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[[Portal:United States Probate|Portal:United States Probate ]]>[[Illinois|Illinois]] | [[Portal:United States Probate|Portal:United States Probate ]]>[[Illinois|Illinois]] | ||
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Probate encompasses all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, whether there is a will (testate) or not (intestate). 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. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but the death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate. Wills usually mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children are given, as well as married names of daughters. | Probate encompasses all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, whether there is a will (testate) or not (intestate). 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. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but the death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate. Wills usually mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children are given, as well as married names of daughters. | ||
While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they have [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations]]. | While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they have [[United States Probate Limitations|limitations]]. | ||
=== Jurisdictions === | === Jurisdictions === | ||
Clerk of County's Commissioners' Court (1819 - 1821)<br>County Probate Court (1821 - 1848)<br>County Probate Court (for counties with 50,000+ population) (1870 - 1964)<br>County Court (1848 - 1964)<br>Circuit Court (1964 - present) | Clerk of County's Commissioners' Court (1819 - 1821)<br>County Probate Court (1821 - 1848)<br>County Probate Court (for counties with 50,000+ population) (1870 - 1964)<br>County Court (1848 - 1964)<br>Circuit Court (1964 - present) | ||
=== State Statutes === | |||
Understanding the Illinois probate laws and how they changed over time can help us learn how the estate was administered, taxed, and distributed and might help to solve difficult genealogical problems. For additional information about Illinois state statutes relating to probate matters, see: <br> | |||
*Jones, William C. ''A Practical Treatise upon the Jurisdiction''''of...Probate Courts of Illinois....''Chicago: T.H. Flood & Co., 1892. | |||
=== Obtaining the Records === | === Obtaining the Records === | ||
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*North, Levi. ''A Treatise on the Practice in Probate Courts in the Probate of Wills and Settlement of Estates...Illinois....'' Chicago: Callaghan & Company, 1875. Available free [http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024669115 online]. | *North, Levi. ''A Treatise on the Practice in Probate Courts in the Probate of Wills and Settlement of Estates...Illinois....'' Chicago: Callaghan & Company, 1875. Available free [http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024669115 online]. | ||
*Rose, Christine.''Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures.'' San Jose, California: CR Publications, 2004. | *Rose, Christine.''Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures.'' San Jose, California: CR Publications, 2004. | ||
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{{Illinois|Illinois}} | <br> {{Illinois|Illinois}} | ||
[[Category:Illinois|Probate]] | [[Category:Illinois|Probate]] | ||