Monongalia County Assessor’s Office
Parcel Database Systems

Basic Instructions

 
The “In-House” and “Online” Database interfaces were designed very similar in appearance and functionality.
This way our local users would not have to learn 2 systems performing the same tasks,
allowing them to easily use either.

Read all instructions regardless of where you are using the database.
Most of the functions and displays are similar in design and use and apply to both.
Last page of instructions is for
“Assessor’s Online Database” and will provide specific info
how “Online” Database interface functions may differ from the “In-House” Database.

Advanced “In-House” programming allows us to design special key applications and other functions that cannot apply to “Online” use.
Handout also includes periodic updates that may be helpful to our users as to where we are in processing of transfers.


“Parcel Database System” In-House   Basic Instructions
“Search Screen” (Courthouse Computers
)                          “Internet Instructions” on Last Page

 

·         [Check box] located at the top will only return current owner info if checked, uncheck for parcels history.

 

·         Use District drop down to select District or type District Name in field. Use tab key or mouse to go to the next desired field.

·         Enter Map Numbers normally ( 1  8  15  23a, etc. ).  Enter Parcel Numbers in normal manor. ( 1.1  2  15  22.5 etc. )

·         Parcel Range option of Database, Only allows you to enter whole numbers in search fields. ( 1  14  25  etc. )
This will return all parcel information between desired numbers entered, including sub-parcel numbers.

·         To search by Owners Last or First name. Do not enter entire name of owner. Spelling may not be same as used in deed.
Example: To search for the “Current” parcel owner, John O. Ferguson Jr.
In the Last name field you could put Ferguson but only using part of name is recommended, such as Ferg.

·         Then John or only use the J , again recommended or No first name at all, if it is not known.
If District is known and selected, it will reduce the search time.
Here is an Example:  District: Morgan      Last Name:  fer          First:  J   (Search is not case sensitive)

·         Date From field represents the Recordation Date of the property owner’s deed.
To search between Dates: Enter beginning Date: mm/dd/yyyy in the “Min” Field and ending Date in the “Max” field.

·         After desired information is entered into Search Screen press F2 , the Enter key or use Mouse to select the “Results” Tab
at the top left of the database page. (F1, F2 etc. are Special Key Functions that only apply to computers in Courthouse…)
Search requests to Database Sever and Data Displays may take 7 to 20 seconds, depending on information entered.

·         You can make your search as Broad or as Narrow as you like, using almost any combination of fields, drop down boxes or check boxes. However:  You must enter enough information so the total number of results does not exceed 1,300 In-House and 1,300 Online. (Example: You could not select just Clinton District or Morgantown, each has several thousand records.)

 
Splits / Parcels created Mid - Late ‘99 or after will have NO “Scanned Card”. They are no longer made.

 

 

“Result Screen”   (Courthouse Computers)

 

·         The Result screen will return information in a line format based on your specified search criteria.
The results will be in District, Map and Parcel order and give basic parcel information.

·         You can scroll through the results using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard.

·         The highlighted line is the active record and the owner’s name is visible in the lower window of this screen.

·         To access more detailed information, double click on the highlighted line or press the Enter key on the keyboard.

·         This opens the map card in full detail, what we call the Parcel Detail Page.

·         To return to the Search Screen click the Search tab with the mouse or press the F1 key on the keyboard.

 

 

“Map Card” View   (Courthouse Computers)

 

·         This screen provides the same information as the old map card.

·         Prior owner information NOT part of Database is available through a “Map Card” Image Button, bottom left of the screen.
Clicking this Icon Button will load and display the Scanned Map Card Image in the Internet web browser.
The Database will allow users to access the prior parcel ownership or “History” of prior transfers processed by the database.
 Clearing or un-checking the check box located at the top left corner of the Search Screen will allow you to access the parcels prior owner information, if it has been transferred in the database, when you perform your search.

·         Tax maps may be viewed by selecting the multi colored map button, located to the right of the scanned map card button.

When pushed it will load and display tax map for parcel in Paint Shop Pro.

Use the magnifying glass and left mouse button to zoom in, right button to zoom out.

·         “2008 Transfers” 07/01/2006 – 06/30/2007 Straights are being Processed, Splits are being Assigned Parcel Numbers.

