Probate Records

What’s in that Record?

The Wills

Ø What you may find in a will

ü The name of the testator

ü The name of the administrator or executor

ü The name of the witnesses to the writing of the will

ü The date the will was written

ü The date the will was probated

ü The testators physical condition at the time the will was written

ü The names of the heirs – wife, children, grandchildren, etc.

ü The name and acreage of real estate owned

ü The names of slaves if any

ü The names of prized stock if any

ü Items included in the personal estate

ü The bequests to the heirs – some include a great amount of detail

ü The condition of relationships – out of favor, highly thought of, etc.

ü Instructions for the lives of the family members of the deceased

ü Manumissions of slaves

ü Ages of family members

ü Ages of slaves

ü Parents of the testator

ü Residence of family members removed

ü Religious Affiliation

ü Pre-deceased children

ü Spouses and children of Pre-deceased children

ü Trade or occupation

ü Codicils or alterations to the will

Note: countless clues to your ancestors can be found in a will