Lesson On Local Land Records

EWGS member Anna Reeves emailed an interesting question to our local-records-research guru, Charles Hansen. Their emails and answers were shared with me to share with all of you.

Anna wrote to Charles:  "My grandparents came to Spokane in 1884 and became property owners Here. Several years ago I could do down to the courthouse and search through the grantor/grantee direct/indirect indexes. Then I would go look at the deeds. The last time I was there, they were in the process of digitizing all of those records. So you know what the process is nowdays in order to do that type of research? Do I still go to the courthouse or can it be  done line? Also, what happened to the original books? I figured that they would be transferred to the state archives in Cheney but I don't see them listed anywhere."

Charles's answer was, as always, right on:  "Anna, yes, all the grantor/grantee records were digitized, and at the courthouse they can bring those records up on their computers and make a print copy for you in seconds. There is an index online; I Googled it and it is listed with several other counties, so be sure you are in the Spokane County records. The actual record books are now at Cheney. The cost for copies is $1.00 a page at the courthouse and 25 cents a page at Cheney."

Thank you, Anna, for asking such a great question and thank you, Charles, for such a thorough answer.