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
|CID=CID3040532
|CID=CID3040532
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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.
=== Image Visibility ===
=== Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}
{{Image Visibility}}
=== Reading These Records ===
=== Reading These Records ===
These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading these records please see the following:
These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading these records please see the following:
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*[[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:
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* Relationship of the deceased
* Relationship of the deceased
{{col-end}}
{{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                           
*Add any new information to your records                           
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*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                           
*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                           
*[[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
*[[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 the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?===                 
===I Can't Find the Person 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                           
*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                           
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*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another
*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>
*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 Published}}
{{Collection Published}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Record_Citation}}
== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==
== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==
{{Contributor invite}}
{{Contributor invite}}

Revision as of 17:59, 8 December 2020

Access the Records
South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1832-1989
CID3040532
{{{CID2}}}
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{{{CID4}}}
{{{CID5}}}
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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?[edit | edit source]

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.

Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading these records please see the following:

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records:

Death

  • 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?[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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?[edit | edit source]

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?[edit | edit source]

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use the age in the death records to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
  • 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 vital records indexes in the country
  • 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
  • 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 the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • 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
  • 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 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

Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

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

How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki?[edit | edit source]

Template:Contributor invite