South Africa, Cape Province, Probate Records of the Master of the High Court - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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The original probate records from the Master of the High Court in Cape Province, South Africa are located in the Cape Archives Depot, Cape Town.
The original probate records from the Master of the High Court in Cape Province, South Africa are located in the Cape Archives Depot, Cape Town.
==Collection Contents==
=== Sample Images ===
<gallery>
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 52.jpg|Death Notice
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 53.jpg|Will Page 1
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 54.jpg|Will Page 2
</gallery>


==What Can These Records Tell Me?==
==What Can These Records Tell Me?==
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*Whether the deceased left a will  
*Whether the deceased left a will  
*Name of the informant
*Name of the informant
==Collection Content==
=== Sample Images ===
<gallery>
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 52.jpg|Death Notice
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 53.jpg|Will Page 1
Image:South Africa Cape Province Probate Records of The Master High Court DGS 007739210 Image 54.jpg|Will Page 2
</gallery>
Click on the image for a larger view.


== How Do I Search the Collection? ==  
== How Do I Search the Collection? ==  
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
*The name of the deceased
*Location of residence upon death
=== Search The Index ===
=== Search The Index ===
Search by name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2517051 Collection Page]. <br>
{{Search Collection Link
#Fill in the search boxes on the '''Collection Page''' with the information you have.<br>
| CID=CID2517051
#Click '''Search''' to show possible matches.
}}


===Tips to Keep In Mind===  
=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===
*Use the death notice to identify the spouse and parents. 
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.
*Use the death notice to identify dates and places of birth for listed family members. 
*Use the death notice to determine specific localities where ancestors lived.
*Use the probate records, such as the will, to identify additional family members. 
*The probate record may contain an inventory of personal property, and a list of who received the property.
*Read the information carefully for clues.
*Check for siblings, especially women, to determine if they married. 
*Try different ways of searching the collection. For example, fill in just the given name or the surname. This will return a list of everyone with that name so you can browse through options.


When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.  
'''Remember to:'''
*Whenever possible, look at the original record.  If often has more information than the indexed record.
*Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed.
*In case you need to find this record again later, copy the citation found on each record or image. Familysearch wiki has a [https://s3.amazonaws.com/ps-services-us-east-1-914248642252/s3/research-wiki-elasticsearch-prod-s3bucket/images/5/50/Research_Log.pdf Example Research Log] that you can download and use for this purpose.


===I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?===                           
===I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?===                           
*Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records.                          
*Use the age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records for the person and other family members. 
*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. 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.                 
*Use the information to find the person or family in prior census records.                        
*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.                         
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.  
*[[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.                        
*Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.        
*The probate record may contain an inventory of personal property, and a list of who received the property.  
*Check for siblings, especially women, to determine if they married.                      
*[[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.  
                     
===I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?===                               
===I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?===                               
*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.                                   
*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.                                   
*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 and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.                           
*Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.                           
*Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.                           
*Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.                           
*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.                           
*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 [http://usgenweb.org/research/nicknames.shtml nicknames] or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for [http://genealogy.about.com/od/first_names/fl/nickname-given-name-equivalents.htm these names] as well.                         
*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]].
*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.  
*Try different ways of searching the collection. For example, fill in just the given name or the surname. This will return a list of everyone with that name so you can browse through options.
*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another.
*Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors.
*Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors.


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|title=South Africa, Cape Province, Probate Records of the Master of the High Court, 1834-1989  
|title=South Africa, Cape Province, Probate Records of the Master of the High Court, 1834-1989  
}}
}}
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== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==  
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