Copies of the books and entries of the sale or conveyance of any lands or lots that have been sold or conveyed by the trustees of the Illinois and Michigan canal, by the canal commissioners, by the Department of Public Works and Buildings, by the Department of Transportation, or by the Department of Natural Resources (formerly designated the Department of Conservation) under any law of this State, certified to be true and correct copies of such books or entries by the Director of Natural Resources under the official seal of the Department, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in such books or entries, and of the title in the party to whom such lands or lots appear by such certified copies to have been sold or conveyed, his heirs or assigns.