Mr. Cole,
I have only recently begun learning about mineral rights, but here’s what I can offer:
– Coalinga was the first big oil strike in CA. It’s been a very productive oil region. You can look this up on the internet, e.g., search Coalinga, CA, and Oil.
I had a conversation yesterday with an employee in the Fresno County Assessor’s office, mapping section.
Based on that conversation, I can say:
– You could try finding a record of your family’s title with the Fresno County Recorder’s office, but chances are, you will need to engage a title search company to do that research for you, as Ms. Pledger has said (below).
– The County Assessor’s office only keeps records on properties that have produced or are producing taxable income activity.
If you have never heard from the Fresno Assessor, it may be because your family transferred title, or that no oil production has ever been done on the property.