Australia Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of an individual’s estate after he or she dies. Information in the records may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, an inventory of the estate, and names of witnesses.
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==Online Records==
*'''1832-1989''': {{FSC|255333|title-id|disp=Probate records of Western Australia, 1832-1989}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog; images
*'''1841-1926''': {{RecordSearch|2207846|Australia, Victoria, Wills, Probate and Administration Files, 1841-1926}} at FamilySearch; index & images
*'''1841-2009''': [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61315/ Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate Records, 1841-2009] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*'''1844-1916''': {{RecordSearch|3007557|Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records}} at FamilySearch; index
*'''1911-1994''': [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60748/ Northern Territory, Australia, Probate Index, 1911-1994] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1948-1992''': {{FSC|687560|title-id|disp=Alphabetized index cards of probates, wills, grants, etc., 1948-1992}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog; images
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/western-australia-blue-books Western Australia Blue Books] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
===New South Wales===
*'''1787-1976''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8822/ New South Wales, Australia, Miscellaneous Records, 1787-1976] at Ancestry, contains some probate records, images ($)
*'''1790-1875''' [https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/node/1571/browse Probate Records - Supplementary Index, 1790 to 1875] at New South Wales Archives, index. This index is for supplementary (early) probate records that are not part of the main probate series. It records the name, date, item number and page number.
*'''1790-1814''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/255501?availability=Family%20History%20Library Probate papers 1790-1814, New South Wales Supreme Court] at FamilySearch, images.
*'''1800-1931''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/258488?availability=Family%20History%20Library Registers of copy wills in New South Wales, 1800-1931] at FamilySearch, images.
*'''1821-1937''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1785 New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners' Inquests, 1821-1937] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
*'''1834-1958''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/227447?availability=Family%20History%20Library Office copy of wills. New South Wales. Registrar-General. 1834-1958] at FamilySearch, images of index. Contains an index to the Registrar General's Office list of wills for 1834-1958. Each volume has an A-Z listing.
*'''1859-1958''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4882 New South Wales, Australia, Index to Deceased Estate Files, 1859-1958] at Ancestry, index, browse, and images ($).
*'''1880-1939''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20011/australia-new-south-wales-deceased-estates-index-1880-1939?s=275764761 Australia, New South Wales Deceased Estates Index, 1880-1939] at MyHeritage, index only ($)
*'''1880-1958''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/638386?availability=Family%20History%20Library Card index to deceased estate files (probate), 1880-1958] at FamilySearch, images of index.
===Queensland===
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/queensland-intestacies-and-wills Queensland Intestacies & Wills] at Findmypast,  Index ($)
*'''1857-1940''' [https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/wills-1857-to-1940/resource/d595bb3e-7c7c-435e-b08d-448ed5f5fa23 Wills 1857-1940], index.
*'''1857-1940''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/queensland-wills-index-1857-1940 Queensland Wills Index 1857-1940] at Findmypast,  Index ($)
*'''1859-1900''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10057/queensland-intestacies-insolvencies-wills-1859-1900?s=250609981 Queensland Intestacies, Insolvencies & Wills, 1859 - 1900] at MyHeritage Index ($)
*'''1889-1929''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/queensland-trustee-files-1889-1929 Queensland, Trustee Files 1889-1929] at Findmypast,  Index ($)
*'''1896-1916''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/queensland-intestacy-returns-index-1896-1916 Queensland Intestacy Returns Index 1896-1916] at Findmypast,  Index ($)
