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The probate is usually made up of two main parts, the [[Preamble of Swedish Probate (Bouppteckningens ingress)|preamble]] and the list of [[Swedish Probate Inventory|inventory]]. To that may be added a closing statement with the signatures of the heirs (those who were "of age") or just their initials. | The probate is usually made up of two main parts, the [[Preamble of Swedish Probate (Bouppteckningens ingress)|preamble]] and the list of [[Swedish Probate Inventory|inventory]]. To that may be added a closing statement with the signatures of the heirs (those who were "of age") or just their initials. | ||
=== Important Points to Remember === | |||
*Male came of age at 21 years | *Male came of age at 21 years | ||
*Females never became of age unless they were widowed. See [[Legal Age in Sweden]] for more information. | *Females never became of age unless they were widowed. See [[Legal Age in Sweden]] for more information. | ||
*Make it a practice to scan the debts/assets sections of the probate. As it is true today, so it was then, money was often loaned/borrowed by relatives | *Make it a practice to scan the debts/assets sections of the probate. As it is true today, so it was then, money was often loaned/borrowed by relatives | ||
*Half of the value of the estate went to the surviving spouse | *Half of the value of the estate went to the surviving spouse | ||
*Male heirs received a double portion to the inheritance female heirs received in rural parishes. In cities males and females received equal portions. | *Male heirs received a double portion to the inheritance female heirs received in rural parishes. In cities males and females received equal portions. | ||
At the end of the probate document, the following persons normally signed: (a signature infers agreement with the inventory) surviving spouse, sons, sons-in-law, appraisers, guardians. Note: Not all of the population of the 1700s and early 1800s could write. Therefore, one of the appraisers may have guided the heir’s hand while he held the pen. Often signatures were simply initials. For example, Jöns Andersson might write his name as J[öns] A[nders] S[on]. | |||
== Finding the Record == | == Finding the Record == | ||