How to find mineral rights

Ownership and Title
1

I am my Father’s only child, he was an only child as well. My question is my Granddaddy was a wildcatter and bought a lot of mineral rights up and down the I-20 corridor in Texas. Eastland County to El Paso from the early 1920-1960s. I do not have a clue as to where to begin my search. It is my understanding my Granddaddy never sold his mineral rights only his land. Are the mineral rights listed in the County courthouses? Sorry I am a beginner.

I was recently contacted by an Oil company in Reeves County that found me and I was shocked. I guess I thought they went away when he passed away.

Thank you for any help.

2

Delynda:

The mineral rights will be on record at the County Clerk’s office in the County where the minerals are located. In order to narrow your search, I would gather all records pertaining to your dad’s mineral holdings. Landmen, who research records at these County Clerk’s office, will attempt to locate all heirs if possible but you need to make sure that you are listed on record in regards to any mineral holdings. Once you locate these mineral holdings, you might consider hiring someone who specializes in mineral interests transfers as this would save a lot of time.

3

Google ‘Texas File’. Join the site. Follow search instructions by the counties to which you are inquiring. Do so also using your last name, your father’s last name, and your grandfather’s last name, if different than yours.

4

Hi, Del -

Nope, mineral rights never go away. At least not in Texas.

Are you or either of their estates presently receiving any royalty checks? If so, they will help you to discover what properties you have in producing wells.

Beyond that, the least expensive way to discover what you own is to simply wait until a Landman contacts you about what you own.

It might take years, but it’s the right price. They’ll provide you the legal description(s) and copies of your Source Deeds (where your Grandfather either purchased or reserved minerals). Possibly even copies of their Title Notes or Title Runsheets, which set out the history of the land, as well. You can even include a provision in any leases you sign that they provide you with that information.

The issue is, do the Landmen know where to find you.

If either of your Grandfather or Father left a Will and it/they was probated, then you will need to obtain certified copies of the court matter and file them in each County your Grandfather purchased or reserved minerals in.

If neither or either of them did not leave a will, then you will need to prepare an Affidavit of Heirship and file that of record in every County your Grandfather purchased or reserved minerals in.

In either situation, make sure the papers include your name and current contact information - even if only as the person the Clerk’s Offices is asked to return the original(s) back to after filing.

One last item: Reeves County, Texas is really booming right now. It would be wise to have an attorney experienced in oil and gas law look over any lease you are offered before you sign.

OK, one last last item: If you will send me your legal description I will be happy to take a look at the area and tell you what’s going on.

5

This was very helpful - thank you.

Kraut said:

Google ‘Texas File’. Join the site. Follow search instructions by the counties to which you are inquiring. Do so also using your last name, your father’s last name, and your grandfather’s last name, if different than yours.

6

You are welcome.

7

What about a search on the Texas Unclaimed Property website under your ancestor’s names?

May reveal escheated royalty payments and give a start to tracking down producing interests.

8

Thank you all for the information…

9

The mineral rights are not listed in the County courthouses per se, meaning that you can’t just walk up and see who owns the mineral rights on a particular piece of land by looking in a book or by typing in a land description. But the true owners of the minerals can be determined from researching the records in the County Clerk’s Office and the Court clerks in the county where the minerals are located.