Maine Probate Records: Difference between revisions
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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]] | | link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]] | ||
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== Online Resources == | ==Online Resources== | ||
*'''1584 | *'''1584-1999''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8994/ Maine, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1584-1999] at Ancestry - index & images ($) | ||
*'''1640-1760''' {{FSC|286755|item|disp=Maine Wills, 1640-1760}}(*) Compiled and Edited with Notes by William M. Sargent at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images | |||
*'''1640-1760''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/84/maine-early-wills-and-deeds-1640-1760 Maine: Early Wills and Deeds, 1640-1760] at American Ancestors - index & images ($) | |||
*'''1760-1979''' {{RecordSearch|2040534|Maine, County Probate Records, 1760-1979}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine, County Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images only | |||
*[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] | |||
== Record Synopsis | ==Record Synopsis== | ||
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.”<ref>Henry Campbell Black, ''Black's Law Dictionary,'' 5th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1979), 1081, "probate."</ref> Genealogists often refer to 'Probate Records' as "All records which relate to the disposition of an estate," whether the person died leaving a will (testate) or not (intestate).<ref>Val. D. Greenwood, ''The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy,'' 3rd ed. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2000), 309.</ref> | 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.”<ref>Henry Campbell Black, ''Black's Law Dictionary,'' 5th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1979), 1081, "probate."</ref> Genealogists often refer to 'Probate Records' as "All records which relate to the disposition of an estate," whether the person died leaving a will (testate) or not (intestate).<ref>Val. D. Greenwood, ''The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy,'' 3rd ed. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2000), 309.</ref> | ||
Various | Various records may be found in probate files. These may include wills, guardianships, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, depositions, 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 the probate process, types of probate records, analyzing probate records, and to access a glossary of probate terms, see [[United States Probate Records]]. | For further information about the probate process, types of probate records, analyzing probate records, and to access a glossary of probate terms, see [[United States Probate Records]]. | ||
See also Helen Shaw, ''Maine Probate Research'' NGS Magazine 48 #2 (April-June, 2022): 38- FS Library 973 D25ngs v 48 no. 2 | |||
== History | ==History== | ||
Probate records of Maine are kept by the register of probate or the clerk of the probate court in each county. The records generally date from the year a county was formed. You can obtain copies of the original probate records by contacting the appropriate clerk's office. The addresses are listed in: | Probate records of Maine are kept by the register of probate or the clerk of the probate court in each county. The records generally date from the year a county was formed. You can obtain copies of the original probate records by contacting the appropriate clerk's office. The addresses are listed in: | ||
*Leclerc, Michael J., Editor. ''Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research''. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2012. This is an excellent guide to Maine towns and counties, location of public records, and genealogical societies. {{ | *Leclerc, Michael J., Editor. ''Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research''. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2012. This is an excellent guide to Maine towns and counties, location of public records, and genealogical societies. {{FSC|1967587|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974 D27g 2012}} | ||
== State Statutes | ==State Statutes== | ||
Understanding the Maine probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems. | Understanding the Maine probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems. | ||
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The following are examples of books related to Maine probate laws: | The following are examples of books related to Maine probate laws: | ||
