Denmark, Probate Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records

Denmark

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index to probates for the counties of Denmark. This index is not complete for all counties. Images are available, but are not currently linked to the indexed records. This index was created by volunteers at the Family History Library who extracted the data from microfilm onto an index card. These cards were then microfilmed and years later were scanned and the index data transcribed by a volunteer workforce.

Some completed cards were not microfilmed. These were transcribed by another group of volunteers using the Family History Department's Universal Data Entry (UDE) software so no images were available. Several years later the National Archives of Denmark gave FamilySearch permission to display images from the films they had acquired. As there were no images of the index cards available the decision was made to link the index to the original probate record rather than the index card.

As of the data of initial publication (June 2016) the only publication has been has been of the index cards that were not filmed. The current browse lists only the number of the scanned microfilm and contains no information to allow a browse with any meaningful information.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Danish. For help reading these records see the following:


 * Denmark Handwriting
 * Danish Genealogical Word List
 * Denmark Language and Languages

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Probate indexes may include the following information:


 * Full name of deceased
 * Name of estate
 * Name of parish
 * Spouse's given name
 * Spouse's surname
 * Last residence of deceased
 * Date of probate record
 * Names of children/cousins/various family members.

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * Name of deceased
 * Identifying information such as residence and death date

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use a probate record to identify guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use a will to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
 * Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records for earlier years
 * Use the information to locate census, christening, marriage and land records

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, Now What?

 * Consult the Denmark Record Finder to find other records
 * Even though these indexes are accurate the information may not exactly match what you have owing to changes in spellings and scribal error
 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * 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
 * Search the original probate records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Denmark.
 * Denmark Guided Research
 * Denmark Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

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.


 * Collection Citation: "Denmark, Probate Indexes, 1674-1851." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 30 September 2016. Citing Landsarkivet for Nørrejylland, Viborg (Provincial Archives of Northern Jutland, Viborg).