Rhode Island Probate Records: Difference between revisions
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==== National ==== | ==== National ==== | ||
*The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Family_History_Library Family History Library] has microfilm copies of many of these records. | *The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Family_History_Library Family History Library] has microfilm copies of many of these records. For collection details see the [http://fsbeta.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog]. Use the "Place Search" option to search for a specific Rhode Island county or town. Then look for the topic labeled "Probate Records." | ||
== Statewide Record Collections == | == Statewide Record Collections == | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 16 November 2010
United States 
Rhode Island Probate Records UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Record Synopsis[edit | edit source]
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.”[1] 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. For further information about probate records and the probate process see United States Probate Records.
History[edit | edit source]
Probate matters were recorded by town councils until each town established a probate court. Many of the published town records include references to wills and estate matters.
State Statutes[edit | edit source]
Repositories[edit | edit source]
Local[edit | edit source]
Regional[edit | edit source]
National[edit | edit source]
- The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of these records. For collection details see the Family History Library Catalog. Use the "Place Search" option to search for a specific Rhode Island county or town. Then look for the topic labeled "Probate Records."
Statewide Record Collections[edit | edit source]
The probate records of Providence, 1670 to 1730, have been published. Also see Frank Calef's index to Providence probate records of 1663 to 1775 (FHL 022385).
- Wakefield, Robert S. Index to Wills in Rhode Island Genealogical Register, Volumes 1 through 4. Warwick, Rhode Island: Plymouth Colony Research Group, 1982. (FHL 974.5 D2ri.); An excellent index to a large number of Rhode Island wills to about 1850. The Rhode Island Genealogical Register continues to publish abstracts of wills.
The general council, also known as the Council of Probate, kept minutes and documents dealing with probate appeals for the years 1667 to 1813 (FHL 954936-37).
Learn More[edit | edit source]
Published Materials[edit | edit source]
- Melnyk, Marcia D. Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research, 4th ed. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1999. (FHL 974 D27g.)
Websites[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Henry Campbell Black, Black's Law Dictionary, 5th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1979), 1081, "probate."
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