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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Probate records are court records dealing with the distribution of a person’s estate after death. Information recorded may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, inventories of the estate (including trade and household goods), and names of witnesses. | Probate records are court records dealing with the distribution of a person’s estate after death. Information recorded may include the death date, names of heirs, family members, and guardians, relationships, residences, inventories of the estate (including trade and household goods), and names of witnesses. | ||
Probate records are very useful for family historians because | |||
* they are often the only record for the time period before census records where all members of a family might be listed | |||
* they can give vital information such as localities that the individual is associated with | |||
* they were recorded much earlier than birth, marriage, and death registration. | |||
Probate records were not created for every person who died. Courts probated estates (with or without a will) for fewer than 10 percent of English heads of households before 1858. However, as much as one- fourth of the population either left a will or was mentioned in one. | Probate records were not created for every person who died. Courts probated estates (with or without a will) for fewer than 10 percent of English heads of households before 1858. However, as much as one- fourth of the population either left a will or was mentioned in one. | ||
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*Omit the name of the eldest son who received his inheritance according to law; the names of others who had previously received their inheritance; or any deceased family members. | *Omit the name of the eldest son who received his inheritance according to law; the names of others who had previously received their inheritance; or any deceased family members. | ||
*Mention children from a spouse’s previous marriage. | *Mention children from a spouse’s previous marriage. | ||
*Mention a spouse who is not the parent of the children named. | *Mention a spouse who is not the parent of the children named. | ||
*Give inaccurate relationships of people mentioned in the document | |||
== Types of Probate Records == | == Types of Probate Records == | ||