Australia, New South Wales, Deceased Estate Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index to deceased estate files from the state of New South Wales, covering the period 1880-1923. Availability of records may vary by year and locality.

Researching deceased estates files before 1923 is a complex process, with researchers often having to check up to five different indexes to locate a file. This index simplifies the process by combining all indexes into one searchable database.

New South Wales is one of the states of Australia, located on the eastern coast of the country.

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

Deceased Estate
 * Full name of deceased
 * Locality
 * Date of death
 * Date duty paid
 * Item
 * Reel
 * Remarks
 * ID

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Surname
 * Date of death
 * Death place

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?

 * Make sure to fully transcribe and cite the index entry record for future reference. See below for assistance in citing this collection
 * Continue to search the index to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives. Note that family members often appear on an individual's vital records, such as in the role of witnesses to a marriage

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

 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information to determine which candidate is the correct person. If listed, a personal title may be a clue to property ownership or occupation, either of which might be noted in other records
 * Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names. Remember that it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an abbreviation of their name. Note that some women reverted to their maiden name when their husband died, and therefore could be listed under their maiden name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible candidates which can then be examined for matches
 * Search the records of nearby localities. While it was uncommon for an individual in this period to move more than about 20 miles from their place of birth, smaller relocations were not uncommon

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Australia.
 * Record Finder
 * Australia Research Tips and Strategies

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.


 * Collection Citation: "Australia, New South Wales, Deceased Estate Files, 1880-1923." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 3 February 2017. Citing "Deceased Estate Files 1880-1923". New South Wales Government.