My relative purchased a farm in the late 1860s. It still owned by a descendant today. The last deed to the property recorded in the local recorder’s office is that deed of purchase in the 1860s. There are no other deeds.
That’s because every transfer after that time has been through a bequest in a will when the current owner died–in 1877, 1939, and 1969. The wills served to transfer title. There’s no missing deeds, it’s just that at the time the will served as the “deed” because it transferred title.
(This tip is partially due to a reader’s comment on an earlier tip. Thanks!).
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I would add this is applicable in your state. My family’s farm in Virginia has been in the family since 1867. But each time it was “handed down” there was a deed change.
It partially stems from how legal documents were drawn up and who inherits. If siblings inherit jointly via a will then usually a quit claim deed is necessary to transfer title to one of them. The same is true is there is no will. If the will transfers title to only one person a deed may be less likely.