Real Property Title History Lesson

[Jerseyman]

Folks:

Pinelandpaddler and I will be heading to the Burlington County Courthouse on Monday, 14 June 2010, so I can teach him the rudiments of conducting a real property title search. I can accommodate a few other nascent researchers at the same time who would like to learn the basics of how to use information filed at New Jersey courthouses. Please PM me if you are interested in attending. The first few people to respond and confirm their attendance will fill the slots, so check your calendars and let me know. Please do not respond if you think you may not be able to make it as that would deny someone else of the opportunity to learn.

I look forward to showing you “how ’tis done.”

Best regards,
Jerseyman

 

[Jerseyman]

Folks:

If you are planning to join Gabe and me (see message above) at the courthouse, please let me hear from you via a PM no later than Saturday evening (12 June) so I have a solid idea of who and how many are coming along.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Jerseyman

 

[RednekF350]

Jerseyman,
Please snap a picture at the instant Gabe's head explodes as you are explaining the finer points of the Russell Index System.

Actually things are much easier now with the computer indexing of a lot of the records and the staff at BC is very helpful.
Burlington County's' online service is great and it's free too. I use it to print copies of fairly current deeds without ever having to visit the building.
Gloucester County's online service is a privatized scam. You have to pay to research and pay again to look at a record before you even know if it is what you want. We use an abstractor there and in Camden County as well who are cheap and quick.

In the olden days, I did a lot of deed research for problem surveys in Camden using the Russell Index System. It really is quite an amazing system and it works.

Have fun you guys and Gabe, you are learning from a master

 

[Jerseyman]

Jerseyman,
Please snap a picture at the instant Gabe's head explodes as you are explaining the finer points of the Russell Index System.

Actually things are much easier now with the computer indexing of a lot of the records and the staff at BC is very helpful.
Burlington County's' online service is great and it's free too. I use it to print copies of fairly current deeds without ever having to visit the building.
Gloucester County's online service is a privatized scam. You have to pay to research and pay again to look at a record before you even know if it is what you want. We use an abstractor there and in Camden County as well who are cheap and quick.

In the olden days, I did a lot of deed research for problem surveys in Camden using the Russell Index System. It really is quite an amazing system and it works.

Have fun you guys and Gabe, you are learning from a master

Scott:

The Russell System, first patented in 1907, was one of well over a dozen indexing schemes—patented and unpatented—developed to speed the locating of specific documents. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, many county clerks would simply and grossly index deeds and mortgages chronologically and by the first letter of the surname. Some scrivners became a bit more specific by grouping the surname first letter by the given name first letter. Initially, some counties, including Burlington, indexed corporations and associations in separate volumes, but then that changed in 1922 with the next set of indices as the Russell System evolved.

The online deed service that Burlington County provides is great, but it only goes back to 1966. I suspect the service is too valuable to remain free forever, but I could be wrong. In my opinion, the “service” offered in Gloucester County is simply the result of patronage and political corruption in county government.

Salem and Hudson counties are the best two counties in which I have conducted title work. Salem goes the extra mile to record in which municipality the transaction occurred and Hudson County has an incredible numbering system and planbooks for virtually every piece of property in the county. The plan books record all deed transactions through at least the 1950s and you simply pull the deed book after you review the information in the plan books. While these plan books in some ways mimic tax parcels, they are not the same thing.

Thanks for your vote of confidence!

Best regards,
Jerseyman

 

[Ben Ruset]

I once attempted to look up some data in the Ocean County Courthouse. I was clueless and there was nobody there to help me, so I abandoned my search.

I'd like to see more data online. At least a list of current and former property owners.

 

[woodjin]

I would have liked to have joined you and Gabe, JM. But was unable to due to work. I'm sure it would have been very informative and useful.

Jeff

 

[RednekF350]

I once attempted to look up some data in the Ocean County Courthouse. I was clueless and there was nobody there to help me, so I abandoned my search.

I'd like to see more data online. At least a list of current and former property owners.

I don't think you will ever see any county get everything online, especially with today's bare bones governmental budgets. It is an overwhelming task.
Burlington County going back to 1966 is pretty impressive.

This free site gives you a very short chain of title with deed book and pages if there were recent transactions.
http://www.njactb.org/

Click record search and dial in your county and municipality. Searchable by name, street, block or block and lot.

 

[long-a-coming]

I worked part time in the Old Camden Courthouse a few years ago. My friend's father has been working in Titles and Deeds with his own company out of that courthouse for many years. I was the new kid in the company so I was given the task of going down to the basement to retrieve those huge old books going back to the early 1900s. I wish I could join you guys on the 14th it sounds like it would be very informative and interesting. I have to work 7a-3:30p that day.

 

[gipsie]

I would love to be able to meet you guys. I am setting up my classes for Geospatial Certification and I have a lot to do (plus a get together at the Pic on Saturday). Not sure if can give you a definite for Monday but would love to attend.


Jerseyman, if you are OK with a tagalong , I should know by Sunday morning where I stand. Let me know if you have room!