Germany, Brandenburg, Berlin, Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Record
Deutschland, Preußen, Brandenburg, Testaments- und Nachlaßakten 1796-1853

Record Description
This collection contains Probate records from the Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv in Potsdam, Germany. This collection consists of probated wills which will often provide names of family members and their relationships to the testator. The collection covers the years 1796 to 1853.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection. Example for a Legacy Collection:

Record Content
These probate records generally contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Death date and place
 * Probate date and place
 * Names of heirs (spouse and children)
 * Witnesses
 * List of property or estate inventory
 * Monies exchanged or transacted

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * Name of ancestor
 * Death date
 * Residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Surname Letter and Will Number" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, land ownership or a parish of residence. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

Related Websites

 * Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv

Related Wiki Articles

 * Germany

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-1981,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 28 February, 2012), La Plata &gt; San Ponciano &gt; Matrimonios 1884-1886 &gt; image 71 of 389 images, Artemio Avendano and Clemtina Peralta, 1884; citing Parroquia de San Ponciano en la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Matrimonios. San Ponciano, La Plata.