Washington Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{WA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
''[[United States Probate Records]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Washington|Washington]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Washington_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]''  
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Probate Records|U.S. Probate Records]]
| link3=[[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Washington Probate Records|Probate Records]]
}}
 
==Online Resources==
*'''1803-2010''' {{RecordSearch|1910364|U.S., Washington, County Records, 1803-2010}} at FamilySearch - [[Washington, County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Browsable records, incomplete for all counties.
*'''1832-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1454946|U.S., Washington, County Probate Case Files, 1832-1950}} at FamilySearch - [[Washington, County Probate Case Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index and images
*'''1851-1970''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9086 U.S., Washington, Wills and Probate Records] at Ancestry - index & images ($), incomplete.
*'''1853-1929''' {{RecordSearch|1979435|U.S., Washington, County Probate Records, 1853-1929}} at FamilySearch - [[Washington County Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Images
*'''1856-2009''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60228 U.S., Washington, County Records] at Ancestry ($), images/no index.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]
 
== Probate Courts  ==


== Probate Courts ==
In the territorial era, probate courts were established in each county to keep records of wills, bonds, orders, and the administrations of estates. When the superior courts succeeded the probate courts in 1891, all of the records of the clerks of the probate courts were transferred to the county clerk in each courthouse. Some probates were filed in the superior court.  
In the territorial era, probate courts were established in each county to keep records of wills, bonds, orders, and the administrations of estates. When the superior courts succeeded the probate courts in 1891, all of the records of the clerks of the probate courts were transferred to the county clerk in each courthouse. Some probates were filed in the superior court.  


The FamilySearch Library has acquired copies of probate records for a few counties in [[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]]. However, they are also available at the various county courthouses, or the county may have transferred early records to the Washington State Archives at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/.  
The Family History Library has acquired copies of probate records for a few counties in [[Washington|Washington]]. However, they are also available at the various county courthouses, or the county may have transferred early records to the Washington State Archives at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/.  
 
== Record Content  ==


<gallery perrow="3" widths="160px" heights="120px">
== Record Content ==
<gallery>
Image:Washington County Probate Records (12-0144) (12-0277) DGS 5456364 8 9 10.jpg|Probate Record Examples
Image:Washington County Probate Records (12-0144) (12-0277) DGS 5456364 8 9 10.jpg|Probate Record Examples
</gallery>
<gallery heights="120px" widths="160px" perrow="3">
Image:Washington Probate Records-3.jpg|Bequeath Statement or Will
Image:Washington Probate Records-3.jpg|Bequeath Statement or Will
Image:Washington Probate Records-4.jpg|Petition
Image:Washington Probate Records-4.jpg|Petition
Line 35: Line 22:
</gallery>  
</gallery>  


{| style="border:5px solid #00ff7f"
[https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington_County_Probate_Records_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29 Account of Administrator (partial)]
|+ '''CLICK LINKS TO SEE SAMPLE DOCUMENTS'''
|-
! style="text-align:center;background-color:#0000ff;border:2px solid black;color:#ffffff" | LINKS
! style="text-align:center;background-color:#0000ff;border:2px solid black;color:#ffffff" | DEFINITIONS
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11550-100731-6?cc=1454946&wc=12953217 WILL]
| style="border:2px solid black" | written instructions by a person regarding settlement of his affairs after his death
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | INTESTATE
| style="border:2px solid black" | deceased without a will
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11550-101677-19?cc=1454946&wc=12953217 PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL]
| style="border:2px solid black" | request to the Court for administration of estate of deceased person
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12337-50389-5?cc=1454946&wc=12951752 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION]
| style="border:2px solid black" | person appointed by Court to direct distribution of estate; not specified in will
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | ADMINSTRATRIX
| style="border:2px solid black" | female administrator
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | EXECUTOR
| style="border:2px solid black" | administrator appointed in will
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12337-54140-12?cc=1454946&wc=12951752 BOND OF ADMINSTRATOR]
| style="border:2px solid black" | money assurance of validity
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
| style="border:2px solid black" | declaration upon oath
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-30541-209-66?cc=1979435&wc=M67C-XTL:263601001,263682401 INVENTORY AND APPRAISAL]
| style="border:2px solid black" |
|-
| style="border:2px solid black" | [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-33060-10930-33?cc=1910364&wc=M9HM-PFS:n674775024 LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP]  
| style="border:2px solid black" | Court given authority to care for another person
<br> <br>


|}
'''Links to Sample Images'''


{|
[https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-30540-8620-24?cc=1979435&wc=MM1X-527:n568823336  Case File, 1891 (images 1-43; various documents)]
|-
 
