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Vermont Probate Records: Difference between revisions
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== Record Synopsis == | == Record Synopsis == | ||
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> <br> | 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> <br> | ||
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. <br> | 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. <br> | ||
For further information about the probate process, types of probate records, 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].<br> | For further information about the probate process, types of probate records, 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].<br> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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'''1781.''' Before long Vermont’s population necessitated the creation of additional counties. In 1781 Cumberland County was abolished and the counties of Windsor, Windham, and Orange were formed. Rutland County was also formed from the northern portion of Bennington County. As a result of the reconfiguration, the number of probate districts per county decreased. Each Vermont county was divided into two probate districts, with the exception of Rutland, which was established with one. Since that time, all Vermont counties have been comprised of either one or two probate districts.<ref>John A. Williams, editor, ''Laws of Vermont, 1781-1784''; vol. 13 of ''State Papers of Vermont'' (Barre, Vermont: Modern Printing Company, 1965), 12-13.</ref> | '''1781.''' Before long Vermont’s population necessitated the creation of additional counties. In 1781 Cumberland County was abolished and the counties of Windsor, Windham, and Orange were formed. Rutland County was also formed from the northern portion of Bennington County. As a result of the reconfiguration, the number of probate districts per county decreased. Each Vermont county was divided into two probate districts, with the exception of Rutland, which was established with one. Since that time, all Vermont counties have been comprised of either one or two probate districts.<ref>John A. Williams, editor, ''Laws of Vermont, 1781-1784''; vol. 13 of ''State Papers of Vermont'' (Barre, Vermont: Modern Printing Company, 1965), 12-13.</ref> | ||
'''Today''' Vermont has 14 counties and 18 probate districts. The four southern counties (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor) still have two probate courts each. The remaining counties each have one probate district who's jurisdiction is confined to the current county boundaries. | '''Today''' Vermont has 14 counties and 18 probate districts. The four southern counties (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor) still have two probate courts each. The remaining counties each have one probate district who's jurisdiction is confined to the current county boundaries.<br> | ||
== State Statutes == | |||
Vermont probate courts are responsible for wills, inventories, estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, and relinquishments. | |||
Adoption cases over 99 years old are open to the public. <br> | |||
== Repositories == | == Repositories == | ||
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*[[Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District, Probates (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District, Probates (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester District Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
*[[Vermont, | *[[Vermont, Franklin County Probates (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont, Franklin County Probates (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
*[[Vermont Probate Records and Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont Probate Records and Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] [[Vermont, Washington County, Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[Vermont Probate Records and Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont Probate Records and Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] [[Vermont, Washington County, Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
*[[Vermont, Washington County, Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont, Washington County Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | *[[Vermont, Washington County, Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Vermont, Washington County Probate Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||