AGENCY: District Court (Fifth District : Beaver County)

SERIES: 1053
TITLE: Probate record books
DATES: 1897-1997.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date.

DESCRIPTION: Probate record books are a daily record of what documents were filed in court on a particular day. They contain details of the proceedings in estate cases. Personal name change cases may also appear. For deceased persons, the will, appraisals and inventories, and the settlements are recorded. For guardianships the appointment of a guardian and frequently an account of some property are noted. Adoption records give the full order of the adoption, often with statements from both the natural and adoptive parents or a social service agency detailing circumstances of the adoption.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Microfilm master: For records beginning in 1898 through 1966. Retain in State Archives permanently.

Microfilm duplicate: For records beginning in 1898 through 1966. Retain in State Archives permanently.

Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently and then microfilm.

APPRAISAL

Historical

Disposition based on the value of these records in fully documenting probate proceedings in the court as well as the valuable information they contain related to socioeconomic and family data.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

SECONDARY DESIGNATION

Exempt. UCA 78-30-15 (2008). As of 1 July 1999, adoptions become public after 100 years; until then they are sealed and only obtainable through the court. These books include occasional reference to adoptions.

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