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Missouri Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Missouri Probate Records, 1750-1998 andMissouri, Andrew and Cole County Probate Records, 1826-1945
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CID2060218
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Missouri,
United States
Missouri flag.png
Flag of Missouri
US Locator Missouri.png
Location of Missouri
Record Description
Record Type Probate
Collection years 1750-1998
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites


What is in This Collection?

The collection "Missouri, Probate Records, 1750-1998" includes probate records created by county courts including wills and records of estates. Most of the records in this collection fall between 1840 and 1930, but the content and years of the court records varies by county. In a few instances, if the court heard other cases in addition to probate, such as civil disputes or even some criminal matters, the records are mixed in with the probate records. The collection "Missouri, Andrew and Cole County Probate Records, 1826-1945" consists of images of probate estate files from Cole, Clinton and Andrew County which were scanned at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City, Missouri.

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Missouri Probate Records, 1750-1998.

or

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Missouri, Andrew and Cole County Probate Records, 1826-1945.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:
Probate files may include wills, petitions, inventories, accounts, decrees, and other court documents.

  • Name of testator or deceased
  • Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
  • Name of executor, administrator, or guardian
  • Names of witnesses
  • Residence of testator
  • Document and recording dates (Used to approximate event dates i.e., a will was usually written near time of death.)

Collection Content

Sample Images

  • Missouri, County Probate Record Examples
  • Will

    Will

  • 1882 Inventory

    1882 Inventory

  • 1855 Court Minutes

    1855 Court Minutes

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your ancestor
  • The place where the person died

Search the Index

Missouri Probate Records, 1750-1998

This collection does not have a searchable index. Only images are available. See View the Images to access them.

Missouri, Andrew and Cole County Probate Records, 1826-1945

This collection does not have a searchable index. Only images are available. See View the Images to access them.

View the Images

Missouri Probate Records, 1750-1998

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Volume, Title and Year to view the images

Missouri, Andrew and Cole County Probate Records, 1826-1945

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Volume, Title and Year to view the images
Tip
 More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Missouri Probate Records, 1750-1998. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use a probate record to identify adoptions, guardians, heirs and relatives
  • Use a will to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
  • Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records for earlier years
  • Use the information to locate census, christenings, marriage and land records
  • Use the occupations to find employment or military records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

  • Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
  • Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
  • If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
  • Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
  • Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Missouri.

Other FamilySearch Collections

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

FamilySearch Historical Records

FamilySearch Digital Library

Known Issues

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.
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