3,949
edits
no edit summary
HarrisonJB (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
HarrisonJB (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
Since Vermont first proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1777, probate records have been kept by probate district courts. Unlike Vermont county courts, which have jurisdiction over the entire county, early Vermont probate districts were confined to a specific geographical area within the county. As a result, counties were comprised of multiple probate districts. Initially the number of probate districts per county was set by Vermont legislators at four.<ref name="null">Aaron H. Grout, ''State Papers of Vermont: Journals and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont'', vol. 3 (Bellows Falls, Vermont: P. H. Gobie Press, Inc., 1924), 8.</ref> When representatives met in general assembly in February 1779 they created three probate districts in Bennington County (Bennington, Manchester, and Rutland), and four in Cumberland County (Guilford, Rockingham, Windsor, and Barnet).<ref>Howard E. Armstong, ''State Papers of Vermont'', vol. 12. (Montpelier, Vermont: Vermont Printing Company, 1964), 85-86.</ref> | Since Vermont first proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1777, probate records have been kept by probate district courts. Unlike Vermont county courts, which have jurisdiction over the entire county, early Vermont probate districts were confined to a specific geographical area within the county. As a result, counties were comprised of multiple probate districts. Initially the number of probate districts per county was set by Vermont legislators at four.<ref name="null">Aaron H. Grout, ''State Papers of Vermont: Journals and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont'', vol. 3 (Bellows Falls, Vermont: P. H. Gobie Press, Inc., 1924), 8.</ref> When representatives met in general assembly in February 1779 they created three probate districts in Bennington County (Bennington, Manchester, and Rutland), and four in Cumberland County (Guilford, Rockingham, Windsor, and Barnet).<ref>Howard E. Armstong, ''State Papers of Vermont'', vol. 12. (Montpelier, Vermont: Vermont Printing Company, 1964), 85-86.</ref> | ||
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>Harry H. Cooley, ''State Papers of Vermont'', vol. 13 (Barre, Vermont: Modern Printing Company, 1965), 12-13.</ref> | 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>Harry H. Cooley, ''State Papers of Vermont'', vol. 13 (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. | Today, Vermont has 14 counties and 18 probate districts. The four southern counties (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor) still have two probate courts each. | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
<br>You can obtain copies of the records by contacting the clerk of the appropriate probate district. | <br>You can obtain copies of the records by contacting the clerk of the appropriate probate district. | ||
Adoption cases over 99 years old are open to the public. | Adoption cases over 99 years old are open to the public. | ||
== 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 | 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 probate records and the probate process see [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/United_States_Probate_Records United States Probate Records]. | ||
== Major Repositories == | == Major Repositories == | ||