FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Pennsylvania/Tasks-Probate Intro
WikiProject Pennsylvania Progress Chart
Pennsylvania Wiki Project Task - Probate Intro
Description
The purpose of this task is to add the intro template and the ending template to the Probate Records heading.
Instructions
1. Under the Probate Records Heading add the following template:
- {{PA Probate Intro}}<br>
- {{PA Probate Intro}}<br>
2. At the end of the Probate records section (after any databases or FHLC entries that are listed), add the following template:
- {{PA probate FHLC and WorldCat|1|2}}<br>
- {{PA probate FHLC and WorldCat|1|2}}<br>
3. Replace the number "1" in the template with the name of your county between the pipes.
4. Replace the number "2" and add the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) subject number. Find the subject number as follows:
- a. Do a place search of the FHLC for your county.
- b. Select Probate Records from the record groups displayed.
- c. Select any record displayed.
- d. Select the highlighted phrase under the word "Subjects".
- e. Copy the number displayed in the upper right-hand corner in the display box "For". This is the subject number.
- f. Paste this number into the NYLand template where you see the number
- a. Do a place search of the FHLC for your county.
7. Your new finished template should look something like this:
- {{PA probate FHLC and WorldCat|Berks|452254}}<br>
- {{PA probate FHLC and WorldCat|Berks|452254}}<br>
Example of Task
Probate Records
Probate matters in {{{1}}} County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Template:PA probate FHLC and WorldCat
Example of Completed Probate Records Heading
Probate matters in PA Probate Intro 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.
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).