Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Courthouse Records Online

Wouldn’t you love to find a website indexing courthouse records?  There is one!  It’s not complete, but it’s better than nothing, and new indexes are constantly being added. 

If you find a family member in this index, you may order the copy of the record directly through this site, or note the volume and page number and look it up yourself, either in person, or sometimes through the Family History Library microfilms.

Now, that I’ve whetted your appetite, let me take you there! 

Sampubco.com is  a great tool to tap into courthouse indexes.  Sampubco hosts indexes for Will Testators, Letters Testamentary, Guardianships, Surrogate’s Records/Probate Files, Census, Naturalizations, and Letters of Administration.   Organized by record type, then state, then county, you may search these indexes for free!  Be sure to click on the “More Counties/States” in each section. 

I do need to caution you however:  You know the drill.  Just because you don’t find your family in the index, doesn’t mean they are not there.  Sometimes indexes are incomplete, or the extraction is incorrect.  Also,  whether you find your family in the index or not, you should consult ALL probate records for an area.