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==Online Resources== | |||
*'''1843 - 1998''' {{RecordSearch|1865481|New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998}} at FamilySearch — index and images | |||
==History of New Zealand Probate Records== | |||
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Probate records are court records that describe the distribution of a person's estate after he or she dies. Information in the records may include the name of testator, death date, occupation, names of heirs, guardians and executor, relationships, residences, addresses of property owned, an inventory of the estate (including trade and household goods), and names of witnesses.<br> | |||
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Even though probate records were not created for every person who died, they are very helpful for research because civil authorities began recording probate actions earlier than they recorded birth and death records. <br> | |||
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While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they must be used with some caution. For example, they may omit the names of deceased family members or those who have previously received an inheritance. The spouse mentioned in a will may not be the parent of the children mentioned, or relationships noted in the will may not have the same meaning as they do today. <br> | |||
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The records were created by various courts throughout New Zealand. Although the index will contain entries up through 1998 when all images have been captured, the images for probates issued during the past 50 years are unavailable for viewing. The original records are located in the Archives New Zealand offices situated in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.<br> | |||
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=== Laws and Customs === | === Laws and Customs === | ||
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=== Availability of Probate Records === | === Availability of Probate Records === | ||
*[http://genealogypro.com/articles/New-Zealand-records.html Researching New Zealand Records] | |||
The FamilySearch Library has a good collection of New Zealand probate records including wills, letters of administration, testamentary registers, and probate register books. Records can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog under: | The FamilySearch Library has a good collection of New Zealand probate records including wills, letters of administration, testamentary registers, and probate register books. Records can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog under: | ||
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