Hamilton County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 15865
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215-0865
Telephone:  (513) 956-7078

HCGS Facebook  

A chapter of the
Ohio Genealogical Society

Hamilton County Deed Indexes

 
 
Deed Book – Grantee/Grantor (Surname)
Original Recorder Office Indexes 1794-1903
For more information on land records see:
Deed Books are indexed in separate index books that list the surname and first name of the Grantor (from=seller) and the Grantee (to=buyer) in the first 2 columns, then the deed book letter or number and the page in the book in the next 2 columns. In columns 5 and 6, a separate "reverse" index, that is, by Grantee (to) and Grantor (from) surnames and first names, then deed book letter or number and the page in the book in the last 2 columns. The original 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 the 1st letter of the surname occurred 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 1st letter of the surname of interest. Access to the original indexes, 1 through 8, are further down this webpage.
 
 
BUYER Surname, Total Alphabetic Finding Aid indexes – 1794 to 1869
The deed book # and page are given which then can be used to look up the document at the Recorder's Office. As of June 2020, the deed books A to W2 and 21 through 852 have been digitized and are online and can be accessed from the new  Recorder's Office search page. On that page, the top right corner has a "Document Images" drop-down menu. On the menu look for 'Deed Books' or "Deeds A-W2" in the list. For deeds A through W2, detailed information is in this help file. For deeds 21 through 4144, detailed information is in this help file.
 
Finding Aid 1794 to 1836
Deed books A to W2 and 21 to 56 from original indexes now also includes deed books A, F1, F2, M1, O, P, R2, S, 25 and 34. Original indexes 1 & 2 (by buyers surname) was transcribed by HCGS volunteers. Page numbers have been double checked, but only some surname spelling has been verified indicated by a complete date in the date column. Click on a link below for full alphabetic index of 25,000+ buyer (Grantee) surnames.  Use the book(s) and page number(s) found for the surname of interest. To find the buyer (Grantee -- 3rd surname column on the page) and seller full name in the original index, see the original index pages in the section below. These aids are every-word searchable (ctrl-F). Indexes 1 and 2 (1794-1836) for deed books A to W2 and 21 through 56, arranged by 1st letter of surname or organization.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   XYZ
 
 
Finding Aid 1836 to 1844
Deed books 58 through 99. Original index 3 (buyers surname) has been transcribed by HCGS volunteers. Page numbers have been double checked, but only some surname spelling has been verified indicate by a complete date in the date column. Click on a link below for full alphabetic index of 14,600 buyer (Grantee) surnames.  Use the book(s) and page number(s) found for the surname of interest. To find the buyer (grantee -- 3rd surname column on the page) and seller full names in the original index, see the original index pages in the section below. Because spelling varied so much in the 1820s and 1830s, questionable spelling is indicated with a ? after the names. The ? names will be checked as time permits. These finding aids are every-word searchable (ctrl-F). Index 3 research aid article and index examples from The Tracer.
 
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  XYZ
 
 
Finding Aid 1844-1869
Deed books 100 through 370. Original indexes 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 8, 7.2 have been transcribed and enhanced by HCGS volunteers. These are total alphabetic deed or document index by buyers' surname, then by first name ( if available). As the project progressed, many first names have been added and some actual deeds reviewed for spelling errors in the original indexes. Also, in the 1840's, when a non-deed document was recorded, the document type was sometimes indicated, although abbreviated in most cases. Click on a link below for full alphabetic index of over 80,000 buyer (Grantee) surnames and estimated year deed was recorded.  Page numbers have been doubled checked, but only some surname spelling has been verified. These aids are every-word searchable PDF files (ctrl-F).
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X  Y  Z
 

 
SELLER Surname, Total Alphabetic Finding Aid indexes – 1794 to 1836
 
Finding Aid 1794-1836
Covers deed books A to W2 and 21 to 56, but also includes un-indexed books A, F1, F2, M1, O, P, R2, S, 25, 33 and 34. From original indexes 1 & 2 transcribed by HCGS volunteers. All sellers for books A thru W2 and about 37% of sellers in books 21 through 56 (total 17,974) listed in A to Z order, arranged by 1st letter of surname or organization. These aids are every-word searchable (ctrl-F). Click on one of the links below.
 