! style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''TYPES OF DOCUMENTS'''  
'''Most probate records include'''
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black;" | name deceased  
*Name of the deceased
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | name administrator + relationship to deceased
*Death date
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | heirs + relationships
*Death place
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | names witnesses
*Residence
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | death date + place
*Heirs (these are usually family members)
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | property of decease
*Executor
|-
*Witnesses
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''WILL'''  
*Court where the estate was probated
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Court location
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Court date of probate
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
'''Genealogical Facts in Probate Case Files'''
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name of testator or deceased
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
|-
*Names of witnesses
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''PETITION FOR PROBATE'''  
*Residence of testator
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Lists of belongings, property, and so forth
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Various documents
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Recording dates
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Sometimes the date of death
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
'''Genealogical Facts in Bequeath Statement or Will'''
|-
*Name of deceased
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''WITNESS' STATEMENTS'''
*Date of will
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Heirs and relationships
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Witnesses
| style="border:2px solid black" |
 
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
"Genealogical Facts in Petition"
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name of deceased
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name and location of Court
|-
*Date of court probate
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''INVENTORY AND APPRAISAL'''  
*Name of petitioner
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
"Genealogical Facts in Probate Publication Statement"
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name and location of court
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Public notice of probate statement
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Date of recording with court
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
|-
"Genealogical Facts in Witness Statement"
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''FINAL ACCOUNT + PETITION FOR DISTRIBUTION'''  
*Name of deceased
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Name and residence of witness
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Date will witnessed
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
'''Genealogical Facts in Petition for Administratrix'''
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Name of court
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Name of and residence of applicant
|}
*Name of deceased
*Death date and place
*Heirs
*Property of deceased
 
"'Genealogical Facts in Order of Appointment'''
*Name of Court
*Name of deceased
*Death date
*Name of heir and relationship to deceased
*Date of probate filing
*Date of probate court


== References  ==
== References  ==


''[[Washington, United States Genealogy|Washington]] Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.  
''[[Washington]] Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.  


:NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into the FamilySearch Wiki and is being updated as time permits.
:NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into the FamilySearch Wiki and is being updated as time permits.
Line 133: Line 96:
{{Washington|Washington}}  
{{Washington|Washington}}  


<br>
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''
*[[Washington, King County Probate Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Washington, King County Probate Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Washington State County Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Washington State County Probate Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Washington State County Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]


[[Category:Washington_Probate_Records]]
[[Category:Washington|Probate]]

Revision as of 11:57, 22 January 2014

United States Probate RecordsGotoarrow.pngWashingtonGotoarrow.pngProbate Records

Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

In the territorial era, probate courts were established in each county to keep records of wills, bonds, orders, and the administrations of estates. When the superior courts succeeded the probate courts in 1891, all of the records of the clerks of the probate courts were transferred to the county clerk in each courthouse. Some probates were filed in the superior court.

The Family History Library has acquired copies of probate records for a few counties in Washington. However, they are also available at the various county courthouses, or the county may have transferred early records to the Washington State Archives at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/.

Record Content[edit | edit source]

Account of Administrator (partial)

Links to Sample Images

Case File, 1891 (images 1-43; various documents)

Most probate records include

  • Name of the deceased
  • Death date
  • Death place
  • Residence
  • Heirs (these are usually family members)
  • Executor
  • Witnesses
  • Court where the estate was probated
  • Court location
  • Court date of probate

Genealogical Facts in Probate Case Files

  • Name of testator or deceased
  • Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
  • Names of witnesses
  • Residence of testator
  • Lists of belongings, property, and so forth
  • Various documents
  • Recording dates
  • Sometimes the date of death

Genealogical Facts in Bequeath Statement or Will

  • Name of deceased
  • Date of will
  • Heirs and relationships
  • Witnesses

"Genealogical Facts in Petition"

  • Name of deceased
  • Name and location of Court
  • Date of court probate
  • Name of petitioner

"Genealogical Facts in Probate Publication Statement"

  • Name and location of court
  • Public notice of probate statement
  • Date of recording with court

"Genealogical Facts in Witness Statement"

  • Name of deceased
  • Name and residence of witness
  • Date will witnessed

Genealogical Facts in Petition for Administratrix

  • Name of court
  • Name of and residence of applicant
  • Name of deceased
  • Death date and place
  • Heirs
  • Property of deceased

"'Genealogical Facts in Order of Appointment

  • Name of Court
  • Name of deceased
  • Death date
  • Name of heir and relationship to deceased
  • Date of probate filing
  • Date of probate court

References[edit | edit source]

Washington Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.

NOTE: All of the information from the original research outline has been imported into the FamilySearch Wiki and is being updated as time permits.


Wiki articles describing online collections are found at: