Denmark, Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Denmark

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes probate records for the years 1854 to 1926. Probate records are court records that describe the transfer of a person's possessions after death. They were created before birth and death records in some areas, which makes them especially valuable for finding ancestors in early years. Information in the records may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, an inventory of the estate, and names of witnesses. The document was signed by all heirs or their guardians and by the probating authority.

Not every person who died had a probate record. Before 1900, men having property were more likely to have a probate than women. The probate law of 1683 stated that probate was necessary if a parent died and left children under the age of 25. Often an estate was probated even if the children were of age. No probate was held if there was estimated to be insufficient money to pay the expenses of probating the estate.

Probate records for clergy, schoolteachers, and military officers were often kept separate from the regular probate jurisdiction. Church officials would manage the probate for a priest or a schoolteacher, and a commanding officer would manage probate for a military officer.

Although they are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical information, the relationships noted in the records may not always have the same meaning today. For instance, a brother-in-law may be recorded as a brother, because legally that made no difference. For a more comprehensive history of the probate process, record availability, guardianship records, and list of commonly used words, go to the wiki article Denmark Probate Records.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Danish with the exception of Schleswig and parts of northern Jutland where some records may be in German. For help reading the records see Danish Word List and Denmark Language and Languages.

Collection Content
These records may contain the following information: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of death or probate

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

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

Dinamarca, Registros de Inventários (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch) Dinamarca, registros de legalización testamentaria (Registros históricos de FamilySearch)