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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Probate Records|Probate Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New_Jersey_Probate_Records|New Jersey Probate]]'' <br> | ''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Probate Records|Probate Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New_Jersey_Probate_Records|New Jersey Probate]]'' <br> | ||
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{{Adoption DEGenWeb}} | {{Adoption DEGenWeb}} | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
Until the 1670s, wills were probated by notary publics (according to Dutch law and custom). The notaries kept these documents in their personal custody and unfortunately were not required to record them in county or state records. For the whereabouts of these records, see [[New York Probate Records]]. <br> | Until the 1670s, wills were probated by notary publics (according to Dutch law and custom). The notaries kept these documents in their personal custody and unfortunately were not required to record them in county or state records. For the whereabouts of these records, see [[New York Probate Records]]. <br> | ||
== State Statutes == | == State Statutes == | ||
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Understanding the New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. For example:<br> | Additional information about New Jersey state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. For example:<br> | ||
Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "New Jersey statutes." The following are examples of free, digital books related to New Jersey probate laws: | Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "New Jersey statutes." The following are examples of free, digital books related to New Jersey probate laws: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== Repositories == | == Repositories == | ||
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The prerogative court began probating New Jersey wills and administrations in 1670. Authority to probate estates was vested in the governor, who was the judge of the prerogative court. He functioned as the "ordinary" or "surrogate general" until 1844. Because it was impossible for governors to personally oversee all probates, they appointed deputies or "surrogates" to act in their behalf. Probates for East and West Jersey continued to be recorded in Perth Amboy and Burlington until 1784. In that year, the secretary of state became the register of the prerogative court, and all original records from then on were sent to his office in Trenton. | The prerogative court began probating New Jersey wills and administrations in 1670. Authority to probate estates was vested in the governor, who was the judge of the prerogative court. He functioned as the "ordinary" or "surrogate general" until 1844. Because it was impossible for governors to personally oversee all probates, they appointed deputies or "surrogates" to act in their behalf. Probates for East and West Jersey continued to be recorded in Perth Amboy and Burlington until 1784. In that year, the secretary of state became the register of the prerogative court, and all original records from then on were sent to his office in Trenton. | ||
In the 1790s, the probate records earlier filed with the provincial secretaries were transferred to the office of the secretary of state for preservation. Prerogative court records include wills, administrations, letters of guardianship, and records of lunacy hearings. The prerogative court only functioned in an appellate capacity from 1784 to 1947, when it was replaced by the superior courts. Probate records filed with the prerogative court since 1784 generally consist of appeals made from local surrogate's and orphans' courts and records of the settling of estates where land was situated in two or more counties. | In the 1790s, the probate records earlier filed with the provincial secretaries were transferred to the office of the secretary of state for preservation. Prerogative court records include wills, administrations, letters of guardianship, and records of lunacy hearings. The prerogative court only functioned in an appellate capacity from 1784 to 1947, when it was replaced by the superior courts. Probate records filed with the prerogative court since 1784 generally consist of appeals made from local surrogate's and orphans' courts and records of the settling of estates where land was situated in two or more counties. | ||
==== County Orphans' Courts, 1785 to 1947 ==== | ==== County Orphans' Courts, 1785 to 1947 ==== | ||
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The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most state probate records from 1665 through 1900 and most county probate records through the early 1900s. The state archives has microfilm copies and the originals of all records formerly held by the secretary of state, 1670 to 1901, as well as microfilms of many pre-1901 county probate records. The county surrogate's court offices generally have orphans' court records from 1785 to the present, surrogates' court records from 1804 to the present, and some earlier records. | The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most state probate records from 1665 through 1900 and most county probate records through the early 1900s. The state archives has microfilm copies and the originals of all records formerly held by the secretary of state, 1670 to 1901, as well as microfilms of many pre-1901 county probate records. The county surrogate's court offices generally have orphans' court records from 1785 to the present, surrogates' court records from 1804 to the present, and some earlier records. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
== Statewide <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1289948332050_92" />Record Collections == | == Statewide <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1289948332050_92" />Record Collections == | ||
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In addition, copies of the original wills, administrations, inventories, and guardianships sent to Trenton since 1901 can be ordered from: | In addition, copies of the original wills, administrations, inventories, and guardianships sent to Trenton since 1901 can be ordered from: | ||
:Clerk of the Superior Court<br> | :Clerk of the Superior Court<br> | ||
:Records Information Center<br> | :Records Information Center<br> | ||
:P.O. Box 967<br> | :P.O. Box 967<br> | ||
:Trenton, NJ 08625-0967<br> | :Trenton, NJ 08625-0967<br> | ||
:Telephone: 609-292-4978<br> | :Telephone: 609-292-4978<br> | ||
:Fax: 609-777-0094<br> | :Fax: 609-777-0094<br> | ||
:Internet: http://www.answers.com/topic/new-jersey-superior-court | :Internet: http://www.answers.com/topic/new-jersey-superior-court | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
{{New Jersey|New Jersey}} | {{New Jersey|New Jersey}} | ||
[[Category:New_Jersey|Probate]] | [[Category:New_Jersey|Probate]] | ||