Oklahoma, Maryland, Delaware, Maine

Wills
Maryland - Baltimore City Vol 51-53 (1882-1885) 700 records
Oklahoma - Alfalfa Co Vol 1-3 (1899-1907) 85 records

Naturalizations
Delaware - Sussex Co. Vol 3 Naturalizations (1930-1949) 396 individuals
Maine - Androscoggin co Vol 2 Naturalizations (1909-1912) 101 petitioners

free browsing of lists. Some has image #s to find actual images at FamilySearch

Be among the first to receive of any new additions
Request to join "SAMPUBCO Genealogy" at Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489246197913270/

SAMPUBCO
http://www.sampubco.com

W. David Samuelsen

New York, Ohio, New Mexico, New Jersey wills, guardianships, probate files, naturalization

Since Oct 31, new additions

Will Testators
New York
New York co Vol 148-149 (1862-1864) 217 records

Ohio
Ross Co Vol A-D (1797-1845) 435 records
Vol A-D were re-transcribed by some clerk years ago into a single volume, hence only vol. A for the sake of indexing (there were several wills not indexed in original vol A-D, discovered page by page)

Guardianships of minors
New York
Monroe Vol 2 (1835-1839) 1022 entries (every name)
minors plus the guardians and the deceased if named.

Probate Files
New York
Herkimer co Surnames C (1792-1857) 238 files

Naturalizations
New Mexico
US District Court Albuquerque Declarations of Intent Vol 1-3 (1915-1929) 192 petitioners

New Jersey
Union County Declarations of Intent (1907-1908) 301 petitioners

plus the home page had been revamped to eliminate duplicate listing.

There are many more counties/states listings of indexes. And a new feature added, and I don't want to spoil the surprise right here. You have to see to appreciate.

http://www.sampubco.com

New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia,

New databases added since 14 October 2015

New Hampshire: Belknap Co Vol 1-2 (1907-1920) 150 petitioners

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Surname A Vol A to 225 (1689-1900) 1599 records

Virginia: Dickenson co Vol 1-2 (1880-1937) 111 records - completed

West Virginia: Berkeley co Vol 1-2 (1772-1796) 275 records
West Virginia: Jefferson co Vol 1-3 (1801-1823) 171 records


http://www.sampubco.com

Next of Kin, Heirs and Devisees, What's the Difference?

Some states require lists of heirs and others lists of devisees, still more that don't do it but hidden.

Let's look at two states first.

See the difference? North Carolina shows two sides, one side showing devisor (aka testator) and the devisees (heirs, who get something) and Kentucky shows one side only, just the Devisor and Devisee.

Now let's look at Virginia's



Virginia's Act of 1912, required all estates, regardless of having will or not, list all "next of kin" along with their address plus age and relationship which are not always listed.

Let's look at New York's



Pretty hidden, isn't it? Written in paragraphs. Not every county in New York does this and not every year is covered.

Let's go to Ohio for their version



It shows names of heirs, relationship and address. That's it.

Now, what is the difference between these "Next of Kin", "Heirs" and "Devisees"?

Next of Kin = does not meant they inherit anything, just the names of next of kin who might or not might get anything.

Heirs - named in wills, often relations plus organizations.

Devisees - are not necessary related but get something.

These "Next of Kin" and "heirs" are true bonanza because they often shows where they are, age, relationship. Unfortunately it is not for "Devisees".

Happy Hunting at SAMPUBCO!

Wills Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire and New York

Will records from these counties/states

Illinois - Adams co Vol 3 (1847-1871) 517 records
Kentucky - Adair co Vol A-N (1791-1960) 1276 records
New Hampshire - Belknap Co multi-vol Surname D-Z (1841-1898) 1781 records
New York - Rensselaer co Vol 211, 218 (1903-1905) 591 records

Heirs Named in wills
New York - Jefferson Vol 1 (1848-1851) 597 heirs, ongoing

These are not the only ones to see, there are many more lists of extracted names of testators and more.

http://www.sampubco.com

W. David Samuelsen

Lengthy Will of John Smith "nieces and nephews..." no names 86 pages of gospel preaching

Oh MY!

What have we got here?

a lengthy will by John Smith of Savannah, Chatham county, Georgia

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-30375-10386-70?cc=1999178&wc=9SYB-YWY:267655101,268101301

"nieces and nephews of my brothers and sisters" in Germany

NO NAMES!

86 pages of preaching the gospel.

That is it.

Virginia, Ohio, New York testators

Virginia (not same as current one, predating it.)
On de floating scow ob ole Virginny,
I've worked from day to day,
Raking among de oyster beds,
To me it was but play;
But now I'm old and feeble,
An' my bones are getting sore,
Den carry me back to ole Virginny
To ole Virginny shore.

