It shall be prima facie evidence as to who are owners of and persons interested in any property proposed to be taken in the proceedings instituted under this act if the register or deputy register of deeds of the county shall testify in open court that he has examined the records and titles in his office, and states who such records show are the owners of and persons interested in such property, and the nature and extent of such ownership and interest; and an abstract of the title of such property, or of any parcel or parcels thereof, certified by the register or deputy register of deeds, shall also be prima facie evidence as to ownership, and persons having an interest in any such property, and the extent and nature of such interest.