N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-22.1: Index and cross-index of immediate prior owners of land.

Whenever, any deed or other instrument conveying real property by a trustee, mortgagee, commissioner, or other officer appointed by the court, or by the sheriff under execution, is filed with the register of deeds for the purpose of being recorded, it shall be the duty of the register of deeds to index and cross-index as grantors the names of all persons recited in said instrument to be the persons whose interest in such real estate is being conveyed or from whom the title of such real estate was acquired by the grantor in such instrument. (1947, c. 211, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 80, s. 5.)