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North Carolina Probate Records: Difference between revisions
North Carolina Probate Records (view source)
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Most probate records in [[North Carolina|North Carolina]] were created on a county level though many were later sent to the North Carolina State Archives. For the colonial period, dozens of North Carolina wills were proved in the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of Canterbury]] in London, England. The contents of probate records vary greatly depending on the prevailing law and the personality of the record keeper. | Most probate records in [[North Carolina|North Carolina]] were created on a county level though many were later sent to the North Carolina State Archives. For the colonial period, dozens of North Carolina wills were proved in the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of Canterbury]] in London, England. The contents of probate records vary greatly depending on the prevailing law and the personality of the record keeper. | ||
Following is a brief accounting of wills in specific time frames. More details are found later in this article. | Following is a brief accounting of wills in specific time frames. More details are found later in this article. | ||
'''Before 1760''' - Most wills were probated by the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the county.<br>'''1760–1868''' - Most wills are in the offices of the clerk of the superior court in the county where the<br> testator legally resided.<br>'''Between 1868 and 1966''' - Wills were proved in the superior court of the county.<br>'''Since 1966''' - All documents relating to probate cases are kept in case files.<br> | '''Before 1760''' - Most wills were probated by the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the county.<br>'''1760–1868''' - Most wills are in the offices of the clerk of the superior court in the county where the<br> testator legally resided.<br>'''Between 1868 and 1966''' - Wills were proved in the superior court of the county.<br>'''Since 1966''' - All documents relating to probate cases are kept in case files.<br> | ||
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Probate records in the state fall into two general categories: wills and estate papers. Most records mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children may be given, as well as married names of daughters. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but a death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate. | Probate records in the state fall into two general categories: wills and estate papers. Most records mention the names of heirs and frequently specify how those heirs are related. Names of children may be given, as well as married names of daughters. Probate records may not give an exact death date, but a death most often occurred within a few months of the date of probate. | ||
A brief history of the settlement and boundary changes of North Carolina and the resultant effects on record keeping can be found on [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_North_Carolina Ancestry]. ($) | A brief history of the settlement and boundary changes of North Carolina and the resultant effects on record keeping can be found on [http://www.ancestry.com/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_North_Carolina Ancestry]. ($) | ||
== State Statutes == | == State Statutes == | ||
Understanding the North Carolina 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. | |||
Additional information about North Carolina state statutes relating to probate matters can be found at law libraries. Online digital versions of state statutes can often be found by conducting a search engine search for the term, "North Carolina statutes." | |||
== Repositories == | == Repositories == | ||
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'''Between 1868 and 1966''' wills were proved in the superior court of the county. The original will was sent to the clerk in each county court house and a copy may have been sent to the state archives. | '''Between 1868 and 1966''' wills were proved in the superior court of the county. The original will was sent to the clerk in each county court house and a copy may have been sent to the state archives. | ||
'''Since 1966''' all documents relating to probate cases are kept in case files. After the estate is settled, the files are microfilmed and indexed by the name of the deceased and the names of the heirs. | '''Since 1966''' all documents relating to probate cases are kept in case files. After the estate is settled, the files are microfilmed and indexed by the name of the deceased and the names of the heirs. | ||
=== Proved in London === | === Proved in London === | ||
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NORTH CAROLINA- PROBATE RECORDS | NORTH CAROLINA- PROBATE RECORDS | ||
NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY]- PROBATE RECORDS | NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY]- PROBATE RECORDS | ||
== Learn More == | == Learn More == | ||