AGENCY: District Court (Fifth District : Washington County)

SERIES: 18215
TITLE: Probate record books
DATES: 1897-1991.
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

Paper: Retain in Office permanently or until microfilmed.

Microfilm master: For records beginning in 1877 through 1981. Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

Microfilm duplicate: For records beginning in 1877 through 1981. Retain in Office permanently.

Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.

APPRAISAL

Historical Legal

Probate case documents contain much socioeconomic as well as family information.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

SECONDARY DESIGNATION

Exempt. Adoption records are sealed for 100 years.

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