So, you've got a question for the library...

One of our most popular research requests involves property questions. But, did you know? You can get a great start on answering these types of questions on your own. All you need is a phone or computer and the Internet.

Say you'd like to know more about who owned your home. Well, let's start with your address and head over to the McHenry County Recorder's Office online free public records search database (https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/county-recorder/public-records-search-options). While this isn't the best way to search, your address is a good starting point.

Let's try an example. Let's enter 220 E South Street, Woodstock, IL 60098. Some of you may recognize this address. Any guesses? It's the Bundling Board Inn near the Woodstock Square!

So, if you've followed along, then you realize that searching by address didn't bring up any results for us. So what now? Now, if you know the name of a current or past owner, you can try a second search using the name. However, say we don't have that information.

Well, next we try the McHenry County Property Tax Inquiry. Why? Because your taxes are searchable by your address. Even better, though... Your tax records have your property's legal description and parcel Number. So, what are a legal description and a parcel number?

The legal description is the precise location and measurement of real property. You use your legal description when transferring the title because it is more accurate than your address. The Parcel Number is your Property Identification Number (PIN). In our example, the legal description is "DOC 2022R0003579 W PT LT 1 /EX W 4FT/ BLK 1 STRODES ADDN" and the parcel number is 13-08-129-032. 

Now let's put this information to use. Let's return to the Recorder's Office site and search by parcel number. This provides us with several more records for the property, including ownership records. As for the legal description. Well, here's where we come in!

Here at the research library, our collection includes atlases dating back to the 1800s. Using the legal description, we can locate the property on these atlases. Many, especially older (less populated) ones, will include the names of those who owned the property. Filling in the blanks in the Recorder's records.

Returning to our example, we'll use McHenry County Atlases, search by town (Woodstock), and for Lot 1, Block 1 of Strodes Addition. Town centers rarely have names listed, though, so no luck identifying owners in our 1892, 1908, or other atlases. But, if there is a name, structure, orchard, barn, etc. to be found, that is where we'll find it for you!