Probate records, 1850-1941; probate docket index, 1850-1988

Notes

In using the estate-administrations docket one must realize that the "book recorded" column on each page contains several different volume designations and several series has similar volume numbers. To differentiate the volumes use the "Orders of Court" column following each volume and page reference for a clue (i.e. when a bond is mentioned refer to the Probate Bond Record, if wills are mentioned refer to the Will Record book, etc.).

Early volumes of probate minutes (A-M) are indexed only in each separate volume. Volumes N-X contain inclusive indexes as well as being indexed by the Index to Probate Docket. Probate minutes (Y-33) are only indexed by the separate indexing of the dockets.

To avoid confusion with the guardian packets the following may be of some help: This series is a compilation of several series, the first series from 1850-1855 was originally arranged alphabetically. In 1855 these packets were arranged chronologically and then numbered. These numbers were not used anywhere else but on the packets. As the jackets of the packets were damaged or lost the numbering was lost. Many of these packets now compose the alphabetically arranged guardianship packets. The second series starts in 1855 on the next number after the first series numbering and continues through no. 327 in 1850. The third series was started in 1870 when the Probate Court was transfered to the District Court. The numbering started over with no. 1 and continued forward to no. 987 in 1895. The first two series were then interwoven into the numbering of the third series. In 1895 the probate packets were split into two separate collections, one for guardianship and one for estate-administrations. This means that packets no. 1-987 in either new series have many gaps in the numbering order, this is caused by packets being removed to create the other series. However, from no. 988 forward each series is separately numbered. For a complete guide to access these probate packets see "INDEX TO PROBATE PACKETS".

Includes probate records, inventories, dockets, administration records, guardian records, estate records, probate application records, bond records, etc.

Microfilm of original records in the Ellis County courthouse in Waxahachie, Texas.

View a digital version of Texas, Probate records.

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