Pennsylvania Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records/Known Issues

Note
NOTE: For a way to determine what digital records are likely to be found within a collection or how to find missing images elsewhere, see Article 56000, Using Film Notes in the Catalog to determine the content of a final waypoint in Historical Records.

Question 1
Question 1 : Can you help me understand the Allegheny Estate Indexes? Answer 1: At first glance the records appear to be out of order, but are not. They are basically organized as follows: In each waypoint there are title slides to identify the surname and given name initials. Then there will be a slide with a table to help explain and locate the names. The first sections in each grouping are the initial lists of names. The second sections in each grouping are where the names with larger entries were moved to – these are the 2000 sections. '''The same pattern is followed with the waypoint for each surname. For example –'''

Estate index 1788-1971 surname F


 * Image 5 is the title slide to identify Given names A-J Image 6 is the Table to locate names Images 7-328 are sections 110-960 Images 330-465 are sections 2000-2061 Image 469 is the title slide to identify given names K-Z Images 471-748 are sections 1010-1860 Images 750-837 are sections 2000-2042

Estate index 1788-1971 surname L, first names A-J


 * Image 5 is the title slide to identify Given names A-E Image 6 is the table to locate names Image 7-197 are sections 110-560 Image 200-277 are sections 2000 – 2033 Image 281 is the Title slide to a new group - Given names F-J Image 285-440 are sections 610-930 Images 445-538 are sections 2034-2078

Question 2
Question 2: There are problems with some of the waypoints in Berks County. Can you help clarify these issues? Answer 2:


 * There appears to be records missing in Berks County between Dehart to Eisenach. There were records filmed out of order at the first of this film for the names John Lewis Barde and Martin Buchter. The waypoint was therefore given the name Estates 1752- 1799 Barde, John Lewis-Eiler, Michael. This caused the waypoint to be listed out of order if you are looking for DeHaven, Edward to Eiler, Michael. Edward DeHaven begins on image 53 in this waypoint.
 * There are incorrect records located in the waypoint Berks &gt; Estates 1850-1915 Raab, George J.-Rapp, Mary Ann. The correct records for this waypoint are not available online at this time. Until this issue is resolved, they can be viewed at the FamilySearch Library or some FamilySearch Centers. Call ahead to check if the film is available at your local center.

Question 3
Question 3: Where can I find the records for Bucks &gt; Orphans' Court records 1853-1856 vol 13? Answer 3: Bucks &gt; Orphans' Court records 1853-1856 vol 13 is not available online or on microfilm.

Question 4
Question 4: Are the records available for Orphan's Court Docket V. A,1824 – 1856 in Clearfield County? Answer 4: The film with these records is shared with other records that are restricted. Because the other items on the film are restricted we can’t display these records electronically either. Film #1463016 may be accessible through various FamilySearch Center near you and viewed there.

Question 5
Question 5: I am trying to locate records that should be in the Luzerne &gt; Continuance docket index 1875-1891 A-Z waypoint. The records there seem to be in error. Can you help me? Answer 5: In Luzerne county, the link listed as the Continuance docket index 1875-1891 A-Z actually goes to the Orphans' Court record index 1778-1874 waypoint, and the link to the Orphans Court record index 1778-1874 is actually linked to the Continuance docket index 1875-1891 A-Z. The records linked have been switched in these two waypoints.

Question 6
Question 6: Are there more than Probate Records in Northampton County? Answer 6: Land Records have been located in the Northampton County waypoint as well as Probate Records. The following waypoints are Land Records:


 * Surveys, v. 25-28
 * Surveys, v. 29-32
 * Surveys, v. 33-37
 * Surveys, v. 38-40
 * Surveys, v. 41-43
 * Surveys, v. 44-47
 * Surveys, v. 48-50
 * Surveys, v. 51-53
 * Surveys, v. 54-56
 * Warrants 1734-1769
 * Warrants 1769-1785
 * Warrants 1785-1786
 * Warrants 1786-1792
 * Warrants 1792-1793
 * Warrants 1793-1879
 * Warrants and surveys, v. 57-58 21701

Question 7
Question 7: If pages are missing in a waypoint, are they available to be viewed somewhere else? Answer 7: These pages are not available; possibly they were lost prior to filming the records.


 * Greene County &gt; Wills 1875-1892 Vol 5-6. Pages 234 and 235
 * York &gt; Wills 1818-1833 vol O-Q is missing Pages 1 through 41 of book P.


 * Go to the Pennsylvania Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records article
 * Go to the Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 collection at FamilySearch.org