Ross County Recorder working to make public records digital - Chillico Gazette

CHILLICOTHE -- Public deed records dating back to 1974 now are available online through the Ross County Recorder's website.

The new images are part of a three-year plan implemented in 2010 to add more of the older documents to the public records access site. Phase two will include half of the mortgage and lien images and, in 2012, the final images will be uploaded and the process will be complete. Ross County Recorder Kathy Dunn said she wants to provide easier access to the records.

"As recorder, I am pleased and excited about providing residents with the convenience of and greater access to their records," she said. "By the end of 2012, all deeds, mortgages and liens recorded since January 1, 1974, should be available on the Recorder's website. The records from the site can be viewed, printed or saved as a file on your computer."

The process has been time consuming. For example, Social Security numbers and other identifying information must be redacted from the files before they can be uploaded.

After the project is complete, Dunn plans future projects, including digital copies of plat recordings, cemetery records and other records that are deteriorating from time and use.

The website can be found at www.landaccess.com. People who have difficulty with the website can call the recorder's office at (740) 702-3000 to get help, or visit the office in the north end of the Ross County Courthouse on the corner of Paint and Main streets. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.