===South Australia===
*{{RecordSearch|3007557|Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1840 to 2018''' [https://www.genealogysa.org.au/resources/online-database-search South Australian Public Trustees/Deceased Estates, 1840 to 2018] in Genealogy SA Online Database Search.
*'''1844-1891''' [https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/documents/GRS_1334_1_1844-1893_Probate_files_wills_v2.pdf Index to GRS 1334/1 - Probate files (wills), 1844-1891] State Archives
*'''1844-1890''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2727104?availability=Family%20History%20Library Australia, South Australia, Probate and administration books, numerical series, 1844-1890] at FamilySearch, index and images.
*'''1875-1935''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/3224064?availability=Family%20History%20Library Australia, South Australia, Succession duty "Old Act and "New Act" files, 1875-1935] at FamilySearch, images.
*'''1875-1892''' [https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/images/GRG84_9_0_1876-1892%20Combined%20Small.pdf GRG84/9 - Index to succession duty 'Old Act' files, 1875 - 1892 A - Z, arranged alphabetically by surname] State Archives
*'''1892-1916''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2752111?availability=Family%20History%20Library Australia, South Australia, probate and administration books, 1892-1916] at FamilySearch, index and images.
*'''1893-1927''' [https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/images/GRG84_9%201893%20-%201927%20A-Z%20with%20Cover%20Page%20-%20for%20website.pdf GRG84/9 - Index to succession duty 'New Act' files, 1893 - 1927 A - Z, arranged alphabetically by surname] State Archives
===Tasmania===
*[https://www.linc.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/guides-records/Pages/wills.aspx Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office, indexed and digitized probate records]
*'''1824-1990''' [https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qf=NI_INDEX%09Record+type%09Wills%09Wills Wills (1824-1990)] at Libraries Tasmania, index and images. Wills and letters of administration of estates registered for probate.
*'''1824-1989''' [http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/tasmania-wills-and-letters-of-administration-1824-1989 Tasmania Wills & Letters Of Administration 1824-1989] at Findmypast, Index ($)
*'''1833-1871''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/245038?availability=Family%20History%20Library Citations and bonds for the granting of letters of administration 1833-1871] at FamilySearch, images.
===Victoria===
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/victoria-wills-and-probate Victoria Wills & Probate] at Findmypast - index ($)
*'''1841-2016''' [https://www.prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates Wills and Probates] PRO Victoria, index and images.
*'''1841-2009''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61315/ Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate Records, 1841-2009] at Ancestry, index & images ($)
*'''1841-1926''' {{RecordSearch|2207846|Australia, Victoria, Wills, Probate and Administration Files, 1841-1926}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, Victoria, Wills, Probate and Administration Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1841-1989''' {{RecordSearch|1393345|Australia, Victoria, Index to Probate Registers, 1841-1989}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, Victoria, Index to Probate Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1850–2009''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10886/australia-victoria-will-probate-index-1850-2009 Australia, Victoria, Will and Probate Index 1850-2009] at MyHeritage, index ($)
*'''1840-1925''' {{RecordSearch|1805122|Australia, Victoria, Inquest Deposition Files, 1840-1925}} at FamilySearch - [[Australia, Victoria, Inquest Deposition Files - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1853-1959''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/241666?availability=Family%20History%20Library Index to probate applications, 1853-1959, Victoria. Probate Office] at FamilySearch, images of index.
===Western Australia===
*'''1832-1989''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/255333?availability=Family%20History%20Library Probate records of Western Australia, 1832-1989] at FamilySearch - images
*'''1948-1992''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/687560?availability=Family%20History%20Library Alphabetized index cards of probates, wills, grants, etc., 1948-1992] at FamilySearch - images
 
