Vermont, Orange County, Bradford and Randolph Districts, Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection for Orange County, Bradford District contains images of probate estate files from the Supreme Court of Vermont. The files are located at the Division of Public Records in Montpelier. The collection is divided into multiple parts, 1780-1800, 1800-1847, 1800-1810 and 1820-1830.

To Browse This Collection
The collection for Orange County, Randoph District contains images of probate estate files located at the Division of Public Records in Middlesex. Each estate file consists of multiple images.The files are arranged by folder number then name. Folders 1-8 cover 1790-1890, folders 9-30 cover 1800-1840, etc.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Probate
 * Name of testator or deceased
 * Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
 * Name of executor, administrator, or guardian
 * Names of witnesses
 * Residence of testator
 * Dates the documents were written and recorded (These are used to approximate event dates, i.e. a will was usually written near the time of death.)
 * Description and value of personal property or land owned by the deceased

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:
 * The place of residence
 * The approximate death or probate date
 * The name of the deceased

View the Images
Vermont, Orange County, Bradford District Estate Files, 1780-1915

View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select County and District
 * 2) Select Box Number, Name Range and Year Range to view the images.

Vermont, Orange County, Randolph District Probate Records, 1790-1935

View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select County
 * 2) Select District
 * 3) Select Folder Number, Name Range, Date Range to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use probate records to identify heirs and relatives
 * Use the document (such as the will) or the recording dates to approximate a death date
 * Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records since the probates exist for an earlier time period
 * You may be able to use the probate record to learn about land transactions
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records
 * Use the occupations listed to find other types of records such as employment or military records
 * Probate records may provide information about adoptions or guardianship of any minor children and dependents
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have died in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. Keep in mind that wills are more likely to be found in rural communities than in larger cities and industrial areas

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the surnames
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Vermont.
 * Beginning Research in United States Probate Records
 * Vermont Guided Research
 * Vermont Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.