Detailed answer: first steps to establish who owns the land

If you want to confirm who legally owns a portion of your grandfather’s land in Rhode Island, start with clear, objective records. The single best first step is to locate the property on the local land records (town/city assessor and the county Registry of Deeds) and pull the recorded deed history. That initial search will show the current recorded owner, how title moved over time, and whether the property was transferred at your grandfather’s death or earlier.

Follow these practical steps in order:

1. Identify the property precisely.

   Get an address, street name, and—if possible—the assessor’s parcel (lot) number or a metes-and-bounds description. If you don’t have an address, ask neighbors, check old tax bills, or look for maps in the town clerk’s or assessor’s office.

2. Search the town/city assessor and tax records.

   Most Rhode Island towns maintain an online assessor or GIS map showing parcel boundaries and the name of the person or entity on the most recent tax roll. The assessor’s record will usually list the owner of record for tax purposes and the parcel ID you need for deed searches.

3. Search the county Registry of Deeds for recorded deeds and instruments.

   Rhode Island uses county registries (Providence, Kent, Newport, Washington, and Bristol). Search by owner name, parcel ID, or book/page if you have them. Pull the deed that shows how the grandfather acquired the property and all subsequent deeds. The recorded chain of title reveals transfers, mortgages, easements, and other recorded interests.

4. Check probate records if your grandfather died owning or part-owning the land.

   If the property was in your grandfather’s name when he died, the probate file (will, letters testamentary, or intestacy paperwork) will show how the property passed to heirs or beneficiaries. Rhode Island probate information is available through the Rhode Island Judiciary: https://www.courts.ri.gov/.

5. Review the chain of title for gaps or unrecorded transfers.

   Pay attention to whether deeds were properly recorded and whether any conveyances occurred before or after your grandfather’s death. Rhode Island’s recording laws make recorded instruments constructive notice to later purchasers; see Rhode Island recording rules in the statutes (Chapter 34-11 on recording instruments): http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-11/INDEX.HTM.

6. When in doubt, get a professional title search or consult a lawyer.

   If the records are unclear, show gaps, or suggest competing claims (multiple heirs, ambiguous descriptions, unrecorded agreements), hire a Rhode Island real estate attorney or a title company to perform a full title search and advise whether an action to quiet title or probate clarification is needed.

Why start with these records? Recorded deeds and probate documents create the primary public trail of ownership. They are the most direct, reliable sources to show how title passed and who currently holds legal ownership.

Helpful official references:

• Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 34-11 (Recording Instruments): http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-11/INDEX.HTM
• Rhode Island Judiciary (probate and court records information): https://www.courts.ri.gov/

Note: If you cannot determine the county or town, start with the place where your grandfather lived or where the land is commonly described (town name on old tax bills, will, or correspondence). Town clerks and assessors can often help identify parcels even with minimal information.

Helpful hints

• Gather documents before you go: death certificate, any will, old deeds, tax bills, and mortgage statements can speed the search.
• Use the assessor parcel ID (APN) or lot/plat reference to avoid confusion between parcels with similar addresses.
• If you find multiple deeds after your grandfather’s death, note dates and whether transfers occurred before or after probate opened.
• Recorded deeds typically include a full legal description. Compare descriptions carefully—small differences can show different parcels.
• Look for easements, liens, mortgages, and covenants recorded against the parcel; these affect ownership rights and use.
• Consider hiring a local title company for a certified title report if you need a high level of assurance for sale, financing, or litigation.
• If ownership is contested among heirs, or there are missing deeds, a Rhode Island real estate attorney can advise on quiet-title actions, partition suits, or probate remedies.
• Be aware of potential adverse possession issues—these can be complex and fact-dependent, and an attorney can advise on applicable Rhode Island rules.