----
Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of an individual’s estate after he or she dies. Information in the records may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, an inventory of the estate, and names of witnesses.  


An individual who left a will is said to have died "testate." Someone who did not leave a will (or a valid will) died "intestate." The probate process is essentially the same for both and may take many years to complete.
An individual who left a will is said to have died "testate." Someone who did not leave a will (or a valid will) died "intestate." The probate process is essentially the same for both and may take many years to complete.


'''Availability of Probate Records'''
== Availability of Probate Records ==


Wills or probate records were kept by each state in Australia, beginning in the 1800s. If the deceased had property in another country, the will may have been probated in the other country.
Wills or probate records were kept by each state in Australia, beginning in the 1800s. If the deceased had property in another country, the will may have been probated in the other country.  


The Family History Library has a solid collection of probate records from Australia; however, many of them cannot be circulated to Family History Centers. Probate records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
The FamilySearch Library has a solid collection of probate records from Australia; however, many of them cannot be circulated to FamilySearch Centers. Probate records are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:  


AUSTRALIA, [STATE]- PROBATE RECORDS
AUSTRALIA, [STATE]- PROBATE RECORDS
==Offices to Contact==
=== New South Wales  ===
Records begin in 1800.
:Supreme Court of New South Wales<br>Probate Division<br>G.P.O. Box 3<br>Sydney<br>New South Wales 2000<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/sc
The Archives Office of New South Wales (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article for address) holds copies of some wills and some indexes.
=== Victoria  ===
Records begin in 1841.
:Registrar of Probates<br>Probate and Administration Office<br>471 Little Bourke Street<br>Melbourne<br>Victoria 3000<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Web site: [http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au]<br>
:Directory Listing: [http://www.archivists.org.au/directory/data/326.htm http://www.archivists.org.au/directory/data/326.htm]
The records prior to 2004 are also held by the Public Record Office of Victoria (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article in this wiki for address). See the [https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates online guide] to PROV probate records, or search the [http://210.8.122.120/indexes/index_search.asp?searchid=54 1841-1925 index].
[https://www.prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates Explore Wills and probates].<br>
=== Queensland ===
Three district courts—records begin as early as 1857; prior to 1859, probate was under the jurisdiction of New South Wales
:The Registrar<br>Southern District<br>Supreme Court of Queensland<br>George Street<br>Brisbane<br>Queensland 4000<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx
:The Registrar<br>Northern District<br>Supreme Court of Queensland<br>Walker Street<br>Townsville<br>Queensland 4810<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx
:The Registrar<br>Central District<br>Supreme Court of Queensland<br>East Street<br>Rockhampton<br>Queensland 4700<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx
The Queensland State Archives (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article in this wiki for address) holds early records as well as some indexes.
=== South Australia  ===
Records begin in 1832.<br>
:Probate Registry<br>1 Gouger St.<br>Adelaide<br>South Australia 5000<br>Australia<br>Phone: +61 8 8204 2444 <br>Email: [mailto:nquiry@courts.sa.gov.au nquiry@courts.sa.gov.au]
=== Tasmania  ===


The address of the probate offices for the individual states are:
Records begin in 1824.


'''New South Wales''' (records begin in 1800)<br />Supreme Court of New South Wales<br />Probate Division<br />G.P.O. Box 3<br />Sydney<br />New South Wales 2000<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/sc
:Probate Registry<br>Supreme Court of Tasmania<br>Salamanca Place<br>Hobart<br>Tasmania 7000<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.courts.tas.gov.au/supreme/


The Archives Office of New South Wales (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article for address) holds copies of some wills and some indexes.
=== Australian Capital Territory  ===


'''Victoria '''(records begin in 1841)<br />Registrar of Probates<br />Probate and Administration Office<br />471 Little Bourke Street<br />Melbourne<br />Victoria 3000<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.archivists.org.au/directory/data/326.htm
Records begin in 1911.


Some records are also held by the Public Record Office of Victoria (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article  this wiki for address).
:Registrar of Probate<br>Law Courts of the Australian Capital Territory<br>1st Floor<br>Knowles Place<br>Canberra City<br>Australian Capital Territory 2601<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.courts.act.gov.au/


'''Queensland''' (three district courts—records begin as early as 1857; prior to 1859, probate was under the jurisdiction of New South Wales)
=== Northern Territory  ===


The Registrar<br />Southern District<br />Supreme Court of Queensland<br />George Street<br />Brisbane<br />Queensland 4000<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.judywebster.gil.com.au/tips-qld.html
Records begin in 1911.  


The Registrar<br />Northern District<br />Supreme Court of Queensland<br />Walker Street<br />Townsville<br />Queensland 4810<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.judywebster.gil.com.au/tips-qld.html
:Registrar of Probates<br>Supreme Court of the Northern Territory<br>Law Courts Building<br>Mitchell Street<br>Darwin<br>Northern Territory 0800<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.nt.gov.au/ntsc/


The Registrar<br />Central District<br />Supreme Court of Queensland<br />East Street<br />Rockhampton<br />Queensland 4700<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.judywebster.gil.com.au/tips-qld.html
===Western Australia===


The Queensland State Archives (see the "[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" article in this wiki for address) holds early records as well as some indexes.
Records begin in 1832.


