Vermont, Addison County and District Probate Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of probate estate files of the Addison District located at Administrator Services, Montpelier, Vermont. It covers the years 1845 to 1915.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search you will need know:
 * The name of the deceased
 * Other identifying information such as death date and place

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use probate records to identify heirs and relatives
 * Use the document (such as the will) or the recording dates to approximate a death date
 * Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records since the probates exist for an earlier time period
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records
 * Use the occupations listed to find other types of records such as employment or military records
 * Probate records may contain information about adoptions or guardianship of any minor children and dependents
 * The files may give information about land transactions
 * You may want to compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have died in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. Keep in mind that wills are more likely to be found in rural communities than in larger cities and industrial areas

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Vermont.
 * Beginning Research in United States Probate Records
 * Vermont Guided Research
 * Vermont Record Finder
 * Vermont Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Vermont Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Addison District. General alphabetical card index to case files, 1852-January 11, 1959
 * Addison District. Probate Files, 1845-1915
 * Addison District. Probate Records, 1824-1916
 * New Haven District. General alphabetical card index to case files, ca. 1824-1959
 * New Haven District. Probate Records, 1824-1857
 * Vermont Genealogy St. Albans, Vermont : Genealogical Society of Vermont, c1996- FS Library 974.3 D25v

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Vermont Probate Files, 1800-1921

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * edited by H.P. Smith. History of Addison County, Vermont : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Syracuse, New York : D. Mason & Company, 1886

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.