Seller surnames begin with:    ABCDE    FGHIJK    LMNOPQR    STUVWXYZ
 
The deed book and page number are given which then can be used to look up the document at the Recorder's Office. As of June 2020, deed books A to W2 and 21 through 475 can be accessed from the new Recorder's Office search page. On that page, the top right corner has a "Document Images" drop-down menu. On the menu, click on "Deed Books" or "Deeds A-W2" in the list to get the page with the book and page of interest.
 

 
ORIGINAL Grantee (buyer) and Grantor (seller) Recorder Office Surname Indexes – 1794 to 1903
 
Note: original Indexes 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8 and 9 through 19 are available.
In all index sets, surnames begining with letters B, C, H, M, S and W, are large (3-5mb) so they may take longer to download.
 
INDEXES 1 & 2 to Deed Books B1 to W2 & 21 to 56 (1789 – 1836) (all deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index 1&2 contains entries for deed books: B1,C,D1,D2,E1,E2. G,H,I,J,K,L,N,Q,R1,T,U,V1,V2,W1,W2,
21,22,24,26,28, 29,30,32,35,38,39,41,42,43,44,46,47,49,50,52,53,55,56
Books A,F1,F2,O,P,25,33,34 were not indexed when created. See Finding Aid 1794 - 1836 above.
Books M1, R2 and S were indexed individually.  Access these books here:    M1    R2    S
 Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter
 (Note: seller (grantor) names on left side of page, buyer (grantee) on right side)
 
  Letter B surnames:   Books B1 thru V2           Books W1 thru 32           Books 35 thru 56
  Letter S surnames:   Books B1 thru W2          Books 21 thru 44             Books 46 thru 56
 
  Index 1 (books B1 thru 26) only:
  A        C   D   E   F   G  H   I   J   K   L   M    N   O  P   Q   R       T   U   V   W   XY   Z
 
Index 2 (books 28 thru 56) only
  A       C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R       T   U   V    W   XY   Z
 
INDEXES 3 & 4 to Deed Books 58 through 151 (1836-1851, all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Indexes 3&4 contain entries for deed books: 58,61,52,64,67,70-73, 75,84,85,87,91-94,96,97,99,100,101,104,105,107,108,109,112,114, 115,116,117,119,120,125,127,128,130,133,136-7,139,142,151
Books 59,65,68,76,78,79,81,82,85,88,102,111,122,123, 129,134,138,143,145,146,148,150 were not indexed but are now being indexed by HCGS volunteers. see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Deed Index 3 The Tracer article & reseach aid and examples of HCGS transcription
 Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter. An asterisk means large file. (Note: some are not yet available)
  Index 3 and 4, Grantor  (seller)   to   Grantee (buyer) only:        C*    H*    L*    S    W*
  Index 3 and 4, Grantee (buyer) from Grantor  (seller) only:        C*    H*    L*    S    W*
  Index 3 only, books   58 thru  99,  Grantor  (seller)   to   Grantee (buyer) - left side of pages and
  Index 3 only, books   58 thru  99,  Grantee (buyer) from Grantor  (seller) - right side of pages:   B*
  Index 4 only, books 100 thru 151, Grantor  (seller)   to   Grantee (buyer) only:    B*    M*
  Index 4 only, books 100 thru 151, Grantee (buyer) from Grantor  (seller) only:   B*    M*
 
  Index 3 and 4, Grantor (seller) to Grantee (buyer) and Grantee (buyer) from Grantor (seller) together:
  A           D*   E   F*   G*       I_J*    K            N   O   P*   Q   R*        T*   U   V        XYZ
 
