Ohio Probate Records: Difference between revisions

NOTE: Each county generally transcribed, from the original documents, the most important items from the Probate Estate or Civil Case Packet, e.g. interim and final reports, summary of inventory, appointment of administrators, wills. These transcriptions do not generally include original signatures, nor do they generally reproduce every document related to the case packet. Signatures can be very important, particularly if someone is researching multiple individuals who bear the same name.  

In some counties the original case packets also still exist, frequently held by another repository, e.g. local historical society rather than at the county courthouse. It is recommended that researchers seek out both the transcribed documents and also the original case packets to glean the most information possible. The original case packets, where they exist, contain the original wills, inventories, letters of administration, receipts, and other documents needed to settle that particular probate estate or probate civil case. These originals have the actual signatures intact. In some instances only the transcribed documents still exist. In others, only the original packets.   What is available differs from county to county.  

Bell, Carol Willsey. ''Ohio Wills and Estates to 1850: An Index''. Columbus, Ohio: C.W. Bell, 1981. {{FHL|345167|item}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/title/ohio-wills-and-estates-to-1850-an-index/oclc/7953251&referer=brief_results%7C WorldCat entry]. Also available on [http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/indexinfo.aspx?ix=gpc0941610004_ohiowillsandestatesto1850z%7C WorldVitalRecords.com]. Available only to members of WorldVitalRecords.