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<big>[[Norway|'''''Norway''''']] </big>''<big>Probate Records</big>'' | <big>[[Norway|'''''Norway''''']] </big>''<big>Probate Records</big>'' | ||
<br>Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of people's estates after death. These records are very helpful for genealogical research because in many areas the authorities began recording probate actions before the earliest birth and death records. It is also the record that can give us a more personal glimpse into the life of an ancestor because of the detailed description of personal property. | <br>Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of people's estates after death. These records are very helpful for genealogical research because in many areas the authorities began recording probate actions before the earliest birth and death records. It is also the record that can give us a more personal glimpse into the life of an ancestor because of the detailed description of personal property. | ||
Probate records were not created for every person that died. About 25% of the population had probates! Information in the records usually include: | Probate records were not created for every person that died. About 25% of the population had probates! Information in the records usually include: | ||
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Most probate records start around 1687, when a law was written in order to have a more systematic, legal procedure and to better protect the rights of minor heirs. Some probate records start as a separate record earlier, but most of the probates of earlier dates were part of the general court records. Many probates were conductred privately, the heirs themselves dividing the property and paying the debts. The only probates that took place in court were when the heirs could not agree on the division, and it became a matter for the court to resolve the differences. | Most probate records start around 1687, when a law was written in order to have a more systematic, legal procedure and to better protect the rights of minor heirs. Some probate records start as a separate record earlier, but most of the probates of earlier dates were part of the general court records. Many probates were conductred privately, the heirs themselves dividing the property and paying the debts. The only probates that took place in court were when the heirs could not agree on the division, and it became a matter for the court to resolve the differences. | ||
=== Probate Card Indexes in Norwegian Records === | |||
The Probate card indexes (produced by the Norwegian Archives) are by far the best indexes. They are indexed by the name of the farm where a person lived and are of great value because they will list: | |||
*Name of the decease and spouse | |||
*The date of the probate | |||
*Page number in the actual probate | |||
*Names and sometimes ages of children | |||
*The value of the estate | |||
If you are searching for your ancestors in the probate records make sure you check the card index (kort register) as they list the vital information about your ancestors without having to spend hours searching through the actual probates. These indexes are available on microfilm at the Family History Library. A card index has not been produced for every probate district in Norway. | |||
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Return to [[Norway|Norway Page]] | Return to [[Norway|Norway Page]] | ||
[[Category:Norway]] | [[Category:Norway]] | ||