Hamilton County Deed Indexes 1794 - 1869
Note: artificial intelligence was not used in any way to create the information provided on this page or links from this page.
Hamilton County Recorder's Office (R. O.) Almost all deed books and deed book Indexes and other related records from 1794 to 1988 have been digitized and are now available at R. O. website. Before about 1915, all records and indexes were hand written. H.C.G.S. volunteers have transcribed, extended and enhanced many of the indexes and created typed indexes where none before has existed. Details, descriptions, research aids and links to the R. O. are given here for the benefit of H. C. G. S. members and the public.
Deed, Mortgage, Lease, Lien and other Recorder's Office Books 1794 - 1869
Below the instructions for retreiving any type of record book that was created from 1788 up to 1988. Once you have found a book and page of interest here or at the Recorders' website
Retrieving Documents from the Recorder's Office ( Abrev: R.O. As of 7/21/2025 )
The new document management system, Acclaim, from Harris Recording Solutions, requires you to enter a book number and page number of any historical document. Once you have a document type, a book # and a page # you will need to go to the new retrieval system. To use, click here: https://acclaim-web.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/AcclaimWebLive
Find the very large icon labeled BOOK/PAGE on the far right. Click on that Icon. On the left are 3 entry boxes:
Book Type |_All____________| example: Book Type |_DEED - Deed Books__|
Book |_______________| Book |_33________________|
Page |_______________| Page |_44________________|
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|___SEARCH___|
Enter a book # in the Book entry box, page # in Page entry box and select a book type. Click on Search
Scroll down to see the list of matches highlighted in brown. Click on the brown bar. The actual page image will appear to a window on the right side of the page.
Be aware that many of the deed books were microfilmed as 2 pages per image. Therefore if you have acquired a deed book page from the indexes below or on the Recorder's Website, you will need to divide that by 2 and enter that result in the " Page" box to get close to the book page needed. Then you can page forward or back ( < or >) if necessary an image or two to find the actual book page desired. For the example above page 44 will retrieve actual pages 87 and 88.
Deed Book – Grantee/Grantor (Surname)
Recorder Office Indexes 1794-1850 (handwritten) and HCGS transcriptions to 1869
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For more information on land records see:
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All original Seller and Buyer indexes by surname, first letter, are available on the Recorder's website here:
Deed Books were indexed (handwritten) 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 groups, A-Z, by the first letter of the Grantor surname (or Grantee surname in column 5). The order of the names is by the 1st letter of the surname as 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 transcriptions Finding Aid indexes – 1794 to 1869
Finding Aid 1794 to 1836
Original handwritten partial indexes 1 and 2, for some deed books A to W2 and 21 to 56, can be accessed from this webpage below. Original indexes were partially transcribed & enhanced by HCGS volunteers. The transcription also includes never indexed deed books A, F1, F2, M1, O, P, R2, S, 25 and 34.
The project took many years. Only page numbers were double checked, Some surname spelling was verified, indicated by a complete date in the date column. Click on the A to Z links just below for full alphabetic index of 25,000+ of 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 can be downloaded and are every word searchable PDF files (ctrl-F).
Enhanced typed Indexes 1 and 2 (1794-1836), deed books A to W2 & 21 through 56, by 1st letter of surname or organization.
Finding Aid 1836 to 1844 ( deed books 58 through 99 )
Original index 3 (by buyers surname) has been transcribed by HCGS volunteers. Page numbers were double checked, some surname spelling was verified as indicated by a complete date in the date column. Click on a link below for 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 finding aids can be downloaded and are every word searchable PDF files (ctrl-F). See Index 3 research aid article and index examples from The Tracer.
Finding Aid 1844 to 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 indexes 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 double checked, but only some surname spelling has been verified. These aids are every-word searchable PDF files (ctrl-F).
SELLER Surname, Total Alphabetic Finding Aid indexes – 1794 to 1836
Finding Aid 1794 to 1836
Covers deed books A to W2 and 21 to 56, but also includes handwritten previously un-indexed books A, F1, F2, M1, O, P, R2, S, 25, 34. From original indexes 1 & 2, these were 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 PDF files (ctrl-F). Click on one of the links below.
The deed book and page number are given which then can be used to look up the document at the Recorder's Office, see above under Retrieving Documents
ORIGINAL Grantee (buyer) and Grantor (seller) Recorder Surname Indexes – 1794 to 1836
In all index sets, surnames begining with letters B, C, H, M, S and W, are large files (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)
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Handwritten 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
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Books A, F1, F2, O, P, 25, 33, 34 were not indexed when created. For those, see HCGS Finding Aid 1794 - 1836 above.
