TIME IS MONEY FOR US.  For heaven's sake don't agree to do a search back to patent without getting paid BIG bucks.  Besides, if the rest of the country is like Michigan, there are a LOT of instances where phone and power never bothered to record the easements.  You'd better have a heavy-duty disclaimer to go with your write-up.

One of my disclaimers -- and that of my fellow vendor managers -- state that easements and restrictions are within the timeframe of the search ONLY (and frankly, I usually refuse to do anything in back of 1920 because little things like drains just weren't recorded).  If they want easements, a full search fee is required.  We have to search grantee/grantor so it's only fair (no tract).  For commercial, we go back to 1920 and charge accordingly.

AS FOR MINERAL SEARCHES -- unless you're an oil/gas landman (or an abstractor in Texas), don't do it!  Most mortgage abstractors do not understand the implications and don't know their state's dormancy (or lack thereof) rules.  And how about "held by production?"  Landmen charge BIG bucks for mineral searches and for good reason.  The liability is huge.  Anyone who wants my letter to clients about the pitfalls of oil/gas/minerals, I'll be happy to send it to you.  (I did oil/gas work in PA for over a year and also some in Ohio.)