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

Record Description
The collection consists of probate estate files of the Addison District located at Administrator Services, Montpelier, Vermont. It covers the years 1845 to 1915.

Record Content
The records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of testator or deceased
 * Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
 * Name of executor, administrator, or guardian
 * Names of witnesses
 * Residence of testator
 * Dates the documents were written and recorded (used to approximate event dates, i.e. a will was usually written near the time of death)
 * Description and value of personal property or land owned by the deceased

How to Use the Record
To begin your search you will need know the name of the deceased and some other identifying information such as death date and place.

Searching the Collection
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the "County and District" ⇒Select the “Name Range” which takes you to the images.

Look at each 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. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example:


 * 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.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * 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.

Related Websites

 * Vermont State Archives Probate Court Records
 * Access Vermont Genealogy

Related Wiki Articles

 * Addison County, Vermont Genealogy
 * Vermont Probate Records

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Image citation: