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''[[United States|United States&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia|Virginia&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]''  
''[[United States|United States&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia|Virginia&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Virginia Probate Records|Probate Records]]''  


== Record Synopsis  ==
== Record Synopsis  ==
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Probate records have been kept by&nbsp;at the county level in [[Virginia]] by the general court and by the county and circuit courts. For the colonial period, dozens of Virginia wills were proved in the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of Canterbury]] in London, England. In independent cities, probates are now kept by the clerks' offices of the circuit courts.  
Probate records have been kept by&nbsp;at the county level in [[Virginia]] by the general court and by the county and circuit courts. For the colonial period, dozens of Virginia wills were proved in the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of Canterbury]] in London, England. In independent cities, probates are now kept by the clerks' offices of the circuit courts.  


The following events affected political/jurisdictional boundaries and&nbsp;record keeping.
The following events affected political/jurisdictional boundaries and&nbsp;record keeping.  


*1607&nbsp;-&nbsp;Founding of Jamestown, the&nbsp;first permanent English settlement in America.  
*1607&nbsp;-&nbsp;Founding of Jamestown, the&nbsp;first permanent English settlement in America.  
*1624 - Virginia established&nbsp;as a crown colony with an elected General Assembly.  
*1624 - Virginia established&nbsp;as a crown colony with an elected General Assembly.  
*1710-1740s&nbsp; Passes leading to Shenandoah Valley were discovered. Emigrants from Pennsylvania and New Jersey began to enter the valley.  
*1710-1740s&nbsp; Passes leading to Shenandoah Valley were discovered. Emigrants from Pennsylvania and New Jersey began to enter the valley.  
*1750-1784 -&nbsp;Land grants made to the Ohio Company encouraged exploration beyond the Alleghenies. Much of this was later ceded to Pennsylvania.1770s The Wilderness Road opened Virginia into Kentucky. That area&nbsp;later became Kentucky.
*1750-1784 -&nbsp;Land grants made to the Ohio Company encouraged exploration beyond the Alleghenies. Much of this was later ceded to Pennsylvania.1770s The Wilderness Road opened Virginia into Kentucky. That area&nbsp;later became Kentucky.  
*1784 -&nbsp;Virginia ceded its claims north of the Ohio River to the United States.&nbsp;
*1784 -&nbsp;Virginia ceded its claims north of the Ohio River to the United States.&nbsp;  
*1788 -&nbsp;Virginia became a state.  
*1788 -&nbsp;Virginia became a state.  
*1792 Kentucky became a separate state.  
*1792 Kentucky became a separate state.  
*1861-1870 Most of Virginia joined the Confederacy, although fifty western counties broke off and were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia in 1863. Virginia was readmitted to the Union in 1870. <br>
*1861-1870 Most of Virginia joined the Confederacy, although fifty western counties broke off and were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia in 1863. Virginia was readmitted to the Union in 1870. <br>
In probate case files you may find wills, inventories, appraisals, accounts, and bonds. Probate records may also be included in deed books and court order books.
 
In probate case files you may find wills, inventories, appraisals, accounts, and bonds. Probate records may also be included in deed books and court order books.  


Although a number of Virginia records have been destroyed, research in Virginia counties can still be successful.  
Although a number of Virginia records have been destroyed, research in Virginia counties can still be successful.  