INDEXES to 5 & 6 to Deed Books 153 through 251 (1850-1859, all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index 5&6 contains entries for deed books: 153-5,158-9,162-3,165-6, 168-9,171,173,175-6,178-9,181,186-7,195,197-9,200,202,205,206, 208,209,212,214,218,219,220,223-4,228,231,235-6,239,245-8,250-1
Books 156,157,182,185,189,190-92,201,211,216,227, 232,233,237,240-44,249 were not indexed but are now being indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
 Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter (Note: some are not yet available)
  Index 5 only (books 153 thru 199):
          B   C                  G   H           K   L   M                        R   S                  W
  Index 6 only (books 200 thru 251):
          B   C                  G   H           K   L   M                        R   S                  W
  Index 5 and 6 (books 153 thru 251):
   A               D   E   F             I   J                  N   O   P   Q             T   U   V         XYZ
 
INDEX  7 to Deed Books 252 through 290* (1859-1864), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index  7 part 1 (first half) contains entries for deed books: 252-4, 256-7, 271, 275-6, 281, 283-4 and 288-290.
Books 255, 258-70, 272-74, 277-80, 282, 285-87 were not indexed were not indexed but are now being indexed by HCGS volunteers. see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   XYZ
 
INDEX 8 to Deed Books 291 through 332* (1864-1867), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index  8 contains entries for deed books: 293 to 311, 313-318, 320, 322-332  Books 291, 292, 312, 319, 321, 333 were not indexed were not indexed but are now being indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XYZ
 
INDEX 7 to Deed Books 334 through 370 (1867-1869), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index  7 part 2 (second half) contains entries for deed books: 334-38, 340-354, 356-70   Books 339 and 355 were not indexed but have been indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XYZ
INDEX 9 to Deed Books 371 through 409 (1869-1873), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Index  9 contains entries for deed books: 371-82, 384-391, 393-409    Books 383 and 392 were not indexed but have been indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 10 to Deed Books 410 through 449 (1873-1876), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 11 to Deed Books 450 through 489 (1876-1878), only deeds 450 to 475 are online at Recorder's Office,
450 through 489 are available at FamilySearch.org )  Books 459 and 460 were not indexed but have been indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 12 to Deed Books 490 through 529 (1878-1882), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Books 507 and 515 were not indexed
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 13 to Deed Books 530 through 569 (1882-1884), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 14 to Deed Books 570 through 609 (1884-1886), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 15 to Deed Books 610 through 649 (1886-1888), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter. 
 
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
 
INDEX 16 to Deed Books 650 through 689 (1888-1890), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
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
 
INDEX 17 to Deed Books 690 through 729 (1890-1892), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L   M    Mc  N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XY  Z
 
INDEX 18 to Deed Books 730 through 769 (1892-1894), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M   Mc  N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XY  Z
 
INDEX 19 to Deed Books 770 through 826 (1894-1898), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Officeg)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    Mc  N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XY  Z
 
INDEX 20 to Deed Books 827 through 850 (1898-1900), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter. The continuation pages mentioned at the end of each letter have not yet been found.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H    I-J-K   L   M-Mc   N-O-P-Q   R   S   T-U-V    W   XY  Z
 
INDEX 21 to Deed Books 851 through 890 (1900-1903), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office)
Click on a link below to view index pages by surname first letter.
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J    K    L    M    Mc   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V    W   XY  Z
 
INDEX 21a to Deed Books 891 through 901 (1903) has not been located
 
INDEX 22 to 27 for Deed Books 901 through 1104 (1903-1914)
are available now at Recorder's Office website at:
https://recordersoffice.hamilton-co.org/helpful_information/historic_records/hr4_dbi_5to21a.html
 
Deed Books for 1914 to 1922 and 1926 to 1988
Deed Indexes for years 1914 to 1922 and 1926 through 1998 are online at Recorder's Office at:
The indexes for current missing years are being assembled (April 2023) and will become available as time permits.
 
 
* Sometime in the past, previous deed indexes were combined into those that exist today. Current deed index 7 was made from indexes before index 8 and after index 8. To avoid confusion, the index numbers, as they exist on microfilm, are retained. The deed books in these indexes are correct as listed here, not as listed in Wm. Graver's book on page 68.
 
 
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
 
Page modified: 4/3/2023 jgd 1/24/2020 rtb