·         “2007 Mapping” New Maps / Subdivisions / Phases or Updates to existing maps in AutoCad, will be mapped as time
                             permits. Work Copies based on Plats of Record, are accessible from “New Subdivision Maps” Page.

·         “2005 & 2006 Mapping” New Subdivisions or Updates to Existing ones in AutoCad are Mapped and Posted to our
                                          Website. Parcels “Not” mapped in AutoCad but on “Paper Tax Maps” will be mapped ASAP

 

Tax Maps may not be current in certain areas as a result of “Continued Growth and Development” in Monongalia County.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. Tax Maps for the above listed years are posted as they are completed.

 

 

“Map Card” View (Continued)

 

·         Parcel / Transfer Note Buttons: If Button Letters are Black no info is available, If Letters are Red, contains information.

·         You can toggle between the 3 different programs we use, “Court”, the web browser and Paint Shop Pro by using your mouse to select the appropriate button on the Windows Task Bar located at the very bottom of your screen or by holding the Alt Key and pressing and releasing the Tab Key.

·         In the map card screen you can use the arrow buttons located at the top of the map card screen
to go to the next card or back to the previous one.
One exception is, if your search was for only one specific parcel, nothing is before or after it on the result page.

·         To exit from the map card screen, back to the result page click Exit with your mouse or use  Alt x on the keyboard.

·         To return to the Search page or the Criteria page use F1 or select the Search Tab.

·         Always “Clear” Search page before each New Search to ensure proper data results.

 

If you are unable to find specific Transfers for the “2008” Tax Year in our Database,

You will need to visit the County Clerks Office to access those documents, until they have been processed.

If you are looking for “Transfers” after 07/01/2007 these are for the 2009 Tax Year, which are not
being processed at this time, you will need to visit the County Clerks Office to access these documents.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete the
final phases of our project, that will allow our office to better serve the public.

 

Internet Notice for “Tax Map” Use
Tax Maps are “Not” Interactive or intended for “Online viewing”, but for “Downloading” to your PC.
Newer Web Browsers and faster Internet connections may allow them to open online, but not what we intended.

If you choose to open the maps while Online & as a result no longer get the “Download Prompt”,
But later want to “Download” the maps, Right Click on the “Map Number” and select “Save Target As”.
This will prompt you for the location to Save the map file to your computers Hard Drive.

 

 

Assessor’s Online “Parcel Database System”   Basic Instructions

 

·          Most search screen basic instructions outlined on first page also apply to website. ( Special “F” Keys / Buttons Do Not)

 

·         Online Database is done in html, appearance will not be same as Courthouse Version that uses more advanced programming.

·         The Result Page provides basic parcel information.

·         The Map Number on the “result page” is an active link. Clicking it begins the download process. (Maps are LZW tif files.)

·         The Parcel Number found on the result page is an active link. Clicking on it opens the online map card.

·         Parcel Range option of Database, Only allows you to enter whole numbers in search fields. ( 1  14  25  etc. )

·         The online map card is on the Parcel Detail Page. The Map Number is an active link here as well.
Parcel Detail Page provides similar info as Old map cards, plus Links to Scanned Map Card, Note Screens, & Tax Records.
To access the Scanned Image of the old map card, Click the link located in the top right corner of the parcel detail page.
The Scanned Card provides an instant check of the Data Entry, for parcels “NOT” transferred in database or access to Prior Owners Information for those parcels that “have” been transferred in the database.

·         If Scanned Card, Parcel, or Transfer Note Links are underlined, Link is active info available. Not Underlined, No info (N/A).
If an error is found please email us the District, Map, Parcel number and the error.     office@assessor.org

·         The Result Page provides a return for each owner.

·         Example: If (5) people are listed as owners of a parcel, there will be (5) separate returns for that parcel in the Result Page.
They will “All” point to the Same Record Source, meaning the Parcel Detail Page & it does not matter which one is selected.
 When any “one” of the parcel numbers are selected (clicked on), all owners will be in the display of the Parcel Detail Page.

·         You can print the Result and Parcel Detail Pages in color or use the Simple Print Link at the bottom of each page to drop the color and print in black and white. This will speed up your printing and not waste your color ink.

·         If you need help please read the Online Help Pages provided.
There are online definitions, tips & trouble shooting pages.
Index Maps can Only be found in the Tax Maps Section of the Website. Please take time and explore the entire Website.

“Maps and Database” are available online at www.assessor.org