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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[United States Probate Records|Probate Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Indiana_Probate_Records|Indiana Probate]]''  
''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[United States Probate Records|Probate Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Indiana_Probate_Records|Indiana Probate]]''  


{{Template:US-probate-topic_bar}}
== Record Synposis  ==


Probate records are court records created after an individual’s death that relate to a court’s decisions regarding the distribution of the estate to the heirs or creditors and the care of any dependents. These documents are important to family history researchers because they usually exist for time periods before civil birth and death records were kept. While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they have [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations]].  
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> Various types of records are created throughout the probate process. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, 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&nbsp;the probate process,&nbsp;types of probate records,&nbsp;analyzing probate records, and to access a glossary of probate terms, see [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/United_States_Probate_Records United States Probate Records].  


=== Jurisdictions<br> ===
== History ==


Until statehood, the following courts had jurisdiction:  
Until statehood, the following courts had jurisdiction:  
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In 1829 a separate Probate Court was legislated and, with it, separate Probate Order Books. This court was replaced in 1853 with the Court of Common Pleas. It was abolished in 1873 and its jurisdiction was transferred to the Circuit Court. Many Order Books continued sequential numbering. For most counties, the court with probate jurisdiction has been the Circuit Court. Certain exceptions exist. Superior Courts in Lake, Laporte and Porter counties, for example, have had probate jurisdiction since 1899, and separate Probate Courts were created in Marion (1907), Vanderburgh (1919), and St. Joseph (1945) counties.  
In 1829 a separate Probate Court was legislated and, with it, separate Probate Order Books. This court was replaced in 1853 with the Court of Common Pleas. It was abolished in 1873 and its jurisdiction was transferred to the Circuit Court. Many Order Books continued sequential numbering. For most counties, the court with probate jurisdiction has been the Circuit Court. Certain exceptions exist. Superior Courts in Lake, Laporte and Porter counties, for example, have had probate jurisdiction since 1899, and separate Probate Courts were created in Marion (1907), Vanderburgh (1919), and St. Joseph (1945) counties.  


=== Obtaining the Records<br> ===
== State Statutes ==


'''Indexes'''
== Repositories  ==


A statewide index to the names of persons who left wills in Indiana through 1880 is available in:
==== Local  ====


*Franklin, Charles M. ''Index to Indiana Wills: Phase 1, through 1850; Phase 2, 1850 through 1880''. Two volumes. Indianapolis, Indiana: Heritage House, 1986-1987. This provides name, year, county, volume, and page. {{FHL|452121|item}}
==== Regional  ====


'''National Repositories'''
==== National ====


The Family History Library has microfilmed Probate Order Books and Probate Complete Order Books for over half of the counties in Indiana. Do not overlook the ''Complete, or Final, Probate Order Book''. When an estate was settled, the clerk copied into these ledgers all the original papers, including bonds, wills, inventories, sale bills, settlements, and distribution of assets.  
The Family History Library has microfilmed Probate Order Books and Probate Complete Order Books for over half of the counties in Indiana. Do not overlook the ''Complete, or Final, Probate Order Book''. When an estate was settled, the clerk copied into these ledgers all the original papers, including bonds, wills, inventories, sale bills, settlements, and distribution of assets.  


Probate records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog.
== Statewide Record Collections  ==


'''Probate Record Inventories'''
== Learn More  ==


Lists of wills and will abstracts for many counties are found in:  
*Anne Roach, ''[https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Goldmine__Beyond_the_Court_Order_Book/Player.html Courthouse Records Overview]'' (35 minute online video) [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 FamilySearch Research Classes Online], 2010.
*Eichholz, Alice, Editor. ''Redbook: American State, County, and Town Sources.'' Third Edition. Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004, p. 210. {{FHL|1185723|item}}
*Rose, Christine.''Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures.'' San Jose, California: CR Publications, 2004.&nbsp; {{FHL|1202197|item}}
 
==== Published Materials  ====


*Franklin, Charles M. ''Index to Indiana Wills: Phase 1, through 1850; Phase 2, 1850 through 1880''. Two volumes. Indianapolis, Indiana: Heritage House, 1986-1987. This provides name, year, county, volume, and page. {{FHL|452121|item}}
*Heiss, Willard, et al. editors. ''Indiana Source Book: Genealogical Material from the Hoosier Genealogist.'' 10 volumes to date. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, Family History Section, 1977-. {{FHL|360073|item}} These volumes include transcripts of wills and other records appearing in this periodical from 1961 - 1996.  
*Heiss, Willard, et al. editors. ''Indiana Source Book: Genealogical Material from the Hoosier Genealogist.'' 10 volumes to date. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, Family History Section, 1977-. {{FHL|360073|item}} These volumes include transcripts of wills and other records appearing in this periodical from 1961 - 1996.  
*Moudy, Vera Mae (Ginder). ''Directory, Wills and Estate Information in Genealogy Dept., Indiana State Library''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe, 1981. This is a county-by-county list of books and films at the Indiana State Library. {{FHL|418740|item}}
*Moudy, Vera Mae (Ginder). ''Directory, Wills and Estate Information in Genealogy Dept., Indiana State Library''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe, 1981. This is a county-by-county list of books and films at the Indiana State Library. {{FHL|418740|item}}


'''Web Sites'''
==== Websites  ====


*[http://www.deathindexes.com/indiana/ Deathindexes.com] provides links to several Indiana probate records.  
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/indiana/ Deathindexes.com] provides links to several Indiana probate records.  
*[http://www.umw.edu/cas/historicpreservation/research_resources/default.php The University of Mary Washington] has indexed and transcribed probate inventories for Dearborn, Franklin, and Ripley counties.
*[http://www.umw.edu/cas/historicpreservation/research_resources/default.php The University of Mary Washington] has indexed and transcribed probate inventories for Dearborn, Franklin, and Ripley counties.


=== Learn More  ===
{{Indiana|Indiana}}  
 
*Anne Roach, ''[https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Courses/FamilyHistoryLibraryExport/Goldmine__Beyond_the_Court_Order_Book/Player.html Courthouse Records Overview]'' (35 minute online video) [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/education/frameset_education.asp?PAGE=education_research_series_online.asp%3FActiveTab=2 FamilySearch Research Classes Online], 2010.
*Eichholz, Alice, Editor. ''Redbook: American State, County, and Town Sources.'' Third Edition. Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004, p. 210. {{FHL|1185723|item}}
*Rose, Christine.''Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures.'' San Jose, California: CR Publications, 2004.&nbsp; {{FHL|1202197|item}}


[[Category:Indiana|Probate]]
[[Category:Indiana|Probate]]
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