Old Deed Index User Guide | Fairfield County Recorder

To Search for the Grantor & Grantee Index Books in AVA

Use the steps below to locate historical Grantor/Grantee Index pages in AVA and open the scanned book pages. Tip: Click any screenshot to open the full-size image in a new tab.

Basic Search Steps

Select GRANTOR INDEX or GRANTEE INDEX in the Document Type field.
Enter the first letter of the name you are searching for in the Last Name field.
Click SEARCH.

How the search results are sorted (important)

Search Results display in date range / alphabetical order descending (most recent at the top).
Recorded Date is a placeholder date required by AVA and does not represent an actual recording date.

AVA Document Type dropdown with Grantor Index and Grantee Index options. — **Screenshot:** Select the Document Type (Grantor Index or Grantee Index).

AVA search fields showing last name entry and search button. — **Screenshot:** Enter the first letter of the last name and click SEARCH.

Understanding the Search Results

The Search Results list includes the Grantor/Grantee Index pages that match the letter entered.

How records are identified

Document No identifies:
- GR = Grantor pages, GE = Grantee pages
- The date range of the index book (example: 1900–1955) and the alphabetical range (example: DO–DZ)
- Key identifies the key pages of each book
- The number at the end (example: 61) refers to the index book page referenced in the key pages
Doc Type identifies the type of index book.

AVA search results list with Document No, Doc Type, and rows of index records. — **Screenshot:** Example Search Results list (Document No and Doc Type columns).

Open and Navigate an Index Book Image

To view a record, click the desired row, then click the image icon on the left side of the row.
Use the toolbar below the image to navigate:
- Magnifying glass to zoom in/out
- Double-arrow to scroll page-by-page

Example view of an opened index book image within AVA. — **Screenshot:** Example of an opened index book image.

Locate a Particular Name Using Key Pages

1800–1970 Index Books (Cutout Names + Mixed Name Groups)

Open the desired Key page using the image icon.
Use the double-arrow to scroll through the key image pages.
Note the page number for the name you need, then click Back to return to results.
In Search Results, locate the row with the matching letter range (example: DA–DN) and—if applicable—the page number shown on the key page.
Open that row’s image to view the correct index page(s).

Cutout Names vs. Mixed Name Groups (what to look for)

Cutout Names (top portion of key pages): Document No includes letter range and the page number.
Mixed Name Groups (bottom portion of key pages): Document No includes the letter range; page number may not be listed, but the correct page opens when viewed.

Example of a key page section showing names and referenced page numbers. — **Screenshot:** Example Key page section (use it to find the page number for a name).

Search results rows showing letter ranges and page numbers that match entries on key pages. — **Screenshot:** Matching Search Result rows for Cutout Names (letter range + page number).

Search results rows showing letter ranges that correspond to mixed name groups on key pages. — **Screenshot:** Matching Search Result rows for Mixed Name Groups (letter range shown).

1971–1996 Index Books (Cutout Names Only)

Open the desired Key page using the image icon.
Note the page number, then click Back to close the image.
In Search Results, locate the row that contains the letter range listed on the key page (example: B–BN).
Open that row’s image to display the index pages for the selected letter range.
To reach the correct page:
- Use the double-arrow, or
- Enter the page number in GO TO PAGE and click Go.

Index book image viewer controls including page navigation options. — **Screenshot:** Image viewer controls for navigating pages.

Example of using go-to-page navigation to jump to a specific page number in an index book image. — **Screenshot:** Using Go To Page to jump to a specific page number.