*Luce, Enos T. ''Hand Book of Practice in the Probate Courts of the state of Maine. Containing Notes on the Execution and Probate of Wills, Duties of Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Trustees: Also Full Forms of Petitions, Orders and Decrees, with References to the Revised Statutes and Amendments Thereof; and Decisions of Our Courts''. Second edition. Revised by John A. Watterman. Portland, Maine: Dresser, McLellan & Co., 1880. A digital version of this book is available online at [ | *Luce, Enos T. ''Hand Book of Practice in the Probate Courts of the state of Maine. Containing Notes on the Execution and Probate of Wills, Duties of Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Trustees: Also Full Forms of Petitions, Orders and Decrees, with References to the Revised Statutes and Amendments Thereof; and Decisions of Our Courts''. Second edition. Revised by John A. Watterman. Portland, Maine: Dresser, McLellan & Co., 1880. A digital version of this book is available online at [https://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924017660196#page/n5/mode/2up Internet Archives]. | ||
*Southgate, Horatio. ''The Probate Manual: Containing Forms Adapted to the Practice of Probate Courts in the State of Maine: Also the Laws Establishing Probate Courts, Regulating Wills, the Descent, Distribution, Division, and Sale of Estates.'' Portland, [Me.]: Printed by Thomas Todd, 1830. {{WorldCat|31220134|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} | *Southgate, Horatio. ''The Probate Manual: Containing Forms Adapted to the Practice of Probate Courts in the State of Maine: Also the Laws Establishing Probate Courts, Regulating Wills, the Descent, Distribution, Division, and Sale of Estates.'' Portland, [Me.]: Printed by Thomas Todd, 1830. {{WorldCat|31220134|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} | ||
Additional information about Maine state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. | Additional information about Maine state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. | ||
== Repositories | ==Repositories== | ||
*The [http://www.mainehistory.org/ Maine Historical Society]. To search their online library catalog click [http://www.mainehistory.org/library_search.shtml Here].<br> | *The [http://www.mainehistory.org/ Maine Historical Society]. To search their online library catalog click [http://www.mainehistory.org/library_search.shtml Here].<br> | ||
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*The [[New England Historic Genealogical Society|New England Historic Genealogical Society]] located in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts has early Maine probate records available on microfilm. To search their online library catalog click [http://library.nehgs.org/ Here].<br> | *The [[New England Historic Genealogical Society|New England Historic Genealogical Society]] located in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts has early Maine probate records available on microfilm. To search their online library catalog click [http://library.nehgs.org/ Here].<br> | ||
*The [ | *The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] located in Salt Lake City, Utah has many Maine probate records available on microfilm. For collection details see the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog]. Use the "Place Search" option to search for a specific Maine county. Then look for the topic labeled "Probate Records." | ||
== Statewide Record Collections | ==Statewide Record Collections== | ||
An excellent source of transcripts of early wills is: | An excellent source of transcripts of early wills is: | ||
*Sargent, William M. ''Maine Wills, 1640-1760.'' 1887, Reprint. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1972. ({{ | *Sargent, William M. ''Maine Wills, 1640-1760.'' 1887, Reprint. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1972. ({{FSC|974.1 P2s 1972}}.); 1887 edited on {{FSC|6046701}}.) Digital versions of this book are available on [https://www.archive.org/details/cu31924081314852 Internet Archive], [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lbc-AAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=maine+wills&hl=en&ei=cq0KTb5hkqywA_GkrZwK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books], and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48210 Ancestry] ($). | ||
An index to wills and other probate records from 1687 to 1800 is: | An index to wills and other probate records from 1687 to 1800 is: | ||
*Frost, John E. ''Maine Probate Abstracts.'' | *Frost, John E. ''Maine Probate Abstracts.'' 2 volumes. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1991. ({{FSC|974.1 P2f}}.); the 1986-88 edition is on ten fiche beginning with ({{FSC|6332995}}.); The abstracts are of various types of records found in the probate courts of Maine, such as wills, administrations, estate divisions, estate accounts, guardianships, and other court actions. The abstracts are compiled into two volumes: Volume 1 (1687-1775) and Volume 2 (1775-1800). Volume 2 contains an every name index. Microfiche copies are also available at the [http://www.mainehistory.org/library_overview.shtml Maine Historical Library] and the [http://www.americanancestors.org/ New England Historic Genealogical Society]. | ||
== Websites | ==Websites== | ||
*'''[http://www.maineprobate.net/ Maineprobate.net]''' docket search, Free; ordering copies ($) | *'''[http://www.maineprobate.net/ Maineprobate.net]''' docket search, Free; ordering copies ($) | ||
==References== | |||
== References | |||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