'''South Australia''' (records begin in 1832)<br />Probate Office<br />Stirling Gardens<br />Barrack Street<br />Perth<br />Western Australia 6000<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/courts/supreme/content.html
Supreme Court Registry and Central Office
:Probate Office<br>Level 11 David Malcolm Justice Centre<br>28 Barrack Street<br>Perth<br>Western Australia 6000<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Phone: (08) 9421 5333 (option 1) <br>Email: [mailto:supremecourt.probate@justice.wa.gov.au supremecourt.probate@justice.wa.gov.au]<br>[https://www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au/C/court_registries.aspx?uid=2437-9982-2572-5517 Website]


'''Tasmania''' (records begin in 1824)<br />Probate Registry<br />Supreme Court of Tasmania<br />Salamanca Place<br />Hobart<br />Tasmania 7000<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.courts.tas.gov.au/supreme/


'''Australian Capital Territory''' (records begin in 1911)<br />Registrar of Probate<br />Law Courts of the Australian Capital Territory<br />1st Floor<br />Knowles Place<br />Canberra City<br />Australian Capital Territory 2601<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.courts.act.gov.au/
{{Template:Pros-AU}}


'''Northern Territory''' (records begin in 1911)<br />Registrar of Probates<br />Supreme Court of the Northern Territory<br />Law Courts Building<br />Mitchell Street<br />Darwin<br />Northern Territory 0800<br />AUSTRALIA <br />Internet: http://www.nt.gov.au/ntsc/
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Probate Records]]

Latest revision as of 11:49, 20 March 2024


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Online Records[edit | edit source]

New South Wales[edit | edit source]

Queensland[edit | edit source]

South Australia[edit | edit source]

Tasmania[edit | edit source]

Victoria[edit | edit source]

Western Australia[edit | edit source]

Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of an individual’s estate after he or she dies. Information in the records may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, an inventory of the estate, and names of witnesses.

An individual who left a will is said to have died "testate." Someone who did not leave a will (or a valid will) died "intestate." The probate process is essentially the same for both and may take many years to complete.

Availability of Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Wills or probate records were kept by each state in Australia, beginning in the 1800s. If the deceased had property in another country, the will may have been probated in the other country.

The FamilySearch Library has a solid collection of probate records from Australia; however, many of them cannot be circulated to FamilySearch Centers. Probate records are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:

AUSTRALIA, [STATE]- PROBATE RECORDS

Offices to Contact[edit | edit source]

New South Wales[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1800.

Supreme Court of New South Wales
Probate Division
G.P.O. Box 3
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/sc

The Archives Office of New South Wales (see the "Archives and Libraries" article for address) holds copies of some wills and some indexes.

Victoria[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1841.

Registrar of Probates
Probate and Administration Office
471 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
AUSTRALIA
Web site: www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au
Directory Listing: http://www.archivists.org.au/directory/data/326.htm

The records prior to 2004 are also held by the Public Record Office of Victoria (see the "Archives and Libraries" article in this wiki for address). See the online guide to PROV probate records, or search the 1841-1925 index.

Explore Wills and probates.

Queensland[edit | edit source]

Three district courts—records begin as early as 1857; prior to 1859, probate was under the jurisdiction of New South Wales

The Registrar
Southern District
Supreme Court of Queensland
George Street
Brisbane
Queensland 4000
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx
The Registrar
Northern District
Supreme Court of Queensland
Walker Street
Townsville
Queensland 4810
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx
The Registrar
Central District
Supreme Court of Queensland
East Street
Rockhampton
Queensland 4700
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Pages/Default.aspx

The Queensland State Archives (see the "Archives and Libraries" article in this wiki for address) holds early records as well as some indexes.

South Australia[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1832.

Probate Registry
1 Gouger St.
Adelaide
South Australia 5000
Australia
Phone: +61 8 8204 2444
Email: nquiry@courts.sa.gov.au

Tasmania[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1824.

Probate Registry
Supreme Court of Tasmania
Salamanca Place
Hobart
Tasmania 7000
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.courts.tas.gov.au/supreme/

Australian Capital Territory[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1911.

Registrar of Probate
Law Courts of the Australian Capital Territory
1st Floor
Knowles Place
Canberra City
Australian Capital Territory 2601
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.courts.act.gov.au/

Northern Territory[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1911.

Registrar of Probates
Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
Law Courts Building
Mitchell Street
Darwin
Northern Territory 0800
AUSTRALIA
Internet: http://www.nt.gov.au/ntsc/

Western Australia[edit | edit source]

Records begin in 1832.

Supreme Court Registry and Central Office

Probate Office
Level 11 David Malcolm Justice Centre
28 Barrack Street
Perth
Western Australia 6000
AUSTRALIA
Phone: (08) 9421 5333 (option 1)
Email: supremecourt.probate@justice.wa.gov.au
Website

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