Norway, Probate Index Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Norway

What is in This Collection?
This collection is a card index to probates for the years 1640-1903. These index cards were created by staff of the regional archives (statsarkiv) in Norway and are typed or handwritten. Not all archives created these index so the collection does not cover all of Norway. For the indexes that do exist, they generally begin with the first volume of probates and go forward, but they do not all end at the same date. For example, the card index for Sør-Gudbrandsdal Sorenskriveri in Oppland County begins with volume 1 in 1682, but ends in 1859. The card index for Bamble Sorenskriver in Telemark County begins in 1695 with volume 2, and ends in 1972 with volume 11.

FamilySearch has indexes for the following counties:
 * Akershus
 * Aust-Agder
 * Buskerud
 * Hedmark
 * Oppland
 * Østfold
 * Rogaland
 * Telemark
 * Vest-Agder
 * Vestfold

The indexes are grouped by county, then by registration district (sorenskriveri). In each district the cards are arranged alphabetically by the name of the farm where the deceased lived, and then chronologically by year. The alphabetical arrangement begins with AA followed by A and ends with Æ and Ø.

Reading These Records
These records are in Norwegian. For help reading these records see the following guides:
 * Norway Language and Languages
 * Norwegian Language Information
 * Norwegian Word List

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Each card contains the following information:
 * Probate district
 * Volume (inclusive dates)
 * Page number
 * Farm name
 * Parish
 * Date of probate
 * Name of the deceased &amp; spouse
 * Name of children/heirs
 * Decision of the court

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the deceased
 * The parish of residence
 * The approximate death or probate date

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 the information to find records to identify the other persons named in the probate

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

 * This index is incomplete. Check the FamilySearch Catalog for available probate records and indexes from where your ancestor lived.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Norway.
 * Norway Guided Research
 * Norway Record Finder
 * 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.