{{ maine | maine }} | {{maine | maine }} | ||
[[Category:Maine, United States|Probate]][[Category:United States Probate Records]] | [[Category:Maine, United States|Probate]] | ||
[[Category:United States Probate Records]] | |||
Latest revision as of 17:55, 6 June 2024
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Online Resources[edit | edit source]
- 1584-1999 Maine, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1584-1999 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1640-1760 Maine Wills, 1640-1760(*) Compiled and Edited with Notes by William M. Sargent at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
- 1640-1760 Maine: Early Wills and Deeds, 1640-1760 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
- 1760-1979 Maine, County Probate Records, 1760-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- Full-Text Search - Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
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] Genealogists often refer to 'Probate Records' as "All records which relate to the disposition of an estate," whether the person died leaving a will (testate) or not (intestate).[2]
Various records may be found in probate files. These may include wills, guardianships, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, depositions, 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 the probate process, types of probate records, analyzing probate records, and to access a glossary of probate terms, see United States Probate Records. See also Helen Shaw, Maine Probate Research NGS Magazine 48 #2 (April-June, 2022): 38- FS Library 973 D25ngs v 48 no. 2
History[edit | edit source]
Probate records of Maine are kept by the register of probate or the clerk of the probate court in each county. The records generally date from the year a county was formed. You can obtain copies of the original probate records by contacting the appropriate clerk's office. The addresses are listed in:
- Leclerc, Michael J., Editor. Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2012. This is an excellent guide to Maine towns and counties, location of public records, and genealogical societies. FS Catalog book 974 D27g 2012
State Statutes[edit | edit source]
Understanding the Maine probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems.
The following are examples of books related to Maine probate laws:
- Luce, Enos T. Hand Book of Practice in the Probate Courts of the state of Maine. Containing Notes on the Execution and Probate of Wills, Duties of Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Trustees: Also Full Forms of Petitions, Orders and Decrees, with References to the Revised Statutes and Amendments Thereof; and Decisions of Our Courts. Second edition. Revised by John A. Watterman. Portland, Maine: Dresser, McLellan & Co., 1880. A digital version of this book is available online at Internet Archives.
- Southgate, Horatio. The Probate Manual: Containing Forms Adapted to the Practice of Probate Courts in the State of Maine: Also the Laws Establishing Probate Courts, Regulating Wills, the Descent, Distribution, Division, and Sale of Estates. Portland, [Me.]: Printed by Thomas Todd, 1830. At various libraries (WorldCat)
Additional information about Maine state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries.
Repositories[edit | edit source]
- The Maine Historical Society. To search their online library catalog click Here.
- The New England Historic Genealogical Society located in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts has early Maine probate records available on microfilm. To search their online library catalog click Here.
- The FamilySearch Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah has many Maine probate records available on microfilm. For collection details see the FamilySearch Catalog. Use the "Place Search" option to search for a specific Maine county. Then look for the topic labeled "Probate Records."
Statewide Record Collections[edit | edit source]
An excellent source of transcripts of early wills is:
- Sargent, William M. Maine Wills, 1640-1760. 1887, Reprint. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1972. (FS Library 974.1 P2s 1972.); 1887 edited on FS Library 6046701.) Digital versions of this book are available on Internet Archive, Google Books, and Ancestry ($).
An index to wills and other probate records from 1687 to 1800 is:
- Frost, John E. Maine Probate Abstracts. 2 volumes. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1991. (FS Library 974.1 P2f.); the 1986-88 edition is on ten fiche beginning with (FS Library 6332995.); The abstracts are of various types of records found in the probate courts of Maine, such as wills, administrations, estate divisions, estate accounts, guardianships, and other court actions. The abstracts are compiled into two volumes: Volume 1 (1687-1775) and Volume 2 (1775-1800). Volume 2 contains an every name index. Microfiche copies are also available at the Maine Historical Library and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Maineprobate.net docket search, Free; ordering copies ($)