Section 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.