by Kimberly WEAVER Teeple
Tucked away in the Crawford County Recorder’s Office lies a genealogical secret: property records! At our June 2025 meeting, Crawford County Recorder Bonnie Cotton revealed how to find and use these records in your genealogies. From deeds and mortgages dating back to the 1830s to searchable digital records from 1993 onward, these documents can fill in missing details, confirm identities, and offer glimpses into your ancestors’ lives. Attendees learned how to access these hidden treasures and use them to enrich their family histories.
Bonnie explained that the mission of the Crawford County Recorder’s Office is to record, preserve, protect, and retrieve documents in accordance with state guidelines. She shared her passion for expanding digital access to historical records, including original land deeds dating back to the early 1830s. She also emphasized the office’s role in safeguarding property interests and ensuring public access to records for both legal and genealogical research. These documents are vital tools for tracing land ownership and confirming family connections.
To research property records dated before 1993, you’ll need to visit the Recorder’s Office in Bucyrus, Ohio. Office hours are listed on their website at http://www.crawfordohrecorder.com, but it’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm they’ll be open when you arrive. Bonnie and her team are always happy to answer questions and help guide your research.
Genealogy Research Checklist: What to Bring to the Recorder’s Office
✅ Names of ancestors you’re researching (with spelling variations)
✅ Approximate dates of property ownership or residence
✅ Known addresses or township locations in Crawford County
✅ Notebook or digital device for taking notes or photos of the documents.
✅ Photo ID (some records may require identification)
✅ Questions prepared for staff assistance
Once you arrive at the office, you can use the indexes located on the shelves near the front door to find the oldest records. There are two indexes: one is by surname and the other is by the Township/Range/Section location. For the surname index, you will need to know the first name and surname of the ancestor you are researching. If you know the Crawford County township where your ancestor owned property, you may find the Township Index easier to use.
Index by Surname
The surname index books are located on the front side of the shelves (nearest the door) and arranged by date. For example, records dated between 1820 and 1840 will be in one book. Select the book that most closely matches the dates you have for your ancestor, and find their surname in the front of the book. Once you find the surname, note the page number, and find the page in the same book. Here you will find the names of people with that surname. When you find your ancestor, note the Deed Book name and number.
Next step is to locate the Deed Book which are located further down in the same aisle, older books are located on the front wall. And then, find the page noted in the surname index book to look up the recorded deed.
Index by Township
The township index books are on the other side of the shelf from the surname books in the 2nd aisle. Find the township book where your ancestor owned property. Each township book is arranged by Range and Section. If you know this information, flip directly to these pages to find the history of property changes for the property. If you don’t, it is not too overwhelming to review each page for your ancestor’s name, especially if the property is outside of a town like Bucyrus or Galion. Once your ancestor is located, note the Deed Book and page number.
Next steps is to locate the Deed Books. The oldest Deed Books are located on the other side of the aisle and on the front wall.
[Insert image of index page here]
Don’t be bashful! The Office staff is happy to help you! In fact, they will likely come visit you to see if you want their help.
Click Into the Past: Online Tools for Crawford County Ohio Property Research
https://www.crawfordohrecorder.com/
Home page for the Crawford County Ohio Recorder’s website.
https://crawfordoh.compiled-technologies.com/
Public Research database for the Crawford County Ohio Recorder’s Office. Find Deeds, mortgages, plats, and other instruments authorized by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) since 1993.
https://glorecords.blm.gov/
The Bureau of Land Management’s General Land Office (GLO) Records site is a goldmine for genealogists researching ancestral land ownership, especially for deeds before 1900. Find land patents, survey plats & field notes, land Status records, control documents, and tract books.
https://ccauditor.crawford-co.org/
Search the Crawford County Ohio Auditor’s site for real estate, property records, and tax settlements.