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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)
Handwritten Index 1 (books B1 thru 26) only:
Handwritten Index 2 (books 28 thru 56) only
Handwritten INDEXES 3 & 4 to Deed Books 58 through 151 (1836-1851, all deeds are online at Recorder's Office, see above under Retrieving Documents
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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
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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 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers. see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
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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:
Original handwritten Indexes 5 through 21 to deed books (1850 to 1900) are on Recorder's Office webpages. To see what they cover and do not cover, each is described below with links to them:
Recorder's Office - Damaged Deeds
The following 82 Deed Books created 1836 to 1881, refered to as "damaged deeds" do to some pages lost in the court house fire of 1884. For some reason, they were never indexed by Recorder's Office.
59, 65, 68, 76, 78, 79, 81, 82, 85, 88, 102, 111, 122, 123, 129, 134, 138*, 143, 145*, 146*, 148*, 150, 182*,
185*,189*,190",191*,192, 201*, 211, 216*, 227*, 232, 233, 237*, 239, 240*, 241- 244*, 249*, 255, 258- 267*, 268,
269- 270*, 272, 273, 274*, 277, 278, 279*, 280, 282, 285 - 287*, 291- 292*,
312, 319, 321, 333, 339, 355, 383, 392, 459, 460, 507, 515
Those books in 2020-23 were completely indexed and transcribed by HCGS volunteers. To search them, go to this webpage: Damaged deed books
INDEX # 5 to Deed Books 153 through 199 (1851-1864)
Handwritten index # 5 for books: 153-155, 158, 159, 162, 163, 165, 166, 168, 169, 171, 173, 175, 176, 178, 179, 181, 186, 187, 195, 197-199 see Index # 5 at R.O.:
Books not indexed at R.O.: 156, 157, 182, 185, 189, 190 -192 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
INDEX 6 to Deed Books 200 through 251 (1854-1859)
Handwritten index #6 for books: 200, 202, 205, 206, 208, 209, 212, 214, 218, 219, 220, 223, 224, 228, 231, 235, 236, 239, 245-248, 250, 251 see Index # 6 at R.O. :
Books not indexed at R.O.: 201, 211, 216, 227, 232, 233, 237, 240-244, 249 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers, see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
INDEX # 7*, part 1 (first half) to Deed Books 252 through 290 (1859-1864)
Handwritten index #7 part 1 for for books 252-4, 256-7, 271, 275-6, 281, 283-4 and 288-290.
see Index # 7 part 1 at R.O.
Books not indexed at R.O.: 255, 258-70, 272-74, 277-80, 282, 285-87 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers. see HCRO Damaged Deeds page.
INDEX # 8* to Deed Books 291 through 332 (1864-1867),
Handwritten Index 8 for deed books: 293 to 311, 313-318, 320, 322-332
Books not indexed at R.O.: 291, 292, 312, 319, 321, 333 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers,
INDEX # 7*, part 2 (second half) to Deed Books 334 through 370 (1867-1869),
Handwritten Index 7 part 2 for deed books 334-338, 340-354, 356-370
see Index # 7 part 2 at R.O.
Books not indexed at R.O.: 339 and 355 have been indexed by HCGS volunteers,
INDEX # 9 to Deed Books 371 - 382, 384 - 391, 393 - 409 (1869-1873),
see handwritten Index # 9 at R.O.
Books 383 and 392 were not indexed at R.O., they have been indexed by HCGS volunteers,
INDEX # 10 to Deed Books 410 through 449 (1873-1876),
INDEX # 11 for Deed Books 450 through 489 (1876-1878)
see Index # 11 at R.O.
Books 459 and 460 were not indexed at R.O., have been indexed by HCGS volunteers,
INDEX # 12 for Deed Books 490 through 529 (1878-1882)
see handwritten Index # 12 at R.O.
Books 507 and 515 were not indexed at R.O. have been indexed by HCGS volunteers,
INDEX # 13 for Deed Books 530 through 569 (1882-1884)
see handwritten Index # 13 at R.O.
INDEX # 14 for Deed Books 570 through 609 (1884-1886)
see handwritten Index # 14 at R.O.
INDEX # 15 for Deed Books 610 through 649 (1886-1888), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office, see handwritten Index # 15 at R.O.
INDEX # 16 for Deed Books 650 through 689 (1888-1890)
see handwritten Index # 16 at R.O.
INDEX # 17 for Deed Books 690 through 729 (1890-1892), all of these deeds are online at Recorder's Office, see handwritten Index # 17 at R.O.
INDEX # 18 for Deed Books 730 through 769 (1892-1894)
see handwritten Index # 18 at R.O.
INDEX # 19 for Deed Books 770 through 826 (1894-1898)
see handwritten Index # 19 at R.O.
INDEX # 20 for Deed Books 827 through 850 (1898-1900)
see handwritten Index # 20 at R.O.
* 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: 4/22//2026 jgd 1/24/2020 rtb
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