Alabama Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records/Known Issues

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Question 1
Question 1: The records in the waypoint Baldwin &gt; Wills 1878-1909 do not appear to be Wills. Can you clarify this? Answer 1: The book clearly says in Images 5-6 that this is a book of Wills. Images 7-19 are an index of the individuals included in the book. Image 20 and many of the other images are statements of individuals proving they are worth less than $1000 which statements are signed by the individual and the Probate court judge. They are often accompanied by lists of possessions and values of either the deceased or the individual. From images 160-164 it seems that the Alabama laws govern the taxing of inherited items based on the relative wealth of the receiving individual - and that it must be shown that an individual is worth less than $1000 or has some other conditions referred to exempt them from higher levy's or taxes on the goods they are receiving. This book would appear to be the collection of these statements and liens on property in probate. While the book title of Wills might be a bit generous it is what the book was titled and is related to Probate and the work of the Probate judges of Alabama.


 * Go to Alabama Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records article.


 * Go to Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 collection at FamilySearch.org.