*A brief history of the settlement and boundary changes of&nbsp;Virginia and the resultant effects on record keeping can be found on [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_Virginia Ancestry]. ($)
*A brief history of the settlement and boundary changes of&nbsp;Virginia and the resultant effects on record keeping can be found on [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_Virginia Ancestry]. ($)  
*A discussion of Virginia Probate Records written by Johni Cerny and Gareth L. Mark for ''Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources ''can be found at [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=Virginia_Probate_Records Ancestry].($)
*A discussion of Virginia Probate Records written by Johni Cerny and Gareth L. Mark for ''Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources ''can be found at [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=Virginia_Probate_Records Ancestry].($)
==== Proved in Virginia&nbsp;  ====
Excellent&nbsp;printed&nbsp;indexes to Virginia's wills and administrations are available for the period for the early 1600s to 1865:
*Torrence, Clayton. ''Virginia Wills and Administrations, 1632-1800''. 1930; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1985. {{FHL|540441|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P22t}}; {{FHL|371231|item|disp=FHL Film 29274}}. A revised and updated edition is available for free online at the Library of Virginia's [http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas08&local_base=CLAS08 website].
*Pippenger, Wesley E. ''Index to Virginia Estates, 1800-1865''. 10 vols. Richmond, Va.: Virginia Genealogical Society, 2001-2008.&nbsp;{{FHL|1035393|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P22p v. 1}}.
Pippenger's book references&nbsp;all types of probate records, including inventories, accounts, etc.
==== Proved in London  ====
Virginia wills and administrations proved in London have been abstracted and published multiple times. Each edition is listed here, as some are available online, while others are not. In addition, publishers included more detailed abstracts in some editions than&nbsp;others. The 2007 edition includes a place-name index that enables users to pluck out Virginia references:
*Coldham,&nbsp;Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1699''. Baltimore:&nbsp;Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980. Digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48506 Ancestry] ($).
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1700-1799''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980. Digital version of 1991 reprint available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48554 Ancestry] ($).
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1800-1858''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1981. Digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48507 Ancestry] ($).
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''American Wills &amp; Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1857''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1989. {{FHL|60113|item|disp=FHL Book 942 P27c}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48453 Ancestry] ($).
*Coldham,&nbsp;Peter Wilson. ''American Wills Proved in London, 1611-1775''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992. {{FHL|619298|item|disp=FHL Book 973 P27ca}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48497 Ancestry] ($).
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''North American Wills Registered in London, 1611-1857''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007. {{FHL|1384506|item|disp=FHL Book 942 P27c 2007}}.
If you find a will abstact that interests you in Coldham's books, it is now possible to view digital images of the original Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills online at two United Kingdom pay-per-view websites:
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (1384-1858)], courtesy: The National Archives,&nbsp;UK.<br><br>
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/user/subscriptions.php#record_sets PCC&nbsp;Wills Index and Images (1384-1858)], courtesy: The Genealogist. (in progress)
==== Proved in Edinburgh  ====
The wills of some Virginia residents were proved in Edinburgh, Scotland, see:
*Dobson, David. ''Scottish-American Wills, 1650-1900''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1991. {{FHL|588724|item|disp=FHL Book 973 P22d}}. Over 2,000 citations including name, occupation, residence, and date.
Most of these references were taken from the Commissariat Court of Edinburgh (now the Sheriff Court of Edinburgh) and the ''Index to Personal Estates of Defuncts, 1846-1866.'' If you find a will abstact that interests you in Dobson's book, it is now possible to view digital images of the original records online at a United Kingdom pay-per-view website:
*[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Wills &amp; Testaments (1513-1901)], courtesy: Scotlands People


== State Statutes  ==
== State Statutes  ==
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Understanding the&nbsp;Virginia 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&nbsp;Virginia 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.  


Additional information about&nbsp;Virginia state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "Virginia statutes."
Additional information about&nbsp;Virginia state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "Virginia statutes."  


== Repositories  ==
== Repositories  ==
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==== Regional  ====
==== Regional  ====


The [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ Library of Virginia]&nbsp;and the Family History Library have&nbsp;microfilm copies of many probate records for most of the counties in Virginia. These include wills up to the 1860s and 1870s and indexes up to the 1940s and 1950s. For example, from Fairfax County the library has administration bonds (1752-82), will books (1742-1866), and a will index (1742-1951).
The [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ Library of Virginia]&nbsp;and the Family History Library have&nbsp;microfilm copies of many probate records for most of the counties in Virginia. These include wills up to the 1860s and 1870s and indexes up to the 1940s and 1950s. For example, from Fairfax County the library has administration bonds (1752-82), will books (1742-1866), and a will index (1742-1951).  


==== National  ====
==== National  ====
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*''[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7832 Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850]'' database, Ancestry. (http://ancestry.com) includes wills from the counties of Augusta, Isle of Wight, and Norfolk.&nbsp;
*''[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7832 Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850]'' database, Ancestry. (http://ancestry.com) includes wills from the counties of Augusta, Isle of Wight, and Norfolk.&nbsp;


*[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/opac/willsabout.htm Index to Wills and Administrations to 1800], courtesy: [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ Library of Virginia].
*[http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas08&local_base=CLAS08 Index to Wills and Administrations to 1800], courtesy: [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ Library of Virginia]. [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/opac/willsabout.htm Description.]


