer) S surnames in books 29-46 S surnames in books 46-56

1823 to 1836

Deed books in index #2:  28, 29, 30, 32, 35, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56

Deed books not indexed:  33, 34

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S* T U V W XY Z

1836 to 1844

Deed books in index #3:  58, 61, 52, 64, 67, 70, 73, 75, 84, 85, 87, 91-94, 96, 97, 99

Deed books not indexed:  59, 65, 68, 76, 78, 79, 81, 82, 85, 88

A B C D E F G H IJ K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z

1844 to 1851

Deed books in index #4:  100, 101, 104, 105, 107-103, 112, 114-117, 119, 120, 125, 127, 128, 130, 133, 136-7, 139, 142, 151

Deed books not indexed:  102, 111, 122, 123, 129, 134, 138, 143, 145, 146, 148, 150

A B C D E F G H IJ K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z

These deeds and indexes are also available on microfilm at the following locations:

  • Recorder’s Office, 138 East Court St., second floor, room 205, downtown Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave.

Reference

More information on deed book indexes can be found on page 68 of this book:

Hamilton County, Ohio, Guide to Recorder’s indexes and Documents 1794-1988, by William H. Graver (2003), Little Miami Publishing, Milford Ohio.

Copies are available at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine St. Cincinnati Ohio