I sent to several lists regarding unrecorded wills and received many
positive e-mails. One suggested that I should have included the importance
of deed records in the settlement of the estate. I won't minimize the
importance of this source, but responded that that would be "Lesson 2". Ha.
Ha.
One question that I received from this list was " What kind of things can
one reasonably expect to find in this packet? Do most county offices call it
this, or is there a sysonym(s)?"
They are generally referred to as estate packets, but sometimes called
estate files. They are actually rather small expandable packets open at the
top, about 4" X 8" and kept in drawers about the same size and about
12-15"
deep. Sometimes they have very little in them, but for various reasons may
require more than one packet, so be on the lookout. The brother of my gr.
gr. grandmother, Luamy Clarkson Jaques, of Boone Co, was a newspaperman of
considerable wealth, which made for an extensive file. To add to this, the
estate was not to be settled until after the death of his wife which was some
12 years later. Several packets!! I can tell you some of the things I have
found in various packets, but the content varies from packet to packet.
There should be a will and an appraisal of the personal property (usually a
list of items and appraised value), sometimes a sale bill (items sold at
auction, price paid and purchaser's names), accounting by the
executor/executrix or administrator of expenses incurred against the estate
which are too numerous to list, but for example, for the coffin, the
tombstone, the cryer (he went around the town informing everyone about the
death), the doctor, pharmacist, taxes, money paid the heirs (sometimes their
receipts that they received their share which would include their signature)
... guardianship papers, list of heirs of deceased children, etc... The
list goes on. Perhaps others can comment on some very informative item/s of
interest that they have found in an estate packet.
Thanks to all who responded to "Lesson 1"
Lou in Indiana