This inquiry stems from an unsolicited offer made to my father, who was identified as a potential heir to mineral rights originally owned by his late wife’s grandfather. Because my father is elderly and the individual in question would be my great-grandfather, I am assisting him with this matter. Everything appears legitimate so far, but I want to conduct my own research to better understand the situation.
We have not received a formal offer, but the company informed us that the mineral rights are located in Township 3 South, Range 64 West, Section 27. Is there a resource available that would allow me to determine whether the mineral rights are still titled in my great-grandfather’s name?
It looks like the Adams County Clerk has online access for records search. You can try performing a name search. Caveat: this will only potentially show documents where he was either a grantor or grantee. This is not an indicator as to correct mineral ownership. Give it a try and then come back for more information.
There is active leasing in that section and multi-unit horizontal permits to the south with a rig on location. Be wary of a sale versus a lease.
Thank you both for your input. I have found Deeds that show my great grandfather once owned the entire section North of the railroad right away that cuts across the southern part of the section. I have been assuming that he had excluded the mineral rights when selling the land; however, I do not find specific language in any deed that references Mineral Rights.
What am I missing?
Thank you.
Have you asked the people that made the offer for a deed reference where your great grandfather obtained the mineral interest?
The exclusion would be found at the end of the legal desription and say “further excepting and reserving to the party of the first part and his heirs and assigns, an undivided ( ) interest in and to all oil or gas underlying said land.” Or something to that effect.