To search for Probate Records it is necessary to have the name, estimated date and place of death.  It may help to have additional data to assist in a positive identification.

        *  Find records of dates and places for birth and marriage.
        *  Identify family members.
        *  Follow your subject in the census records forward and backward in time.
        *  Determine the location of residence, employment, etc.

Probate records are found in a variety of locations.  However, the most frequent is in county court records.  County court records may be indexed (or not), or may have been filmed or extracted and placed in a book.  The accuracy of the records depends on the individuals reproducing the records.  Consult research books such as "The Handy Book for Genealogists" about the county of interest, the county's practices in handling these records, and possible repositories for such records.

In the Family History Library Catalog:

The goal is to locate media that contain the desired information. 
        *  You may find the actual record.
        *  You may find an extracted record.

There are a number of types of searches.  Two effective searches are:
        *  Key Word Search -- example:  probate records, Lucas, Ohio.
        *  Place Search -- example:  Lucas, Ohio.

One way to perform a Place Search:

        1.  Starting with the smallest governmental unit to the larger unit (County, State).
        2.  Choose the Place Search Result for the location in which you are looking.
        3.  Select the record that fits your search.  You may find film, fiche, or books.  If
             film notes appear in the upper righthand corner, select this option.
        4.  Study the film notes to determine how these films are organized via place, date,
             surname, and/or given name.
        5.  Find the film number, then check to see if it is in the Mesa Regional Family
             History Center.
                *  If it is in the Mesa Regional Family History Center, retrieve it and review
                     it on the film reader.  Go to www.mesarfhc.org, type in the film number in
                     the first category for "search for films and fiche".
                *  If the film is not there, order it in the Copy Room from Salt Lake.  Then
                     retrieve it and review it on the film reader.
        6.  Read over the available records.
                *  Select the most logical listing, considering the date and location you are
                    searching.
                *  Use an index if one is available.        
          
After every search make sure you document your findings and record them on your Research Log. 

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