The most important type of land record is a deed. The deed is a document conveying title of property from one party to another. Deeds establish proof of legal ownership of land.

Both Civil Registration and Census Returns run out when you get back to about 1840, and rarely provide information relevant before 1800. At this stage you need to turn to Parish Records: These date back to the mid 1500's. Cromwell, at the Court of Henry VIII, ordered that every wedding, baptism and burial should be recorded.

There are various types of deeds to property. The most common are the warranty deed which transfers property with assurance of good title and the quitclaim deed which transfers one person's interest in the property without guarantee of good title.