There is no requirement that abstracts be kept up to date. An abstract follows the chain of title -- it like insurance on your title but it is not required. There is a record of one sort or another when title to a property changes. If there wasn't the tax bill would still be going to the original owner. We all know the county knows who owns the property and how long they've owned it. I am not sure exactly what that record is, outside of probate, when it stays in the family. Probate may generate the record. I just don't know who generates it or precisely what it is. I assume they are meaning passed by inheritance. If a family member sold or gave it to another family member there would have to be new deeds. Cheryl Rothwell [email protected] Logan County ILGenWeb www.rootsweb.com/~illogan Central IL Regional Coordinator, ILGenWeb Clark, Downing, Harding, Lucas, et al -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 5/25/2005