Generally probate records are kept at the county level.

Find the county in The Handybook - 973 D27e (Reference)

Probate records may be found at the state level (possibly the state archives)

Refer to “Court Records, Probate and Wills,” The Handybook

For what years are probate records available______________________________________

Consult the Family History Library Catalog https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog
(many probate records have been microfilmed)

1. Click on Place Search
2. Type name of county in top box (exclude the word county)
3. Type the full name of the state in bottom box (exact spelling is a must)
4. Click on Probate Records
5. Choose probate records for the years to include when your ancestor may have died
6. You may see docket, journal, will record, complete record, bonds, letters, abstracts
7. First try to choose a microfilm of a records created by the county clerk, recorder, etc.
8. Click on the “View Film Notes”
9. Look for an index
10. Obtain the microfilm of the index and scroll to the desired surname
11. Carefully examine the index looking for your ancestor’s surname
12. Record the book, volume or liber number and the page number
13. Using the volume number, find the microfilm number in the FHLC
14. Using the microfilm number, check to see if it is in the Mesa FamilySearch Library
    http://www.mesarfhc.org/search/film.asp
15. If it is not here, order it in the Copy Room
16. Once you have the microfilm of the deed book scroll to the page number you found in the index

You may need to look at microfilm of various types of probate records (see list under No. 4 above)

Read every line of each type of probate record

Keep a readable copy of the record (you may scan it and save it on a flash drive)

Record a proper citation of your source

List positive or negative searches in your research log

Important information you should record

• Who witnessed wills _______________________________________________________
• Who were the executors or administrators _______________________________________
• Who was appointed as guardian_______________________________________________
• Who bought property from estate sales _________________________________________
• Who was assigned to take the inventory _________________________________________
• Who did the land go to ______________________________________________________
• Who were the heirs_________________________________________________________
• Who were the creditors______________________________________________________
• What records should you search now____________________________________________

If probate records for your ancestor’ county have not been microfilmed

• Email or phone the courthouse
• Refer to the Handybook for the name of the repository
• Ask the clerk of the court to search for the name of your ancestor in the index
• Obtain a price for the copies and order the record

Solving the Puzzle

• Research the names of individuals named in estate sales (they may be relatives)
• Watch for names in the final settlement. Heirs may be required to sign for assets received.
• If the courthouse was burned look for newspaper announcements in neighboring counties. You may find evidence of
  the probate in surrounding counties.
• Study all of the documents.
•  Coordinate information from various kinds records (i.e. land records with probate records)
• Indirect evidence may answer your questions.
• If you don’t see a microfilm of the original record refer to compiled records including abstracts
• When you find an abstract use the information to help you locate the original

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