Ohio
Long, long time ago Someone I know Had a little red canoe, In it room for only two. Love found its start Then in my heart, And like a flower grew.
 

New York
There isn't another like it.
No matter where you go.
And nobody can compare it.
It's win and place and show.
New York is special.
New York is diff'rent' cause there's no place else
on earth quite like New York and that's why


Three new county additions:

New York - Westchester co Vol 76-91 (1875-1881) 824 testators
(the Bronx still has not been created yet or annexed to New York City)
Ohio - Champaign Co Vol C-F (1848-1889) 852 testators
Virginia - Lee co - Vol 1-6 (1793-1930) 653 testators

Recent additions:
Georgia - Catoosa Co Vol 6, 1-2 (weird numbering) (1874-1975) 833 testators
Tennessee - Bedford Vol 1 (1861-1897) 520 testators
Kentucky - Lincoln Vol A-U (1781-1865) 542 testators

http://www.sampubco.com/

Home Page had been adjusted for mobile use (Smartphones and Tablets)

Off Topic - Big Grave Monument of Elvira (Stevens) Barney (1832-1909)

Finally found a digital camera that can do justice. No one else to date have been able to take photo of this large one with all 7 generations of ancestry of Dr. Elvira (Stevens) Barney.

She was wife in order of marriages:
1) 1850, John Stillman Woodbury
2) 1856, Oliver Boardman Huntington
3) 1866, Royal Barney, Jr.

This one is in Salt Lake City Cemetery, near Wilford Woodruff family and George Q. Cannon family lots, in Plat C.

I deliberately set these photos at the maximum possible so you can read the generations. Feel free to forward this blog to anyone else intact.

West side

South side

Add caption

 East Side

North Side

New York and Pennsylvania databases added

Will books (NOT to be confused with original wills which are in Probate Files)

These are transcriptions by the court clerks.

Pennsylvania - Armstrong Vol 1-10 (1805-1918) 721 testators (working on getting N-Z surnames added real asap)



Letters of Administration

New York - Allegany co Vol 4-5 886 (1873-1889) Letters



Minutes

NY - Wyoming co Vol 2-3 (1852-1867) 557 records



Probate files?

The files contains all ORIGINAL records.

Connecticut - New London District Surnames G-H (early to 1880) 172 files

New York - Westchester co (1835-1837) 113 files

New York - Westchester co (1837-1839) 248 files

Oregon - Benton co (1859-1898) 290 files (the set is complete)

Pennsylvania - Washington co Surnames D (1828-1845) 86 Files

And best of all, this blog has new features making it easier to follow - Get your mouse over to right side and click black tag line and choose what you want to do.



This blog now has subscription feature (free subscription). Click on right side black bar.



http://www.sampubco.com



W. David Samuelsen

SAMPUBCO

Don't Diss and Dismiss These Records! Minutes

Those minutes, sometime referred as Miscellaneous Orders and Decrees. They are probate court records of proceedings and decrees.

The minutes contain very rich information particularly about the estates and guardianships but can contain other information.

Let's look at one case in particular to illustrate the importance of not limiting yourself to will books only.

Let's read this will in its entirety.
Jonathan Gilbert, volume 1, Wyoming County, New York will book (court, 10 November 1856).

 

There was a request for a special guardian to be appointed for a minor.  And the contestants are named but no relationship given: Dorcas True, Hannah Howard, Hannah Spellman and Laura Stannard against Sarah Gilbert the executrix.

Ok, so far no relationship at this point of these contestants. Just these heirs are named:

wife Sarah, to get all property with certain exceptions

Lucy M. Carpenter and Edwin M. Carpenter, children of niece Jennet Crawford. Edwin is to get much of the estate. However in event of Edwin's death before he reaches age of 21 years, it is to go to nephew Hiram Gilbert. Stephen True is to be appointed trustee for Edwin in event his wife Sarah dies before Edwin reaches 21 years of age.

Proving the will is the next step. The will is dated 29 December 1854. There was a mention of an earlier will that was destroyed because it was not to Jonathan Gilbert's wishes.

 

Still nothing is said about these 4 contestants' relationships. Guess that is all? Let's look at the minutes because a petition had been made for guardianship. 

What do we find in the record in the minute book?

Hannah Howard and "other contestants" are mentioned, still no relationships... hmm... let's see if there any further record in the minute books?

Huh? Still no mention? Keep going...

Now we find Sarah Gilbert had since remarried to Nathan Davison.

Now to the final settlement, still not much is know about these 4 contestants except for this one. Further starter research yielded two things.  Sarah Gilbert now Davison may have been previous married a few times.  Here's the census...

