This has happened often enough in the past few months that I thought traditional, feet-in-the-door and read-the-whole document professional title searchers would find it interesting.  What I discovered is applicable in at least four states to date and may be spreading.

My reseach is often preliminary, basic "who owns what and where" before performing or suggesting a title bring down or search.  Previously I could rely on online appraiser database cards for the current owner information and last 2 or 3 recorded documents as a not-perfect reference along the chain of title.  We all know, without reviewing the book & page, the Assessor references are not necessary the "deeds" conveying title to the current owner and should never be relied on for that.  What I've heard and found:

Online Assessor record: The company doesn't have enough room for all the owners. "I guess only two fit." The re-valuation company only enters the first owner listed.

Online Assessor record:  The owner field isn't actually the owner.  The re-valuation company just typed in who the tax bill is being mailed to.

Online and paper Assessor records:  Old days a mini chain of title would appear for reference.  New days:  Don't even consider the Assessor / Tax Records as being the current owner or accurate deed reference. Re-valuation company just keys in the last recorded document.  LOL which in once case picked up 1/4th of the real estate - not good for that "$5-10 short cut title bring down" to get the "legal description" for a mortgage. Reading and understanding an ancient metes and bounds legal description without acreage and comparing it to the acreage being taxes would have resulted in a Big Red Flag that something was missing somewhere.

When calling for a quick "can you just tell me the names on this book & page, "We are not bonded and insured, we cannot tell you that information.  You will have to come into the office and read that yourself." Hmm ... what happened with what lawyer to generate this answer?

My point:  Pros use assessor's field (fka street) cards as part of a search and to get title clues, but don't rely on it without examining the index and READING the actual documents. I want title searchers and examiners to know that although times are different now, short cuts by lenders and amateur searchers will lead to future cleanup work for you and attorneys.   Human beings in clerks and assessor offices are our friends.