N.Y. Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 1941: When special proceeding to quiet title may be maintained

§ 1941. When special proceeding to quiet title may be maintained.

Whenever real property shall have been conveyed by a sheriff or referee,

pursuant to a judicial decree, which decree has been lost or destroyed,

and the defendants (other than lienors or incumbrancers) named in the

notice of pendency of the action in which such decree was made, or those

who might claim under them, or either of them, are dead, unknown or

their whereabouts can not after diligent inquiry be ascertained, the

person who has been, or he and those having his estate who have been,

for ten years in actual possession of such property claiming it in fee

under said sheriff's or referee's deed, which deed shall have been

recorded at least ten years, may maintain a special proceeding for the

purpose of establishing judicially his or their title to such real

property.