Iowa, Jasper County Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of digital images of some probate records from Jasper County for the years 1840 to 1941. Additional records are available on microfilm at the Family History Library and at family history centers. Please check the Family History Library Catalog for details about records on microfilm.

Record Content
Probate records may contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Name of surviving relatives and heirs
 * Death date and place
 * Residence
 * List of possessions to distribute

How to Use the Record
When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, estimated death year, and family relationships.

Search the Collection
To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'Record Type, Volume, and Year Range' category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image 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.

Using the Information

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the location of the probate to find his family in census, church, and land records.
 * Use the county and death date information to obtain a copy of the original death certificate from the county.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. In addition local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military units, counties, parishes, etc.).

General Information about These Records

 * Physical description or format of the original material
 * History of the record
 * Why the record was created
 * Reliability of the information in the record
 * Percentage of the population covered in the record
 * Preservation quality of the record

Related Websites

 * [ http://iagenweb.org/jasper/probate/ Jasper County, Iowa Probate Index]
 * [ http://recordsproject.com/county/iowa/jasper.asp Jasper Public Record Info Online]
 * [ http://www.genealogyinc.com/iowa/jasper-county/ Genealogy Inc – Jasper County, Iowa]
 * [ http://search.ancestry.com/Places/US/Iowa/Default.aspx?category=36&amp;ldf=2 Ancestry.com Iowa Tax, Criminal, Land &amp; Wills]

Related Wiki Articles

 * Jasper County, Iowa Genealogy
 * Iowa Probate Records
 * United States Probate Records
 * Iowa Court Records
 * Iowa Research Tips and Strategies

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. 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. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

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