Finding Aid Search

Title

Petitions and affidavits for proof of wills

Series Number

J1041

Summary

This series contains documents relating to the proof of wills in the Supreme Court at Albany. Documents include the executor's petition for proof of the will in Supreme Court; affidavits of witnesses regarding competency of the testator; and notices to next-of-kin. Wills could be proved in the Supreme Court when the decedent resided out of state, when heirs resided in several different counties, or when the will had to be proved immediately because the estate was in danger of loss.

Creator

• New York (State). Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany)

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Record of foreign and out-of-state wills proved

Series Number

J0040

Summary

This series consists of the record of wills proved before the Chancellor of the State Court of Chancery. A law of 1830 required that wills in which the witnesses resided out of state or which were filed with a foreign or out-of-state court or government office be proved in the Court of Chancery. A will would normally have been proved in county surrogate's court during the 1830s and 1840s.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Chancery

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (New York) record of wills proved at New York

Series Number

J2041

Summary

This series consists of microfilm copies of two volumes of recorded wills and probates (summary of proceedings to determine authenticity of will) made from originals held in the New York County Clerk's Office.

Creator

• New York (State). Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Inventories and accounts

Series Number

J0301

Summary

This series consists of property inventories and accounts of administrators and executors for those with and without a will. Inventories include decedent's name, occupation, residence, a list and appraisal of personal and real property (including slaves), and signatures of persons compiling and those appraising the inventory. Accounts contain descendants name, executor/ administrator, outstanding debts and credits.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Probates

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Court of Probates administration bonds

Series Number

J0034

Summary

These volumes contain bonds of persons appointed by the State Court of Probates to administer and settle the estate of a decedent. Each bond states the name of three obligors, the amount and condition of the bond, the names of the administrator and two sureties, and the signatures of the obligors.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Probates

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Record of wills proved at Utica

Series Number

J0020

Summary

This volume contains a record of wills proved in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Utica. Wills were proved in the Supreme Court when there was a need for a speedier proof than that to be had in the Surrogates Courts (for instance, when the testator's property was in danger of loss). Proof of a will means the validation of the testamentary instrument in a court of law, required before the executor can legally proceed to settle the estate.

Creator

• Tri-State Regional Planning Commission

Access Restrictions

Volume is fragile. Use under supervision of archivist.

Title

Court of Probates record of estate inventories

Series Number

J2301

Summary

This series consists of a microfilm copy of one volume of inventories of estates recorded by the clerk of the Court of Probates.

Creator

• New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Record of wills and probates

Series Number

J0043

Summary

This series consists of wills, grants of administration, and (prior to ca. 1710) inventories and accounts of decedent estates. These documents were recorded and maintained by New York Colony's Prerogative Court and then by the State Court of Probates. Many of the wills were made by widows; several executors were women; some wills bequeathed slaves; and Dutch wills sometimes had English translations. Volumes before 1700 also include other records such as governor, council, and criminal proceedings; marriage licenses, and coroner's inquests.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Probates

Access Restrictions

Microfilm is not available for inter-library loan or reproduction for any purpose.

Title

Record of wills proved at Albany

Series Number

J0041

Summary

This volume contains thirty-eight wills proved (determined to be valid) and recorded in the New York State Supreme Court of Judicature at Albany.

Creator

• New York (State). Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany)

Access Restrictions

Volume is fragile. Use under supervision of archivist.

Title

Index to records of wills and probates

Series Number

J2043

Summary

This series consists of a name index to testators in series J0043-92, Record of Wills and Probates from the Prerogative and later Probate Courts, and J1043-92, New York County Surrogate Court Record of Wills and Probates. Information includes last and first names of the testator; year, month, and day the will was proved or recorded and the liber and page reference. Volumes for letters I-L are missing.

Creator

• New York (State). Surrogate's Court (New York County)

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Court of Probates bonds of administrators

Series Number

J1033

Summary

Administrators of estates were required to give bond for the good performance of their duties, including making an inventory of the personal property of deceased, and to render and account to the court. This series consists of bonds relating to estates in New York Province and New York State.

Creator

• New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Court of Probates letters of administration

Series Number

J1032

Summary

After 1686 the royal governor possessed final jurisdiction in probate matters. The provincial secretary or his deputy served as the governor's delegate or "surrogate" and presided over what was called the Prerogative Court. This series consists of letters that were issued by authority of the royal governor in his capacity as judge of Prerogative Court of Probates. Each letter designates an administrator and contains the name and residence of the decedent.

Creator

• New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women

Access Restrictions

This microfilm is not available for duplication or interlibrary loan.

Title

List of wills and other documents delivered by the judge of the Court of Probates to the Surrogate of the City and County of New York

Series Number

J1042

Summary

This series consists of a rough chronological list of wills relating to estates in the First Senatorial District (New York and adjacent counties) that were transferred to the New York County Surrogate's Court when the Court of Probates moved to Albany in 1799. Information include name of testator, residence, and date of will. At the end of the main list are other lists of documents transferred, such as inventories, accounts of administrators, etc.

Creator

• New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Record of wills and probates

Series Number

J1043

Summary

The wills recorded in these volumes were proved (i.e. determined by testimony of witnesses to be authentic) before and admitted to probate by the Surrogate judge for New York County. Each will provides for the disposition of the testator's real and personal property and designates an executor or executrix. The will is accompanied by a record of the proof of will and admission to probate.

Creator

• New York (State). Surrogate's Court (New York County)

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Surrogate Court (New York County) probated wills

Series Number

J1038

Summary

This series consists of probated wills filed and maintained by the clerk of the Surrogate Court (New York County). Each will provides for the disposition of the testator's real and personal property and designates an executor. Wills are signed and witnessed by three persons. The name of the testator and date of the will are noted on the reverse. Records are restricted due to fragility.

Creator

• New York (State). Surrogate's Court (New York County)

Access Restrictions

Restricted due to fragility. Use with supervision of archivist.

Title

New York City Mayor's Court minutes of proceedings in proof of wills

Series Number

J2032

Summary

The Mayor's Court of New York City functioned as the court of common pleas for New York City and County. Between 1786 and 1829 courts of common pleas could prove and record wills transferring real property, and also wills whose witnesses were unable to appear in court to testify. This volume contains minutes of proceedings in proof of wills. Each entry provides the name and address of the decedent in the case title and then summarizes the proceedings.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Estate inventories

Series Number

J1301

Summary

This series consists of microfilm copies of original inventories of estates. These original inventories of estates were filed in New York City but relate to estates in many parts of the province.

Creator

• New York (Colony). Prerogative Court

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Probated wills

Series Number

J0038

Summary

This series consists of wills probated with the provincial secretary, the Prerogative Court, or the State Court of Probates. Some wills include a letter of administration or a property inventory. Wills typically include the dates the will was executed, proved, and probated; names of the testator, witnesses to the will, heirs, and executor; testator's occupation; how the estate was to be divided; and proceedings for how the will was proved.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Probates

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Title

Exemplifications of wills, letters testamentary, and letters of administration

Series Number

J0039

Summary

This volume contains exemplifications, or official transcripts admissible as evidence, of wills, codicils to wills, letters testamentary granted to the executor of a will, and letters of administration granted to the administrator of an estate (in the event there was no will). A few of the wills registered by the Court of Probates were dated during or before the Revolutionary War.

Creator

• New York (State). Court of Probates

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.

Title

Letters of administration

Series Number

J0032

Summary

This series consists of letters of administration of estates of New York residents who died out-of-state, or non-residents who died in the state. Most of the letters are for estates of persons who died intestate (without a will). Microfilm copy covers the period 1778-1797 only.

Creator

• New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.