FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Pennsylvania/Tasks-Probate FHLC

WikiProject Pennsylvania Progress Chart Pennsylvania Wiki Project Task - Probate FHLC

Description

The purpose of this task is to add microfilm copies of original probate records found in the FHLC to the county pages.

Instructions

1. To locate probate records in the FHLC, do a place name search in the FHLC by typing in your county. If you need more instructions on how to search the FHLC, go to Family History Library Catalog Place-name Search.

2. Once you have the correct county, look under the topic of Probate Records. Review the entries for any original probate records (wills, administrations, and estate files - wills and administrations are sometimes labeled "Probate Records" in the FHLC). Do not put in book indexes or abstracts.

3. After the 1st template ({{PA Probate Intro}}) and after Online Probate Databases (if there are any), add the following:

'''Original Probate Records on Microfilm'''<br>

4. Add each original record under the new heading you created in #3. This may include wills, administrations, and estate files (wills and administrations are sometimes labeled "Probate Records" in the FHLC). If you find other original probate records that you feel may be helpful, you may add them, but it is not necessary. Please remember the following:

i. Bullet each entry you make.

ii. Put the dates the records cover at the beginning of the entry after the bullet. Then list the title of the collection.

iii. The date should be bolded. Make sure to use the N–dash between the dates and anytime it is used in wiki text. The N–dash is made by holding the alt key and typing 0150.

iv. You can put the index at the end of the entry (see example).

v. Put the sources in chronological order.

vi. Use the FHLC template to list the call number or film number.

Examples:

:*'''1752–1860''' Wills {{FHL|196402|item|disp=FHL film 20722 (first of 8 films)}} - Index included: 1752-1915<br>

:*'''1752-1851''' Administration Letters and Bonds {{FHL|196590|item|disp=FHL film 20812 (first of 8 films}} - Index included: 1752 - 1915 <br>

:*'''1752-1915''' Estate Files {{FHL|536648|item|disp=FHL film 1644017 (first of 337 films}} - Arranged alphabetically by surname<br>

Example

Probate Records

Original Probate Records on Microfilm

1752–1860 Wills FHL film 20722 (first of 8 films) - Index included: 1752-1915
1752-1851 Administration Letters and Bonds FHL film 20812 (first of 8 films - Index included: 1752 - 1915
1752-1915 Estate Files FHL film 1644017 (first of 337 films - Arranged alphabetically by surname

Example of Completed Probate Records Heading

Probate matters in Berks County, Pennsylvania are handled by the Orphans' Court. To obtain original probate records, contact the Orphan's Court in the County Courthouse.

In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates of decedents, incompetents, and minors; appointment and control of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills involving probate matters; inheritance tax appeals and various petitions and motions.

Online Probate Indexes

1626-1836 - New York Wills, 1626-1836 on Ancestry. Taken from Fernow, Berthold, comp. and ed. "Calendar of Wills." New York, NY, USA: 1896. - ($).
1878-1939 - Will Index, Lackawanna County, located on PAGenWeb - also includes deceased's death date

Online Probate Records
Original county-by-county Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 are available free online as digital images at FamilySearch.org. To access these records, click Historical Records below, then click "Browse through 3,197,552 images." Then select the county name, and then the probate records and time of interest. Some indexes are included. Dates vary for each county.

Historical Records - Essex County: Guardianship orders, 1869-1910; Guardianship records, 1847-1902; Letters, 1831-1902; Will and Letter index, 1799-1938; Wills, 1803-1904

Original Probate Records on Microfilm

1752–1860 Wills FHL film 20722 (first of 8 films) - Index included: 1752-1915
1752-1851 Administration Letters and Bonds FHL film 20812 (first of 8 films - Index included: 1752 - 1915
1752-1915 Estate Files FHL film 1644017 (first of 337 films - Arranged alphabetically by surname

Additional Probate Indexes and Abstracts

Additional probate indexes or abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Berks County Pennsylvania probate wills in online catalogs like:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
Family History Library Catalog (For instructions see FHL Catalog Place-name Search).