Best Steps Genealogy | How to Use Immigration Records

Probate Records

Possible Direct Evidence

Possible Indirect Evidence

Estimated date of death – between date of the will and date of probate (usually closer to probate date)
Names of Executors, witnesses, etc. might be a relative
Are other locations mentioned? It may be a prior or family residence.
If a grandchild inherits something, the parent might be deceased or a single mother.
If probate records include a list of items sold or accounts settled, the people involved may be the wife, children, etc.
Negative evidence – i.e., the lack of an heir named. Caution: this can be for multiple reasons. Elder sons and married daughters might be omitted, having already received something.

Research Tips & Where to Find Probate Records

Prior to 1900, estates were probated for about 25% of heads of household, so almost 50% of the population is listed in a will. Wills were more common in rural areas. (From the FS Wiki)
The wife in a will may not be the mother of all the children named.
Terms of relationship weren’t always literal, ex. infant=minor, cousin=nephew or other relation, children may be step-children
If minors were mentioned, the estate may not be settled until after they reached adulthood.
A signature, if original, can help to match the individual with other records
If an heir isn’t mentioned or receives little, check earlier tax & land records for a property transfer.
In an intestate case, the distribution records can be very beneficial – it lists property each person received and possibly their residence. Those people were often heirs or other relatives.

Where to Find Them:

Ancestry Database Catalog: type [name of state] and “probate” or “will” or “estate”
FamilySearch Historical Records: type “probate” in “Find a collection”
FamilySearch Catalog: search on the county level