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

Supreme Court (New York County) record of wills proved at New York

Series Number

JN540

Summary

The first two volumes in this series contain records of wills proved in the Supreme Court in New York City, 1787-1829. The record of a probate proceeding includes a copy of the will and the proof of the will. The volume for the years 1847-1856 includes wills of individuals residing or dying out of state that were proved in the Supreme Court (New York County), Special Term. In some cases there is written testimony regarding the authenticity and validity of the will.

Creator

• New York (State). Supreme Court (New York County)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

New York State Department of State photocopy of list of records and original wills delivered by Samuel Bayard, Secretary of the Colony, to John Morin Scott, Secretary of State

Series Number

A3280

Summary

This series contains photocopies of documents, the originals of which are in the records of the Colonial Office in the Public Record Office (Series C.O. 5, vol. 175). The documents include a list of record books kept by, and original wills filed with, the Secretary of the Colony of New York during the period of British occupation of New York City and Long Island during the American Revolution.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of State

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

Wills and petitions for probate

Series Number

J1020

Summary

This series contains original wills and documents relating to proof of the wills that were filed in the Utica office of the Supreme Court. Documents relating to proof include the petition for proof of will in Supreme Court; testimony or affidavits of witnesses attesting to the competency of the testator and the authenticity of his signature; notices to next of kin of proof of the will; and appointment of legal guardian for minor heirs.

Creator

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

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

Surrogates' certificates of wills and executors

Series Number

B1618

Summary

This series consists of certificates made by officers of county surrogate's courts certifying the validity and correctness of wills and the conferring of letters testamentary (or letters of administration) granting the powers of executor. Submission of these certificates was apparently required by the State Comptroller's office before deeds could be issued to certain parties, pertinent to inheritance of property on which unpaid taxes were owed. Only certificates for surnames beginning in the letter range P-Z are present.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

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

Partial index to minute books

Series Number

J2130

Summary

This volume is a partial index to General and Special Term Minute Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature in its terms at Albany. Only selected cases are included, and the exact criteria for selection are unknown.

Creator

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

Access Restrictions

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

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

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 State Department of State letters of administration and copies of wills of out-of-state residents

Series Number

B0081

Summary

This series consists of letters of administration, letters testamentary, and wills of out-of-state residents. The letters of administration provide the name and residence of the deceased, persons named as the intestate's administrator, residence, date executed, signature of witness, and filing date. The copies of the wills provide the testator's and executor's name and residence, date of will, place of filing, names of witnesses, and provisions.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of State

Access Restrictions

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

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

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.