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== 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, [[United States Probate Wills|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. For further information about the probate process, types of probate records, [[Analyzing United States Probate Records|analyzing probate records]], and to access a [[Glossary of United States Probate Terms|glossary]] of probate terms, see [[ | 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, [[United States Probate Wills|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. For further information about the probate process, types of probate records, [[Analyzing United States Probate Records|analyzing probate records]], and to access a [[Glossary of United States Probate Terms|glossary]] of probate terms, see [[United States Probate Records|United States Probate Records]]. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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For the period '''after 1865''', it is necessary to search will indexes on a county-by-county basis. | For the period '''after 1865''', it is necessary to search will indexes on a county-by-county basis. | ||
Original will books are stored at courthouses. Many are available on microfilm at the [[Library of Virginia]] and the [[Family History Library]]. A guide for the Library of Virginia collections has been published.<ref>John Vogt, William T. Kethley and Virginia State Library and Archives (Richmond Virginia). ''Will and Estate Records in the Virginia State Library A Researcher's Guide'' (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., c1987). {{FHL|478868|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P23v}}.</ref> | Original will books are stored at courthouses. Many are available on microfilm at the [[Library of Virginia]] and the [[Family History Library]]. A guide for the Library of Virginia collections has been published.<ref>John Vogt, William T. Kethley and Virginia State Library and Archives (Richmond Virginia). ''Will and Estate Records in the Virginia State Library A Researcher's Guide'' (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., c1987). {{FHL|478868|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 P23v}}.</ref> | ||
=== Proved in London === | === Proved in London === | ||
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*[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Wills & Testaments (1513-1901)], courtesy: Scotlands People | *[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Wills & Testaments (1513-1901)], courtesy: Scotlands People | ||
== | == Abstracts == | ||
Many abstracts of Virginia wills have been published, see: [[Virginia Probate Record Abstracts]]. | |||
== State Statutes == | == State Statutes == | ||
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Understanding the 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 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 Virginia state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. ''Hening's Statutes at Large'' (13 vols., covers 1619-1792) are available [http://vagenweb.org/hening/ online]. | Additional information about Virginia state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. ''Hening's Statutes at Large'' (13 vols., covers 1619-1792) are available [http://vagenweb.org/hening/ online]. | ||
== Websites == | == Websites == | ||
*[http://estate.findlaw.com/probate/probate-court-laws/state-probate-courts(2).html#UT FindLaw] has information on Virginia State Probate Courts. | *[http://estate.findlaw.com/probate/probate-court-laws/state-probate-courts(2).html#UT FindLaw] has information on Virginia State Probate Courts. | ||
*[http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/uclittle1d.htm Sources for Virginia Genealogy Research] at About.com has a bibliography of sources for learning about Virginia Probate Records. | *[http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/uclittle1d.htm Sources for Virginia Genealogy Research] at About.com has a bibliography of sources for learning about Virginia Probate Records. | ||
*Jurisdiction information of Virginia courts can be found at the [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/burned_juris/Jurisdiction_info.htm Library of Virginia] Internet site. | *Jurisdiction information of Virginia courts can be found at the [http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/burned_juris/Jurisdiction_info.htm Library of Virginia] Internet site. | ||