Canada, Saskatchewan Probate Estate Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1887 to 1931.

These records include an index and images of probate estate files for Saskatchewan.

There is no central repository for probate records in Saskatchewan. The province is divided into fifteen judicial districts (See Canada Probate Records). Original wills and records of estates are filed with the clerk of the court of the judicial district, from whom certified copies may be obtained.

The fifteen judicial courthouses in Saskatchewan are located at the following places:


 * Assiniboia
 * Battleford
 * Estevan
 * Humboldt
 * Kerrobert
 * Melfort
 * Melville
 * Moose
 * Jaw
 * Prince Albert
 * Regina
 * Saskatoon
 * Swift Current
 * Weyburn
 * Wynyard
 * Yorkton

Current records are available through these courthouses.

Most court records prior to 1931 are under the jurisdiction of the Saskatchewan Archives Board. Probate records before 1930 are usually at provincial archives, with microfilm copies at the appropriate court. You may also send questions to the Registrar of Estates and Wills, Regina Courthouse (see the Saskatchewan Archives and Libraries wiki article for addresses). Court records are filed by court of jurisdiction. They are sequentially numbered for each year and then indexed under the name of the plaintiff and the name of the defendant. More recent probate records are usually only at the court. You may need to contact or visit the archive or court to obtain all of the papers.

Probate records were not created for every person who died. The laws of Prince Edward Island and Quebec required all estates to be probated, whether or not the individual left a will.

In the mid-1600s, notaries in French Canada began keeping inventories and other papers about estates (see Canada Notarial Records). In the late 1700s, the keeping of wills and estate papers began under English law.

In English Canada, probate records were kept by probate or surrogate courts. Often the size of the estate determined which court held jurisdiction. Search the records of all probate courts in all places where the individual had property.

If you want to learn more about Canadian probate records, look at the Canada Probate Records article to find more information.

For a list of records by localities currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

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.

Record Content
These estate records may contain the following information:


 * Death date
 * Names of heirs and guardians
 * Relationships
 * Residences
 * An inventory of the estate
 * Names of witnesses

How to Use the Record
To search this collection, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Approximate year and place of death

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

To search the collection image by image select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page: ⇒Select the appropriate “Judicial District” ⇒Select the appropriate “Year” ⇒Select the appropriate “File Number” which will take you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Tips to Keep in Mind
While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, use them with some caution because:


 * They may omit the names of deceased family members or those who previously received an inheritance.
 * The spouse mentioned in a will may not be the parent of the children mentioned.
 * Relationships noted in the records may not have the same meaning today.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Try searching for the death certificate of your ancestor. That will give you information on where your ancestor died and where the probate court was held.
 * Try looking for a nickname that the ancestor had during their life time.

Related Websites

 * Wills and Estates - Frequently Asked Questions

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada Probate Records
 * Saskatchewan
 * Saskatchewan Probate Records
 * Saskatchewan Archives and Libraries
 * Canada Court Records

Citing Family Search 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
"Saskatchewan, Probate Estate Files, 1889-1931" index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNTJ-VMY : accessed 21 June 2012), Charlotta Erickson, 1929; citing Queens Bench Provincial Court Probate Records, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.