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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois|Illinois]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[ | ''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois|Illinois]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois Probate Records|Illinois Probate]]'' | ||
[[Image:Illinois Probate Records DGS Appointment 4595145 75.jpg|thumb|right|315x264px]] | [[Image:Illinois Probate Records DGS Appointment 4595145 75.jpg|thumb|right|315x264px]] | ||
== Record Synopsis == | === Record 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 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. | ||
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Explore more about the [[United States Probate Process|probate process]], [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations of probate records]], [[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 [http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/United_States_Probate_Records United States Probate Records].<br> | Explore more about the [[United States Probate Process|probate process]], [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations of probate records]], [[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 [http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/United_States_Probate_Records United States Probate Records].<br> | ||
== History == | === History === | ||
Variations existed within counties as probate jurisdictions and county boundaries changed over the years. | Variations existed within counties as probate jurisdictions and county boundaries changed over the years. | ||
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'''State (1818 - present)'''<br>Clerk of County Court (1816 - 1819)<br>Clerk of County's Commissioners' Court (1819 - 1821)<br>County Probate Court (1821 - 1848)<br>County Probate Court (for counties with 50,000+ population) (1870 - 1964)<br>County Court (1848 - 1964)<br>Circuit Court (1964 - present) | '''State (1818 - present)'''<br>Clerk of County Court (1816 - 1819)<br>Clerk of County's Commissioners' Court (1819 - 1821)<br>County Probate Court (1821 - 1848)<br>County Probate Court (for counties with 50,000+ population) (1870 - 1964)<br>County Court (1848 - 1964)<br>Circuit Court (1964 - present) | ||
== State Statutes == | === Searching Probate Records<br> === | ||
It is usually best to start a probate search at the county level. Links to county pages appear below. Additional resources for Illinois probates may be found in the [http://www.familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&catSearchType=subject_id&searchCriteria=432318 Illinois-Probate] topic page of the Family History Library catalog (FHLC). Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp Family History Centers]. Also find Illinois Probate resources available at [http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_bks&q=illinois+probate&fq=dt%3Abks other libraries (WorldCat)]. Explore how to search [[Worldcat_Online_Catalog|WorldCat]] and the [[Introduction_to_the_Family_History_Library_Catalog|FHLC]].<br> | |||
=== Web Sites<br> === | |||
*[http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases.html The Illinois Regional Archives Depositories] includes some online Illinois probate indexes.<br> | |||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1834344 Family Search Historical records] collection includes free online images of will books, administrations, journals, inventories, guardian's records, and order books from probate courts in Illinois. The content and time period will vary by county. A wiki article describing this collection is found at [http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Illinois_Probate_Books_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Illinois Probate Books (FamilySearch Historical Records)].<br> | |||
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/illinois/index.html DeathIndexes.com] provides links to several Illinois probate records.<br> | |||
*[http://ilgenweb.net/ USGenWeb, Illinois] is a cooperative volunteer effort with links to resources in the state and counties.<br> | |||
*Ancestry databases related to [http://search.ancestry.com/Places/US/Illinois/Default.aspx?category=36 Illinois Tax Criminal, Land, and Wills] ($)<br> | |||
*[http://estate.findlaw.com/probate/probate-court-laws/estate-planning-law-state-probate.html FindLaw] has information on Illinois Probate Courts. | |||
=== Published Materials === | |||
*Eichholz, Alice, Editor. ''Redbook: American State, County, and Town Sources.'' Third Edition. Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004, 185. {{FHL|1185723|item|disp=FHL 973 D27rb 2004}} | |||
*Greenwood, Val D. Third edition. ''The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. ''Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 2000, 346. {{FHL|960443|item|disp=FHL 973 D27g 2000}} | |||
*Pease, Theodore Calvin. "The County Archives of the State of Illinois." Clarence Walworth Alvord, editor. ''Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library.'' Volume XII. Springfield, Ill.: Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 1915. Chap. IV, pp. lxxviii-lxxxi. View a free digital version online at [http://books.google.com/books?id=kVVIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR127&dq=illinois+probate&hl=en&ei=-Q2zTIvZEYu0sAP295T4Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF0Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=illinois%20probate&f=false Google Books]. | |||
=== State Statutes === | |||
Understanding the Illinois 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 Illinois 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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*Starr, Merritt and Russell H. Curtis, editors. ''Annotated Statutes of the State of Illinois in Force January 1, 1885 ....''Volume I. Chicago: Callaghan & Co., 1885. View at [http://books.google.com/books?id=RDwlAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=illinois+statutes&hl=en&ei=uiizTNDDF46gsQOh0Y3zAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF4Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books] using the search term "probate" for references specific to probate. | *Starr, Merritt and Russell H. Curtis, editors. ''Annotated Statutes of the State of Illinois in Force January 1, 1885 ....''Volume I. Chicago: Callaghan & Co., 1885. View at [http://books.google.com/books?id=RDwlAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=illinois+statutes&hl=en&ei=uiizTNDDF46gsQOh0Y3zAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF4Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books] using the search term "probate" for references specific to probate. | ||
Current laws are offered online by the Illinois General Assembly as [http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp ''Illinois Compiled Statutes''] | Current laws are offered online by the Illinois General Assembly as [http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp ''Illinois Compiled Statutes'']. | ||
Additional information about Illinois state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. | |||
== Learn More == | === Learn More === | ||
*Anne Roach, ''[https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Goldmine__Beyond_the_Court_Order_Book/Player.html Courthouse Records Overview]'' (35 minute online video) [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 FamilySearch Research Classes Online], 2010.<br> | *Anne Roach, ''[https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Goldmine__Beyond_the_Court_Order_Book/Player.html Courthouse Records Overview]'' (35 minute online video) [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 FamilySearch Research Classes Online], 2010.<br> | ||
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*Szucs, Loretto Dennis and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, editors. ''The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy.'' Third edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, Inc., 2006. Of particular interest is the section, "Probate," pages 268 - 277. {{FHL|1211475|item|disp=FHL 973 D27ts 2006}} | *Szucs, Loretto Dennis and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, editors. ''The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy.'' Third edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, Inc., 2006. Of particular interest is the section, "Probate," pages 268 - 277. {{FHL|1211475|item|disp=FHL 973 D27ts 2006}} | ||
=== | === References === | ||
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