This will remain a research matter for another time. Confusing family... What is certain - Jonathan Gilbert is son of Jonathan Gilbert and Hannah Converse, and had one son named Noah H. Gilbert. Moses and James Richardson are probably son of Sarah Gilbert from her previous marriage to a Mr. Richardson.

Don't Diss and Dismiss These Records! Guardianships

What is it about the guardianship records many don't bother or afraid to look into?

National Guardianship Association has a good description of what is a guardianship.

http://www.guardianship.org/what_is_guardianship.htm

Now about the probate files  ...

NGA as it is known by the abbreviation describes Guardianship of the Person and Guardianship of the Estate pretty much accurate what are in probate files.

In SAMPUBCO site, the records are indexed and listed under two groups, guardianships and probate files.

Why two groups?  Guardianship records are separated depending on the county where the record originated.  Guardianship group usually contains guardianship letters, accounts, reports. Probate Files has files of "Minor" or "guardian" containing ORIGINAL records.

Now what can you find in these records?

The number UNO is the birthdate of the child! This is very useful when it comes to where there are literally no county or state birth records. Useful since more than 90 percent of them are in the states where there are no government birth records.

Then the relationship is stated more than anything else in the letters. Petitions for guardianship contain more information about family relationships.

Here are eamples:
Example #1
Written out petition (Case 1836-83, Westchester County, New York)

Example #2
Written out petition statement showing relationships and age of the minor (New London District, Connecticut, Case #2367)

Example 3
Petition showing relationship (New London District, Connecticut Case #2476

Example #4
Printed Letter granting guardianship, showing birthdate and relationship (Allegany County New York, Guardianship Letters, volume 4, page 148

Now, what are you missing out (especially those who scream brick walls)? What is worse? The microfilms of these records at Family History Library show appalling little to no research of these records, that is guardianships and probate files. Too new when the rolls are at least 35 years old. AND the SAMPUBCO analytic reports show almost no visitors to check out the index lists of both types.

Until then...

David

Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Oregon and Pennsylvania wills, probate files

Will books (NOT to be confused with original wills which are in Probate Files)
These are transcriptions by the court clerks.
Maryland - Washington co Vol E (1848-1863) 496 testators
New York - New York co Vol 131-147, 985-989 (1852-1863) 1749 testators

Probate files
The files contains all ORIGINAL records.
Connecticut - New London District Surnames G-H (early to 1880) 172 files
New York - Westchester co (1835-1837) 113 files
New York - Westchester co (1837-1839) 248 files
Oregon - Benton co (1859-1898) 290 files (the set is complete)
Pennsylvania - Washington co Surnames D (1828-1845) 86 Files

http://www.sampubco.com

W. David Samuelsen
SAMPUBCO

Notice Letters - 20 Years Later?

Westchester County Estate Records, year 1836, File #60 Isaac Purdy.

The estates are never settled promptly. Some can drag on for years.

Here's the one, letters sent 26 January 1864 per the notice filed herein.

And this illustrate why the probate files should never be dissed and dismissed as irrelevant to family history.

William Short, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Mrs. Lydia Howe, wife of William Howe, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Mrs. Mary Eliza Short, wife of George D. Short, Bondbrook, Connecticut 
George D. Short, Bondbrook, Connecticut
Ellen Perry, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Mrs. Christiana Benedict, wife of Lawrence Benedict, Elizabeth Town, New Jersey
and
Mrs. Anna Jane Hall, wife of James Hall, Windsorville, Connecticut.

All this for the final settlement of the accounts of Gerard Crane, executor of Isaac Purdy.

What is obvious happening - the executor did not finish his assignment of estate of Isaac Purdy! Probably died before he could close the estate.

These named ones probably are relatives of Gerard Crane, rather than Isaac Purdy.

Think carefully about what else is in Gerard's file.

Here's the page...

 http://www.sampubco.com
 

Don't Diss These Records!

Dissing the probate files?

What's with anyone NOT willing to even try to take a peek inside these probate files?

Numbers on SAMPUBCO site don't lie! Too few visitors bothered to see what is available for Probate Files, relying way too much on will books as only solution.

Madison County, New York is a good example

Will books accounted for only 1957 wills recorded by transcription from 1800 to 1876.

Probate Files? Staggering 3495 files. Out of that less than 1957 wills that are ORIGINAL may or may not be found in them.

What else is in the probate files anyway?

Plenty!
All original records:

Letters Testamentary
Letters of Administration
Newspaper notices
guardianship petitions by the minors who are over 14 years old
Names of heirs with their residences
Receipts of debts and payments
Inventories of estates, right down to even the sewing pins. Nothing is spared.
Notices to heirs, some are 20 years later (I will talk about this in another blog.)
And that is not all.

