1. Whenever the record of any deed or other instrument affecting the title to or concerning any interest in real property or water rights in this state, which is authorized or required by law to be recorded, or any will, or the probate thereof, is lost or destroyed by fire or otherwise, and the original of the deed or will or the probate thereof, or other instrument, or a certified copy thereof, cannot be found, any person claiming title to such real property or water right or any interest under the will may institute a proceeding in the district court of the county in which the property so affected is situated, to establish the fact of the existence, contents and record of the deed, will and probate thereof, or other instrument, prior to such loss or destruction, and the decree in the case shall be entered in the proper office of such county.
2. Any person having or claiming an interest in the real property or water right or being in possession and enjoyment thereof, as well as the parties to the lost deed or other instrument, and their privies, and all persons interested under the will, shall be made parties defendant in such proceeding.
[1911 CPA § 691; RL § 5633; NCL § 9180]