*[http://www.gunstonhall.org/library/probate/index.htm Probate Inventory Database: Virginia and Maryland Probate Inventories 300+ Transcriptions Recorded 1740 - 1810], courtesy: [http://www.gunstonhall.org/ Gunston H<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1282923693437_398" />all Plantation].
*[http://www.gunstonhall.org/library/probate/index.htm Probate Inventory Database: Virginia and Maryland Probate Inventories 300+ Transcriptions Recorded 1740 - 1810], courtesy: [http://www.gunstonhall.org/ Gunston Hall Plantation].


*[http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/ Chancery Records Index] (search online database with digital images)
*[http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/ Chancery Records Index] (search online database with digital images)
==== Proved in Virginia&nbsp;  ====
Excellent&nbsp;printed&nbsp;indexes to Virginia's wills and administrations are available for the period for the early 1600s to 1865:
*Torrence, Clayton. ''Virginia Wills and Administrations, 1632-1800''. 1930; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1985. {{FHL|540441|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P22t}}; {{FHL|371231|item|disp=FHL Film 29274}}. A revised and updated edition is available for free online at the Library of Virginia's [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/opac/willsabout.htm website].<br><br>
*Pippenger, Wesley E. ''Index to Virginia Estates, 1800-1865''. 10 vols. Richmond, Va.: Virginia Genealogical Society, 2001-2008.&nbsp;{{FHL|1035393|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P22p v. 1}}.
Pippenger's book references&nbsp;all types of probate records, including inventories, accounts, etc.
==== Proved in London  ====
Virginia wills and administrations proved in London have been abstracted and published multiple times. Each edition is listed here, as some are available online, while others are not. In addition, publishers included more detailed abstracts in some editions than&nbsp;others. The 2007 edition includes a place-name index that enables users to pluck out Virginia references:
*Coldham,&nbsp;Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1699''. Baltimore:&nbsp;Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980. Digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48506 Ancestry] ($).<br><br>
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1700-1799''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980. Digital version of 1991 reprint available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48554 Ancestry] ($).<br><br>
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''English Estates of American Colonists: American Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1800-1858''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1981. Digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48507 Ancestry] ($).<br><br>
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''American Wills &amp; Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1857''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1989. {{FHL|60113|item|disp=FHL Book 942 P27c}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48453 Ancestry] ($).<br><br>
*Coldham,&nbsp;Peter Wilson. ''American Wills Proved in London, 1611-1775''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992. {{FHL|619298|item|disp=FHL Book 973 P27ca}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48497 Ancestry] ($).<br><br>
*Coldham, Peter Wilson. ''North American Wills Registered in London, 1611-1857''. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007. {{FHL|1384506|item|disp=FHL Book 942 P27c 2007}}.
If you find a will abstact that interests you in Coldham's books, it is now possible to view digital images of the original Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills online at two United Kingdom pay-per-view websites:
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (1384-1858)], courtesy: The National Archives,&nbsp;UK.<br><br>
*[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/user/subscriptions.php#record_sets PCC&nbsp;Wills Index and Images (1384-1858)], courtesy: The Genealogist. (in progress)
==== Proved in Edinburgh  ====
The wills of some Virginia residents were proved in Edinburgh, Scotland, see:
*Dobson, David. ''Scottish-American Wills, 1650-1900''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1991. {{FHL|588724|item|disp=FHL Book 973 P22d}}. Over 2,000 citations including name, occupation, residence, and date.
Most of these references were taken from the Commissariat Court of Edinburgh (now the Sheriff Court of Edinburgh) and the ''Index to Personal Estates of Defuncts, 1846-1866.'' If you find a will abstact that interests you in Dobson's book, it is now possible to view digital images of the original records online at a United Kingdom pay-per-view website:
*[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Wills &amp; Testaments (1513-1901)], courtesy: Scotlands People


==== Additional Statewide Collections  ====
==== Additional Statewide Collections  ====
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