Probate Files are NOT limited to the deceased. No one is spared:
Insane
Incompetent
Spend thrifty (spend like crazy and not know how to manage)
commitments to poor houses
bad boys/bad girls get committed to state reformatory for boys or girls (they do exist!)
Dowers (not exclusively widows, even children can petition)
Minors regardless of whether parents are living or deceased, grandparents are on records filing petitions for custody. List their birthdates or specific ages you can't find anywhere else.


Miscellaneous papers are unique because they contain information not found elsewhere.

Not all states are alike. Oregon, Wisconsin, Texas, and Michigan to my knowledge are maintaining NO will books. They use probate file method. Erie County New York is only one within the state of New York not using will books, they use probate file system.

I can name a few speakers who will tell you same things I just spoke of. They spoke in last 2 years about the importance of the probate files versus will books.

Normally the wills account for around 10 percent of general estates.

Too poor to have anything, I refer you to "poor house", guardianship, etc. No one is left without any trace.

I know of one probate file where it was NOT closed until the last of 4th generation died, 80 years later.

You will see increasing entries for Probate files at http://www.sampubco.com over the next several months.

Maryland, New York, Oregon, wills, probate files

Will Testators:
Maryland - Washington Vol A-D (1777-1848) 1419 testators
New York - Westchester co Vol 70-75 (1873-1875) 444 testators

Probate Files (including many guardianships/minors):
New York - Herkimer co Surnames B (1885-1890) 105 files
New York - Madison co (1874-1876) 235 Files  COMPLETED!
Oregon - Benton co (1873-1896) 205 Files

Not limited to these ones, there are much more databases, showing:
Wills - 437559 testators
Guardianships that are recorded stand alone - 11676
letters testamentary - 1860
Probate files (including guardians/minors) 165729
Naturalizations - 74951 petitioners, 26763 including spouses and children
Miscellaneous Orders and Decrees (including court minutes), 3085
Letters of Administrations, 655

Free access, no required opt in or out, just walk in to see and walk out when done.

Site search is included

Much of the site is already mobile-ready.

http://www.sampubco.com

W. David Samuelsen
SAMPUBCO

New York, Herkimer and Mdaison counties, probate files

New York - Herkimer co Surnames B (1880-1885) 114 Files

New York - Madison co (1874-1876) 235 Files COMPLETED!

Be advised, the site is still in process of being converted to smartphone-ready and tablet-ready.

Wills, Letters of Administration, Letters Testamentary and Naturalizations have been completely converted. Probate Files is in process.

There are several states and many county indexes listed. Free to browse.

http://www.sampubco.com

Kings County, NY - will testators Vol 58-61 (1874-1876) had been uploaded.

Other bits of lists uploaded since April 1
Baltimore City Maryland (not Baltimore County)
Atlantic co, New Jersey
Windsor co - Windsor District Vermont
Rensselaer co New York
Ulster co New York
Westchester co New York
Wyoming co New York

The site is in process of being converted into mobile-ready so it is use-able on all format (desktop, tablets and smartphones)

Fully free browsable lists. Mobile Users, for best result, turn sideways or horizontal or long-way

http://www.sampubco.com/wills/ny/nykings01.htm

W. David Samuelsen
SAMPUBCO

Off Topic: Seen at Rootstech 2015

Got good photos - at Rootstech 2015. Are you in it?

The Big Food Court just beyond the Expo Hall:

Guess Who?

Caption Call?

Will explain more about this one in another blog...

10 Feet Tall Chart, do anyone want one?

Will explain in another blog.

Karen Mauer Jones tried to do it right before she got it.

More to come.

Chesterfield County Virginia will books vol 1-4 testators index had been added to SAMPUBCO

http://www.sampubco.com

New Additions to SAMPUBCO

Will Records Testators:
MA - Berkshire Vol. 15-19 (1810-1815) 150 records
NY - Queens co Vol E-G (1821-1835) 472 records
IA - Adams Co. Vol 1-3 (1854-1925) 648 records
NY - Richmond (Staten Island) (1879-1884, 1964-1965) 860 records
IA - Adair Co Vol 1-4 (1895-1904) 462 records
NC - Craven Co Vol A-C, K (1700-1839, 1937-1949) 1185 records
NY - Orange Co Vol 41-44 (1878-1882) 544 records

Naturalizations:
PA - Pittsburgh Federal District Vol 1-18 (1906-1908) 1402 records
IL - Calhoun vol 1-2 Old Declarations of Intent (1857-1892) 236 records
IL - Calhoun vol 1 (1908-1924) 24 rcords
WI - Dane co Vol 1-2 Declarations (1906-1910) 600 records

And many more on site.

http://www.sampubco.com