“A to Z Genealogy Tips – Fortnightly Series”

Estate documents reveal relationships, assets, and social status.

Wills, probates, and letters of administration often name children, spouses, and other relatives. These records help link generations and provide insights into property, inheritance, and family dynamics.

In New Zealand, probate records can be searched through Archives New Zealand up to 1988 and some records are also digitised on Familysearch.  On the other hand, Australia does not have a central archive for probate records, they are held by each state, though Familysearch has many digitised records.  Ancestry and Findmypast also have various indexed collections.

Search for a will or probate record to discover hidden family connections.