Texas, Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Texas, Probate Records, 1800-1990
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Texas,
United States
Flag of Texas
Flag of Texas
Locator map of Texas
Location of Texas
Record Description
Record Type Probate
Collection years 1800-1990
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites


What Is in This Collection?

This collection contains images of probate records from seventy-five different counties in the state of Texas. The content and time period of these records vary by county. In Johnson County you will need to find the desired name in the index, which will be located in the column called “Estate”. Then go to the far right area of each page and get the volume and page number for the corresponding probate document. The specific name of the probate document will be listed in the column called “Orders” or “Proceedings”.

The page numbers in the index can be hard to read because they are in the book gutter (the area of the pages near the inner binding), and there is a dark shadow that obscures or partially obscures that information. When this happens, use the “invert” icon on the image viewer in FamilySearch, which changes the image from positive appearing to negative appearing. This usually helps make the page number readable.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

FamilySearch provides images and indexes subject to contractual limitations and changes. Access to images and indexes may vary. Some collections may only have partial indexes without images. See Restrictions for Viewing Images for details.

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Texas, Probate Records, 1800-1990.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

  • Name of testator or deceased
  • Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
  • Name of executor, administrator, or guardian
  • Names of witnesses
  • Residence of testator
  • Document and recording dates (Used to approximate event dates i.e. A will might have been written near time of death, but it was always written prior to death.)

Collection Content

Sample Images

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • Name of the person
  • The location or date of the event

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • Name of the person
  • Approximate date of the event

Search the Index

This collection does not have a searchable index. Only images are available. See View the Images to access them.

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Volume Title and Year to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • If available, check the image for additional information
  • Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
  • Record entries for other people with the same surname to identify possible relationships

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

  • The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
  • Try searching by surname only
  • Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Texas.

Other FamilySearch Collections

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Historical Records

FamilySearch Digital Library

Known Issues

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.