By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Hamilton County Recorder's Office, one of the last bastions of handwritten records, is moving into the computer age.

But not all the way.

A $1.25 million system debuted five weeks ago, putting access to deeds, mortgages, liens and veterans' records online for the first time.

"We are state of the art," Recorder Rebecca Prem Groppe said.

The recorder's office joins other Hamilton County agencies that have put information online in recent years. The auditor's Web site offers a property search with sale information and photos. The clerk of courts site can be searched for civil and criminal cases. Both can be found through www.hamilton-co.org.

And now, deed and mortgage information can be found at recordersoffice.hamilton-co.org.

However, unlike the recorder's offices in Clermont and Butler counties, Groppe has elected not to make images of the actual documents available online because of privacy concerns. Former Hamilton County Clerk of Courts James Cissell drew criticism for putting court documents online; successor Gregory Hartmann has continued the practice.

Because deeds and other documents the recorder keeps are public records, they can still be viewed on 24 thin-screen computers or microfilm in Groppe's downtown office, 138 E. Court St.

The new system is designed to more efficiently index and store the 6,500 to 7,000 documents that come into the office daily. The volume has nearly tripled since 1997, Chief Deputy Recorder Steven Burns said, partly because low-interest rates have prompted so many people to buy and refinance homes.

The effort to modernize the recorder's office has also resulted in the first new system of tracking land parcels since 1939, he said. Land descriptions used to be recorded in 151/2-inch by 18-inch books.

Some title examiners and attorneys have expressed fears there could be glitches in tracking properties.

Officials at the recorder's office say progress is being made.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com