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''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term ''probate'' refers to a collection of documents, including [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]], [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]] (also called admons), [[I genealogical glossary terms|inventories]], and [[A genealogical glossary terms|act books]]. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858.<br> | ''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term ''probate'' refers to a collection of documents, including [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]], [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]] (also called admons), [[I genealogical glossary terms|inventories]], and [[A genealogical glossary terms|act books]]. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858.<br> | ||
== Step By Step == | == Step By Step == | ||
As the last court of appeals, this court should be searched last after all other courts. In many cases, a reference to a will that went through the Court of Delegates will also have been found in one of the Provincial or Chancery courts. See the Indexes and Jurisdiction sections below. | As the last court of appeals, this court should be searched last after all other courts. In many cases, a reference to a will that went through the Court of Delegates will also have been found in one of the Provincial or Chancery courts. See the Indexes and Jurisdiction sections below. | ||
1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will or administration (admon), writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry.<br>2. Proceed to "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court.<br>3. Contact or visit the Record Office or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon request a list of record searchers.<br>4. Visit The Family History Library or, one of its 4,500 satellite family history centers worldwide and search indexes to probate records; then with the information obtained from the index[es] you can search more quickly the original wills and admons also on microfilm via any centers near you.<br> | |||
== Indexes == | == Indexes == | ||