You may have to talk with an attorney. I know that there have been fires in some of the county offices many years ago and death certificates, birth certificates, marriage, etc. were lost. First you should check with relatives and find any old papers that you possibly can which might help you to build some kind of case, otherwise you might have to search all the country records to looks for deeds etc. The more papers or info you can get from family the less it will cost if you have to pay someone like an attorney, landman, etc.