Genealogy Chat

I've just been looking at probate records and I've found my grandfather's record. My uncle is mentioned but I don't reallly understand what the record is telling me. Was my grandfather's effects left to my uncle or was he the executor of the will. Thank you in advance.

Sue

Sue, as I understand it your uncle would have been the executor and you would have to purchase the will to see who the beneficiaries were. I need to do so myself for my gt gt grandmother.

edit but the bare details were useful as the executor was her daughter from first marriage, under married name which led me to another relative.

That's what I thought Rose. My uncle was one of 4 people and as he lived with my aunt (his daughter) I'm thinking that he wouldn't have left what he had to his son and not the others. The will would make an interesting read :-) Thanks, Rose.

Sue

Sue, there's a live question and answer session on (OOPS edit !! Ancestry's FB page now...I just asked if there were any gaps in records, which there aren't apparently so a couple of my relatives who I thought would have made wills obviously didn't.

RamblingRose - do not forget that in some cases probate is not granted for years.

We are lucky when we find a probate record that is within a year or so of the death. But some did drag on for years.

Thanks PigletsPal, it was in the 1940s but I have checked right up to the 1960s. I've noticed a few where it has taken several years though .

In the probate record if there was a will and one of the executors applied for probate it will say probate was granted.

If the intended executor was not available it will say administration with a will was granted.

If it says administration was granted then there is no will and if you send off for the probate you will only get letters of administration which may not tell you more than you have already seen in the probate record.

Sorry I'm late getting back - I live in Australia.

Thanks for the information - I appreciate your time.