Iceland Probate Records

Probate Records (Skiptabækur)
Research use: Probate records are good linkage sources, especially helpful where they predate the church records. They can be used to establish birth dates and establish relationships of family members.

Record type: Records of wills and testaments.

Time period: The earliest records date from 1717; most date from the late 1700s to present.

Contents: Names of the deceased, heirs, guardians, ages, relationships, places of residence; inventory, valuation, and division of real estate and property.

Location: At the National Archives from early to 1937; from 1937 to present at local courts. Some records are also found in the National Archives of Denmark. Percentage in Family History Library: 100% up to the 1825 cut-off date. The percentage is 95% up to 1890, 90% up to 1900, and 40% up to 1920. All known records in the National Archive of Denmark have been acquired. Population coverage: 25%.

Reliability: Very good.

Accessibility: Many records are accessible on microfilm through the Family History Library. Records are also accessible through a private researcher or by on-site examination.

Orphans' Court Records (Yfirfjárvadabækur)
Research use: Records give names of parents, ages or dates of birth for orphans.

Record type: Orphan records.

Time period: Most date from the 1848 to present.

Contents: Names of orphans and guardians, names of parents; ages or dates of birth for orphans, residence, relationships.

Location: National Archives, local courts maintain records after about 1935.

Percentage in Family History Library: 95% up to the 1900 cut-off date. The library has only 40% of the records from 1900 to 1916.

Population coverage: 2 to 3%.

Reliability: Very good.

Accessibility: Many records are accessible on microfilm through the Family History Library. Records are also accessible through a private researcher or on-site examination.