I, too, started doing similar searches for a new client.  They are sometimes asking for a "copy request".  They'll give the owner address or occassionally the current Deed info.  Then they request a Deed chain to the developer.  This would be no big problem since they are willing to pay extra (more than just a standard copy cost), if I could comfortably just follow "and being" clauses on all of the Deeds.  But in order to be sure I am not missing any Deeds that may not be noted (gift Deeds, H/W Deeds, Quitclaims, etc), I am essentially having to do a full title search (ok, not a full, but run indices on each and every name, marriage licenses, wills, etc), to be certain there is nothing missed in the chain.  That can be EXTREMELY time consuming and I have to up my fee to compensate for it, which in turn can make the client balk b/c as far as they are concerned, it is a "simple Deed chain".