Vermont Probate Records

United States   Vermont    Probate Records

History
Since Vermont first proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1777, probate records have been kept by probate district courts. Unlike Vermont county courts, which have jurisdiction over the entire county, early Vermont probate districts were confined to a specific geographical area within the county. As a result, counties were comprised of multiple probate districts. Initially the number of probate districts per county was set by Vermont legislators at four. When representatives met in general assembly in February 1779 they created three probate districts in Bennington County (Bennington, Manchester, and Rutland), and four in Cumberland County (Guilford, Rockingham, Windsor, and Barnet).

Before long Vermont’s population necessitated the creation of additional counties. In 1781 Cumberland County was abolished and the counties of Windsor, Windham, and Orange were formed. Rutland County was also formed from the northern portion of Bennington County. As a result of the reconfiguration, the number of probate districts per county decreased. Each Vermont county was divided into two probate districts, with the exception of Rutland, which was established with one. Since that time, all Vermont counties have been comprised of either one or two probate districts.

Today, Vermont has 14 counties and 18 probate districts. The four southern counties (Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor) still have two probate courts each.

Vermont probate courts are responsible for wills, inventories, estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, and relinquishments. Adoption cases over 99 years old are open to the public.

Record Synopsis
Probate is the “court procedure by which a will is proved to be valid or invalid” and encompasses “all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, guardianships, etc.” Various types of records are created throughout the probate process. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. These documents are extremely valuable to genealogists and should not be neglected. In many instances, they are the only known source of relevant information such as the decedent’s date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their places of residence. They may also include information about adoption or guardianship of minor children and dependents. For further information about probate records and the probate process see United States Probate Records.

Local

 * Vermont county courthouses. For current address and telephone information for Vermont probate district courts, visit the Vermont Probate Court page at Vermont Judiciary.org

Regional

 * The New England Historic Genealogical Society located in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts has pre-1850 Vermont probate records available on microfilm.

National

 * The Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah has pre-1850 Vermont probate records available on microfilm. For collection details see the Family History Library Catalog. Use the "Place Search" option to search for a specific Vermont county. Then look for topics labeled "Probate Records" or "Guardianship."

Statewide Record Collections

 * "Vermont Probate Files, 1791-1919," database, FamilySearch; (http://familysearch.org), from County Probate Courts in Vermont. Digital images of originals housed in the County Probate Courts in Vermont. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; Contains index and images of probate estate files. Currently only the counties of Chittenden and Essex are available. Additional counties will be added later.

Resources

 * Bartley, Scott Andrew. "A Guide to Genealogical Research in Vermont." New England Ancestors, Summer 2007. (FHL book 974 D25nea v. 8)


 * Bartley, Scott Andrew. "Adoption by Law." [Online Article]. AmericanAncestors.org. http://www.americanancestors.org/adoption-by-law/: 2010. Available only to members of American Ancestors.


 * Bartley, Scott Andrew. "Vermont Probate Records." [Online Article]. AmericanAncestors.org. 11 April 2003. http://www.americanancestors.org/vermont-probate-records/: 2010. Available only to members of American Ancestors.


 * Eichholz, Alice. Collecting Vermont Ancestors. Montpelier, Vermont: New Trails, 1986. (FHL book 974.3 D27e)


 * Melnyk, Marcia D. Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research, 4th ed. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1999; Contains addresses of the Vermont probate district courts. (FHL book 974 D27g)


 * Vermont Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.

Websites

 * http://www.vermontjudiciary.org


 * http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_court_system. Provides an overview of the Vermont court system.