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Probate minute books contain a brief description made by the clerk of each matter heard by the court. |
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In the case above, the executor of the estate has been asked to prove the relationship of individuals who claim to be the legal heirs of the deceased, but who are not named in his will. |
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The court here rules that the executor must prove the validity of their claim of relationship and report his findings to the court within sixty days. A separate entry contains the content of the petition to the court of those claiming to be legal heirs and their contesting to its validity. |
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Court minutes, but especially probate minutes, are one of the most important record sources available to genealogists. Since most minute books have not yet been indexed, researchers do not use them. Using court minutes can prove the majority of difficult to prove relationships. |
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The local probate court, sometimes called the county court, probate court, orphan's court, circuitcourt, or chancery court has created probate minute books. |
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Most probate records have remained in the custody of the civil court in which they were created and can be obtained from the court clerk. |
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Genealogists have abstracted and indexed probate records for many locations. Copies of those publications and thousands of microfilmed order books can be found at the LDS Family History Library, its local Family History Centers, and in the genealogy collections of private, local, state, and university libraries throughout the country. |
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Don't overlook or avoid searching probate minute books! They may solve that impossible research problem. |
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