Oklahoma Probate Records: Difference between revisions

Corrected the wording to indicate that wills may be found in a probate file, but they are not created during the probate process. If you die without a will, one cannot be written for you!
m (Text replacement - "at [https://familysearch.org FamilySearch]" to "at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch]")
(Corrected the wording to indicate that wills may be found in a probate file, but they are not created during the probate process. If you die without a will, one cannot be written for you!)
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=== Online Resources ===
===Online Resources===


*'''1801 – 2008''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9077 Oklahoma Wills and Probate Records 1801-2008] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index and images '''$'''  
*'''1801 – 2008''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9077 Oklahoma Wills and Probate Records 1801-2008] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index and images '''$'''
*'''1887 – 2008''' {{RecordSearch|2063710|Oklahoma Probate Records, 1887-2008}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — images<br>
*'''1887 – 2008''' {{RecordSearch|2063710|Oklahoma Probate Records, 1887-2008}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — images<br>


=== Records Synopsis ===
===Records Synopsis===


Probate is the “court procedure by which a will is proved to be valid or invalid” and encompasses “all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, guardianships, etc.”<ref>Henry Campbell Black, ''Black's Law Dictionary,'' 5th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1979), 1081, "probate."</ref> Various types of records are created throughout the probate process. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. These documents are extremely valuable to genealogists and should not be neglected. In many instances, they are the only known source of relevant information such as the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their places of residence. They may also include information about adoption or guardianship of minor children and dependents.  
Probate is the “court procedure by which a will is proved to be valid or invalid” and encompasses “all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, guardianships, etc.”<ref>Henry Campbell Black, ''Black's Law Dictionary,'' 5th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1979), 1081, "probate."</ref> Various records may be found in a probate file. These may include wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. These documents are extremely valuable to genealogists and should not be neglected. In many instances, they are the only known source of relevant information such as the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their places of residence. They may also include information about adoption or guardianship of minor children and dependents.  


Explore more about the [[United States Probate Process|probate process]], [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations of probate records]],&nbsp;[[Analyzing United States Probate Records|analyzing probate records]], a [[Glossary of United States Probate Terms|glossary]] of probate terms, [[United States Probate Wills|wills]], and [[United States Probate Records]].<br>  
Explore more about the [[United States Probate Process|probate process]], [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations of probate records]],&nbsp;[[Analyzing United States Probate Records|analyzing probate records]], a [[Glossary of United States Probate Terms|glossary]] of probate terms, [[United States Probate Wills|wills]], and [[United States Probate Records]].<br>  


=== History ===
===History===


Prior to statehood (1907), Oklahoma probate records were kept by the U.S. district courts. The probate records are now under the jurisdiction of probate or county courts. The files include wills, dockets, administrator's records, guardianship records, inventories, appraisements, sales records, minutes, and journals.  
Prior to statehood (1907), Oklahoma probate records were kept by the U.S. district courts. The probate records are now under the jurisdiction of probate or county courts. The files include wills, dockets, administrator's records, guardianship records, inventories, appraisements, sales records, minutes, and journals.  


=== Searching Probate Records ===
===Searching Probate Records===


It is usually best to start a probate search at the county level. Links to county pages appear below. Additional resources for Oklahoma probates may be found in the Oklahoma-Probate topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog . Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at [http://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Centers]. Also find Oklahoma Probate resources available at [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3AOklahoma+probate+records&qt=results_page many libraries (WorldCat)]. Explore how to search [[Worldcat Online Catalog|WorldCat]] and the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]].<br>  
It is usually best to start a probate search at the county level. Links to county pages appear below. Additional resources for Oklahoma probates may be found in the Oklahoma-Probate topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog . Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at [http://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Centers]. Also find Oklahoma Probate resources available at [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3AOklahoma+probate+records&qt=results_page many libraries (WorldCat)]. Explore how to search [[Worldcat Online Catalog|WorldCat]] and the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]].<br>  


=== Availability ===
===Availability===


You may obtain copies of the records by contacting the clerk's office in each county. Many Indian probate records are at the [http://www.archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/ National Archives—Central Plains Region]. The Family History Library has copies of probate records from some counties.  
You may obtain copies of the records by contacting the clerk's office in each county. Many Indian probate records are at the [http://www.archives.gov/central-plains/kansas-city/ National Archives—Central Plains Region]. The Family History Library has copies of probate records from some counties.  
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*Opha Jewell Wever and Rosalie Wagner, ''Probate Records, 1892-1908, Northern District Cherokee Nation''. 2 vols. Vinita, Oklahoma: Northeast Oklahoma Genealogical Society, 1982-1983.
*Opha Jewell Wever and Rosalie Wagner, ''Probate Records, 1892-1908, Northern District Cherokee Nation''. 2 vols. Vinita, Oklahoma: Northeast Oklahoma Genealogical Society, 1982-1983.


==== Websites ====
====Websites====


*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~okgs/records.htm http://sites.rootsweb.com/~okgs/records.htm]
*http://sites.rootsweb.com/~okgs/records.htm


=== State Statutes ===
===State Statutes===


Understanding the Oklahoma probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems.  
Understanding the Oklahoma probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems.  
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Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "Oklahoma statutes."  
Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "Oklahoma statutes."  


=== References ===
===References===


''Oklahoma Research Outline''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.  
''Oklahoma Research Outline''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.  
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{{Oklahoma|Oklahoma}}  
{{Oklahoma|Oklahoma}}  


[[Category:Oklahoma, United States]]Probate]] [[Category:United_States_Probate_Records]]
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