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If the estate debts were greater than the assets, auctions were held to sell off items to raise money to pay the debts. | If the estate debts were greater than the assets, auctions were held to sell off items to raise money to pay the debts. | ||
===Points to remember when using probate records as a research source=== | === Points to remember when using probate records as a research source === | ||
*A probate action generally took place at the next quarterly court session held after the death, though sealing and inventorying of the estate normally took place within thirty days. | *A probate action generally took place at the next quarterly court session held after the death, though sealing and inventorying of the estate normally took place within thirty days. | ||
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**The surviving spouse received half of the estate after the debts were discharged. | **The surviving spouse received half of the estate after the debts were discharged. | ||
**Males received twice as much as females (changed in the 1800s). | **Males received twice as much as females (changed in the 1800s). | ||
**The eldest son received twice as much as the other sons in earlier times. | **The eldest son received twice as much as the other sons in earlier times. | ||
*A "life probate" in which parents could give their ownership or rights to property and possessions to their children or others, in return for care the rest of their natural lives, could be activated and recorded previous to death. | *A "life probate" in which parents could give their ownership or rights to property and possessions to their children or others, in return for care the rest of their natural lives, could be activated and recorded previous to death. | ||
*Probate records can be the key to solving tough problems and extending and verifying pedigrees. | *Probate records can be the key to solving tough problems and extending and verifying pedigrees. | ||
In Scandinavian probates, the names of the heirs could be listed both in the preamble, before the inventory begins, and again after the inventory in the section where it lists who receives what. Be sure to read both sections. It has been found the name of an heir may be listed in one and not in the other. | In Scandinavian probates, the names of the heirs could be listed both in the preamble, before the inventory begins, and again after the inventory in the section where it lists who receives what. Be sure to read both sections. It has been found the name of an heir may be listed in one and not in the other. | ||
The signatures at the end of the probate may be the actual signature of your deceased ancestor's wife, oldest son, daughter, etc. Or, you may find their mark in the middle of a signature, such as "Maren MSD Sørensdatter." The name would be written out by the minister and the "MSD" (Maren Sørens Datter) could be the mark made by your actual ancestor. | |||
[[Category:Scandinavia]] | [[Category:Scandinavia]] | ||