Canada, Saskatchewan Probate Estate Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes probate records from 1887 to 1931. These records include an index and images of probate estate files for Saskatchewan. The estate records contain loose papers relating to the settlement of estates including guardianship records as well as distribution of funds, land and property. 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:

Locality
 * 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 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. Probate and estate files are especially useful when trying to prove a relationship between two or more individuals. To ensure that the property went to the correct person, relationships (such as 'son,' 'aunt,' or 'sister-in-law') were often named in detail. This is ideal for a genealogist who needs proof to move on to the next generation in a family or needs help fleshing out a complete family group. In cases where birth, marriage, and death records began too late, probate and estate records may be completely necessary to prove family connections. If you want to learn more about Canadian probate records, look at the Canada Probate Records article to find more information.

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

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

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Judicial District
 * 2) Select Year
 * 3) Select File Number to view the images.

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?

 * Cite the record. See below for help citing this collection
 * Look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index. To find a copy of the original record, visit the Queen's Bench Provincial Court, Regina page


 * Use the information you have found to find the person in census records

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

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This can help you find possible relatives
 * Search the records of nearby areas
 * Check for other names. An individual might appear under an unexpected name for a variety of reasons:
 * They might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name
 * A woman may have returned to her maiden name after the death of her husband

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

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: "Saskatchewan Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing Surrogate Court. Queen's Bench Provincial Court, Regina.