Bermuda Probate Records

Probate records are court records dealing with the distribution of a person’s estate after death. Information recorded may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationship, residence, inventories of the estate (including trade and household goods), and names of witnesses. Any person, regardless of class or wealth, may have left a will or might be mentioned in one.

While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, use them with caution because they may:

• Omit the name of the eldest son who received his inheritance according to law, others who previously received their inheritance, or deceased family members.

• Mention children who are from a spouse’s previous marriage.

• Mention a spouse who is not the parent of the children named.
• Be imprecise about the use of relationship terms or use them differently than we do today. For example, "daughter-in-law" may mean "step-daughter;" "cousin" may be any type of relation.

Online Indexes

An incomplete index of wills is available at Bermudian Genealogy & History here. Includes links to transcriptions of the wills.