ChicagoCookGenealogy

GENEALOGY LOOK-UPS

WILLS AND PROBATE

 

Wills and Probate indexes begin after the Chicago Fire, about October 10, 1871. The indexes are at the Circuit Court Archive in downtown Chicago, but the actual files are stored at an off-site warehouse.

  A person can die either testate(with a will), or intestate (no will). If a person died testate and probate was also needed, the will would be drawn into the probate file. For that reason I always index probate first. If probate is not indexed, I then index for a will.

Even if a person owned property, probate may not have been necessary. One example is joint survivorship; the house then goes to the surviving owner, many times without probate.

Large assets are a good trigger of probate necessity; the problem is there is no table of what amount was needed to force a probate in any given year. Creditors could also force a probate. I saw one from 1897 for as little as $400 in a tax lien. I had no idea that probate would be involved, but the file was gold for my family history.

The wills ledger index 1871-1915 is falling apart, and I'm sure there are pages missing. The probate index 1871-1908 is intact. The other indexes vary, with some being handwritten and some being typed.

The index fee of $7 is a search fee, payable whether or not found on index.  When the file is received I will review it to make sure this is the correct person and to sort out duplicates. My fee will be $10. This archive currently charges $2 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional page. There is no way of judging how many pages are in a file until I see and review it. I do sift through duplicates, and utilize two sided copies where possible, to save you money. These files are large, and necessitate being mailed in a form that I can trace. I now utilize USPS Priority Mail with confirm to ensure that I can track your order. This fee is currently $5.45. The average total fee is $35-$45.

In a probate file there can be a lot of pages that most people aren't interested in. On the other hand, there are pages that provide information that is genealogically significant. I now copy:

Will

Proof of Will

Heirship

Proof of Heirship

Letters Testimentary

Final Accounting

Funeral Bill (if in file)

If you want the entire file copied, please let me know BEFORE I make my return trip.

If you want to order this indexing, please CLICK THIS LINK

http://chicagocookgenealogy.googlepages.com/willsprobateindexrequest

   

Thank You, 

June

ChicagoCookGenealogy