Believe me Robert.... I would love to be able to go back to pulling physical books and running chains on pages of entry text.  In some counties of Missouri that is still possible.  But  large numbers are inputting the data into computer databases - that aren't necessarily on the internet - but the database is subject to how it is input by the operator.  All those little nuances that you have to search in addition to obvious ones can drive you bonkers.  Nevertheless, the information is subject to interpretation - by the person inputting it - or even handwriting it into indexes.  Isn't that really what the bottom line of title insurance is?  That's called the public record..and that's why we research the records looking for clouds or issues that would affect ownership - whether its an easement running through the parking lot - or the neighbors driveway encroaching on our lot. It was certainly easier to zero in on a name (that even tho it was misspelled)that caught our eye because it was so familiar - and wound up being a conveyance that we desperately needed to fix the break in a chain we were running than it is to stare at pages and pages of typewritten indexing.  The volume of information in today's world almost demands the integration of computerization and databases in the land records.  But how the records are searched and by whom may make all the difference in the world in the insurability of a title.

You are so lucky you still can do it the "old" way... I was even told that they do not maintain any hard copy books of any indexes.  And being of the generation that I am, it is very difficult to understand how on earth they can be comfortable with just disks of stuff. 

.....sure was easy in the old days....

Ellen...:)