Washington Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States Probate Records]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Washington|Washington]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]][[Washington_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]''  
{{WA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| 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 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/.  
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/.  


== Record Content  ==
== Record Content  ==
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Image:Washington Probate Records-2.jpg|Petition for Administratrix Page 2
Image:Washington Probate Records-2.jpg|Petition for Administratrix Page 2
Image:Washington Probate Records-8.jpg|Order of Appointment
Image:Washington Probate Records-8.jpg|Order of Appointment
</gallery>
</gallery>  
 
 
[https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Washington_County_Probate_Records_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29 Account of Administrator (partial)]
 
'''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)]
 
'''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
{| style="border:5px solid #00ff7f"
*Public notice of probate statement
|+ '''CLICK LINKS TO SEE SAMPLE DOCUMENTS'''
*Date of recording with court
|-
! 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>


"Genealogical Facts in Witness Statement"
|}


*Name of deceased  
{|
*Name and residence of witness
|-
*Date will witnessed
! style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''TYPES OF DOCUMENTS'''
 
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black;" | name deceased
'''Genealogical Facts in Petition for Administratrix'''  
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | name administrator + relationship to deceased  
 
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | heirs + relationships
*Name of court
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | names witnesses
*Name of and residence of applicant
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | death date + place
*Name of deceased
! style="text-align:center;border:2px solid black" | property of decease
*Death date and place
|-
*Heirs
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''WILL'''
*Property of deceased
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
 
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
 
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name of Court
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Name of deceased
| style="border:2px solid black" |
*Death date
|-
*Name of heir and relationship to deceased
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''PETITION FOR PROBATE'''  
*Date of probate filing
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
*Date of probate court
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" |
|-
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''WITNESS' STATEMENTS'''
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" |
|-
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''INVENTORY AND APPRAISAL'''
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
|-
| style="border:2px solid black;color:#006400" | '''FINAL ACCOUNT + PETITION FOR DISTRIBUTION'''
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" |
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
| style="border:2px solid black" | {{Green check}}
|}


== References  ==
== References  ==


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

Revision as of 17:58, 24 September 2024

Washington Wiki Topics
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Beginning Research
Record Types
Washington Background
Cultural Groups
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Online Resources[edit | edit source]

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 FamilySearch 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]

CLICK LINKS TO SEE SAMPLE DOCUMENTS
LINKS DEFINITIONS
WILL written instructions by a person regarding settlement of his affairs after his death
INTESTATE deceased without a will
PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL request to the Court for administration of estate of deceased person
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION person appointed by Court to direct distribution of estate; not specified in will
ADMINSTRATRIX female administrator
EXECUTOR administrator appointed in will
BOND OF ADMINSTRATOR money assurance of validity
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION declaration upon oath
INVENTORY AND APPRAISAL
LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP Court given authority to care for another person



TYPES OF DOCUMENTS name deceased name administrator + relationship to deceased heirs + relationships names witnesses death date + place property of decease
WILL Green check.png Green check.png
PETITION FOR PROBATE Green check.png Green check.png Green check.png Green check.png
WITNESS' STATEMENTS Green check.png Green check.png
INVENTORY AND APPRAISAL Green check.png Green check.png
FINAL ACCOUNT + PETITION FOR DISTRIBUTION Green check.png Green check.png Green check.png Green check.png Green check.png

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.