Germany, Brandenburg, Berlin, Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains Probate records from the Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv in Potsdam, Germany. This collection consists of probated wills which will often provide names of family members and their relationships to the testator. The collection covers the years 1796 to 1853.

Reading These Records
For help reading these German records see the following guides:
 * German Language and Languages
 * German Genealogical Word List
 * Germany Handwriting
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Reading German Handwritten Records

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Probate records may contain the following information:
 * Name of deceased
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Death date and place
 * Probate date and place
 * Names of heirs (spouse and children)
 * Witnesses
 * List of property or estate inventory
 * Monies exchanged or transacted

How Do I Search This Collection?
To search by image: It is helpful to know at least one of the following:
 * 1) Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page
 * 2) Select the "Surname Letter and Will Number" category which takes you to the images.
 * Your ancestor's name
 * Residence
 * Age or birth date
 * Names of family members

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information in the list to what you already know about your ancestor to determine if it is the correct family or person. You may need to compare several persons in the list before you find your ancestor.

What Do I Do Next?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

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

 * Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records in the country
 * 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 such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

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

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either German Civil Registration records or German Church records may be more useful
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
 * Consult the Germany Record Finder to find other records

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

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.

"Deutschland, Preußen, Brandenburg, Testaments- und Nachlaßakten 1796-1853." Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2017. Citing Brandenburgisches Landeshauptarchiv, Potsdam (Brandenburgisches State Archives, Potsdam).
 * Collection Citation:

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