South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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| link5= [[Free State Province, South Africa Genealogy|Free State]]
| link5= [[Free State Province, South Africa Genealogy|Free State]]
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{{South Africa HR Infobox
{{South Africa HR Infobox
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|CID=CID3040532
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| RW_URL_01 = [https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/governance/services/south-african-genealogy South African Genealogy]
| RW_URL_01 = [https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/governance/services/south-african-genealogy South African Genealogy]
| RW_URL_02 = [https://www.cyndislist.com/south-africa/ Cyndi's List - South Africa]
| RW_URL_02 = [https://www.cyndislist.com/south-africa/ Cyndi's List - South Africa]
| RW_URL_03 = [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?locationId=country_64&orderby=memorials&page=1#cem-2306728 Find A Grave - South Africa]
| RW_URL_03 = [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?locationId=country_64&orderby=memorials&page=1#cem-2306728 Find a Grave - South Africa]
| RW_URL_04 = [http://genealogyintime.com/records/Africa-genealogy-records.html GenealogyInTime Magazine]
| RW_URL_04 = [http://genealogyintime.com/records/Africa-genealogy-records.html GenealogyInTime Magazine]
| RW_URL_05 = [http://www.eggsa.org/librarySearch/searchGraves.htm Genealogical Society of SA - Graves]
| RW_URL_05 = [http://www.eggsa.org/librarySearch/searchGraves.htm Genealogical Society of SA - Graves]
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| custodian = [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.za/node/2692 Free State Archives Repository]
| custodian = [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.za/node/2692 Free State Archives Repository]
}}
}}
== What is in This Collection? ==  
== What is in This Collection? ==  
This collection includes records from 1832-1989. The province changed names from the Orange Free State to the Free State in 1994.
This collection includes records from 1832-1989. The province changed names from the Orange Free State to the Free State in 1994.
South African probate records often include heirs, locations, property transfers, wills, and other important information. The most useful records in the collection are the death notices which give detailed information. The probate records usually have multiple pages and are included in a probate file, which is identified by a probate number.


South African probate records often include heirs, locations, property transfers, wills, and other important information. The most useful records in the collection are the death notices which give detailed information. The probate records usually have multiple pages and are included in a probate file, which is identified by a probate number.  
When a person died, the nearest relative or other connection should have completed a death notice and sent it to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the death.


When a person died, the nearest relative or other connection should have completed a death notice and sent it to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the death.  
The original probate records from the Master of the Supreme Court in the Orange Free State, South Africa are located in the Master's Office of the Orange Free State Archives, Bloemfontein.


The original probate records from the Master of the Supreme Court in the Orange Free State, South Africa are located in the Master's Office of the Orange Free State Archives, Bloemfontein.
{{HR Add}}
=== Index and Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}


=== Reading These Records ===
=== Reading These Records ===
These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading these records see the following guides:
These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading them see:
*[[Afrikaans Word List]]
*[[Afrikaans Word List]]
*[[Netherlands Language and Languages]]
*[[Netherlands Language and Languages]]
*[[South Africa Language and Languages]]
*[[South Africa Language and Languages]]
== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==  
== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==  
The following information may be found in these records:
The following information may be found in these records:
 
{{columns-list|3|
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'''Death'''
* Name of the deceased
* Name of the deceased
* Birthplace of the deceased
* Birthplace of the deceased
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* Occupation
* Occupation
* Marital status
* Marital status
{{col-break}}
* Place of last marriage
* Place of last marriage
* Name of surviving spouse
* Name of surviving spouse
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* Name of children
* Name of children
* Relationship of the deceased
* Relationship of the deceased
{{col-end}}
}}
 
== How Do I Search This Collection? ==  
== How Do I Search This Collection? ==  
 
Before searching for this collection, it is helpful to know:
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
*The name of the person you are looking for
*The name of the person you are looking for
*Approximate date of death
*Approximate date of death
=== Search the Index ===
=== Search the Index ===
{{Search Collection Link
{{Search Collection Link
| CID=CID3040532
| CID=CID3040532
}}
}}
=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===
=== 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 [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log | research log]].
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 [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log |research log]].
 
== What Do I Do Next? ==
== What Do I Do Next? ==
 
=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===
=== 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
*Use the age in the death records to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records                          
*Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
=== I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now? ===
*Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/South_Africa_Vital_Records_Index vital records indexes] in the country                 
*The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
*When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors                         
*Try searching by surname only
*[[South Africa Church Records|Church Records]] often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900
*Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century
 
=== Research Helps ===
===I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?===              
The following articles will help you research your family in [[South Africa Genealogy|South Africa]].
             
*[[South Africa Record Finder]]
*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful                                 
*[[South Africa Finding Town of Origin]]
*While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor                         
*Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation                         
*Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well                       
*Search the indexes and records of [[South Africa Societies|local genealogical societies]]
*Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800
*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another
*Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors<br><br>
 


== Citing 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.
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}}
{{Collection Published}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Record_Citation}}
== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==
{{Contributor invite}}

Latest revision as of 18:50, 13 March 2024

Access the Records
South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1832-1989
CID3040532
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Free State, South Africa
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Flag of South Africa
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Location of Free State, South Africa
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Location of South Africa
Record Description
Record Type: Probate Records
Collection years: 1832-1989
Languages: Afrikaans, English
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
Free State Archives Repository


What is in This Collection?

This collection includes records from 1832-1989. The province changed names from the Orange Free State to the Free State in 1994. South African probate records often include heirs, locations, property transfers, wills, and other important information. The most useful records in the collection are the death notices which give detailed information. The probate records usually have multiple pages and are included in a probate file, which is identified by a probate number.

When a person died, the nearest relative or other connection should have completed a death notice and sent it to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the death.

The original probate records from the Master of the Supreme Court in the Orange Free State, South Africa are located in the Master's Office of the Orange Free State Archives, Bloemfontein.

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

Index and Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

Reading These Records

These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading them see:

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

  • Name of the deceased
  • Birthplace of the deceased
  • Nationality of deceased
  • Names of parents of deceased
  • Age of the deceased
  • Occupation
  • Marital status
  • Place of last marriage
  • Name of surviving spouse
  • Date and place of death
  • Whether there is a will
  • Property left
  • Name of children
  • Relationship of the deceased

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching for this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of the person you are looking for
  • Approximate date of death

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

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

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 South Africa.

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.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.