Canada, Manitoba Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection contains images of estate files, application books and indexes. The collection includes records from 1871-1930, although some indexes may cover years up to 1970.

Between 1871 and 1982 wills and probate records were kept only at the Surrogate Registrar’s Office in the courthouse of each judicial district in Manitoba. Since 1982, the following wills and probate records are being transferred to the Provincial Archives:


 * Wills and probate records over 20 years old from courthouses outside the city of Winnipeg.
 * Wills and probate records over 60 years old from the Eastern Judicial District in Winnipeg.

A central alphabetical index, arranged by year, is maintained at the Winnipeg court office. To have the index searched, you must provide the name of the deceased and the date of death. In 1984 all indexes, wills, and probate files for the period 1882 to 1930 began to be microfilmed for use at the Provincial Archives.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Probate records included in this collections include estate files, wills and letters of administration.

These probate records may contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Age at death
 * Date of death
 * Place of death
 * Locality of death
 * Heirs of the estate of the deceased

These application books may contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Residence
 * Occupation (addition)
 * Date of death
 * Name of heir, residence and occupation of the applicant

How to Use the Record
To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:


 * Ancestor's name
 * Approximate place of death

Search this Collection
To search the collection image by image select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page: ⇒Select the appropriate “Judicial District" ⇒Select the appropriate “Record Type” ⇒Select the appropriate “File or Volume Number Range and Year Range” which will take you to the images.

Look at the images one by one 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.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Be sure to write down your ancestor's application number that you have found in the browsable index.
 * The application numbers found in the index images relate to the folder numbers found in the estate files.

Using the Information
When you have found the probate record of your ancestor, the following will help you further your research:


 * Use the age to calculate the approximate birth year
 * Record the names of the family members listed in the document, search for a birth record for each one of the family members.

Information about using the records in this collection are found at the Archives of Manitoba

Related Websites

 * Archives of Manitoba

Related Wiki Articles

 * Canada Probate Records
 * Manitoba Probate Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. 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.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Canada, Manitoba Probate Records, 1871-1930,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/: accessed 22 August, 2012), &gt; Central &gt; Estate files &gt; no 1-172, years 1884-1892 &gt; Image 10 of 2983

A full bibliographic record is available in the Family History Library Catalog