Wills and Probate
Learn how to analyze wills for clues, find meanings for unusual words often found in old wills, information on where to look in public records for recorded wills, and places to search out wills which have been put online.
Abstract Thinking: Deeds and Wills
The court system keeps track of legal proceedings involving our otherwise undocumented ancestors. By Linda Herrick Swisher.
The court system keeps track of legal proceedings involving our otherwise undocumented ancestors. By Linda Herrick Swisher.
British Probate Records
Record Information Leaflet 23 of the Public Record Office provides information on where to look for a will or grant of administration in the United Kingdom.
Record Information Leaflet 23 of the Public Record Office provides information on where to look for a will or grant of administration in the United Kingdom.
Pre-1858 Probate in England & Wales
Tips for distance research in the pre-1858 probate records created in over 300 ecclesiastical courts of England and Wales.
Tips for distance research in the pre-1858 probate records created in over 300 ecclesiastical courts of England and Wales.
Irish Ancestors: Wills
Explains wills in Ireland including the information supplied and various types of wills.
Explains wills in Ireland including the information supplied and various types of wills.
Irish Estate Records
A brief article on the origins, location and content of estate records in Ireland, along with tips for locating.
A brief article on the origins, location and content of estate records in Ireland, along with tips for locating.
Library of Virginia - Index to Wills and Administrations
Online index to the will books and order books for 37 Virginia cities and counties for the period up to 1800.
Online index to the will books and order books for 37 Virginia cities and counties for the period up to 1800.
North Carolina Wills
Olds wills can often be lost to fire, flood, or other catastrophe. Here is a listing of availability of wills by county for the state of North Carolina.
Olds wills can often be lost to fire, flood, or other catastrophe. Here is a listing of availability of wills by county for the state of North Carolina.
Probate in Ireland
An excellent guide to probate records in Ireland including tips for researching despite some of the problems with the record source. By Sherry Irvine, CGRS, FSA (Scot).
An excellent guide to probate records in Ireland including tips for researching despite some of the problems with the record source. By Sherry Irvine, CGRS, FSA (Scot).
Probate Packets: The Process & the Contents
A two-part series by George G. Morgan on the merits of probate records. It explains the probate process step by step, including mention of what records are created in the process, and examines how to find the records and what they contain.
A two-part series by George G. Morgan on the merits of probate records. It explains the probate process step by step, including mention of what records are created in the process, and examines how to find the records and what they contain.
Probate Records: An Underutilized Source
Family history researchers often turn to probate records only after they have exhausted everything else they can find, but an earlier look would greatly shorten their search. By Donn Devine, CG, CGI.
Family history researchers often turn to probate records only after they have exhausted everything else they can find, but an earlier look would greatly shorten their search. By Donn Devine, CG, CGI.
Relationships in Probate Records
Probate records often detail the relationship between the testator and the people on whom the estate was settled. By George G. Morgan.
Probate records often detail the relationship between the testator and the people on whom the estate was settled. By George G. Morgan.
Skillbuilding - Analyzing Wills for Useful Clues
From OnBoard, Volume 1 Number 2, the newsletter of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Reproduced here on their Web site.
From OnBoard, Volume 1 Number 2, the newsletter of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Reproduced here on their Web site.
Striking Paydirt with Estate Records
In a boon to genealogists, probate records often meticulously delineate descendancy. From "Along Those Lines," by George G. Morgan.
In a boon to genealogists, probate records often meticulously delineate descendancy. From "Along Those Lines," by George G. Morgan.
Unusual Words Found In Wills
Browse this free glossary to find meanings for many of the unusual words found in wills.
Browse this free glossary to find meanings for many of the unusual words found in wills.
USGenWeb Archives
A "virtual" United States courthouse where you search for transcriptions of will and probate records that have been placed online.
A "virtual" United States courthouse where you search for transcriptions of will and probate records that have been placed online.
Where Did the Money Go?
Wills are an excellent genealogical source. That's the upside. There is a downside. Old wills can be vague, unspecific, and downright confusing. However, other probate records may clarify what is not clear in the will.
Wills are an excellent genealogical source. That's the upside. There is a downside. Old wills can be vague, unspecific, and downright confusing. However, other probate records may clarify what is not clear in the will.
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
George G. Morgan discusses wills, codicils, probate packets and court records and the interesting insights they can reveal in his genealogical column, "Along Those Lines..."
George G. Morgan discusses wills, codicils, probate packets and court records and the interesting insights they can reveal in his genealogical column, "Along Those Lines..."
Wills and Testaments
Donna Prezcha covers wills and probate records: what they are, what they look like, how to find them, and what you can learn from them.
Donna Prezcha covers wills and probate records: what they are, what they look like, how to find them, and what you can learn from them.