Greene County Records

A Guide to the Records of the Probate Court

Greene County Archives' Bulletin Number 1, 2nd Edition September 1988


APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION AND BOND RECORD: SURVIVING PARTNERS. 1886 - 1897. 1 Vol. Book number 2.

Pages 1 - 11 record Letters of Administration and Bonds of Surviving Partners, 1886 - 1896. After one partner in a firm died the surviving partner acted as an administrator to close "the affairs of the late co-partnership…"In some cases a Letter of Administration is a part of the document, in others the bond is the only document. The Letter of Administration gives the name of the deceased, the partner (administrator), date, and signatures of the judge and/or clerk. The bond gives the names of the administrator (the principal), the securities, and the amount of the bond. Pages 213 - 242 record Letters of Administration, De Bonis Non; 1836 - 1897. This document was issued by Probate Court to a successor after the first administrator could not carry out his or her duties. An administrator's bond and an oath are also a part of the document. Gives the names of the deceased; the first administrator; the successor (also the principal); the securities; the date of death; a list of heirs; and signatures of the clerk, judge, principal, and securities.
Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

RECORD OF APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY OR OF ADMINISTRATION. 1916 - 1955. 9 Vols. Book numbers 3 - 11.

Gives date of death; names and residences of the heirs-at-law, legatees, and devisees; their relationship to the deceased; and the value of the estate.
Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: RECORD OF APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED.1928 - 1955.
Book Numbers 12 (pages 401 - 596) and 16.RECORD OF APPLICATION FOR LETTERS TESTAMENTARY.1928 - 1955. Book numbers 12 15.

APPRAISEMENT

APPRAISEMENT OF ESTATES.1885 - 1899. 2 vols. Book numbers 17 - 18.

Gives names of appraisers, list of items in the estate, the appraised value of each item, the total value of the estate, and a certificate from the appraisers stating that every item in the estate was appraised.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: APPRAISEMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.1902 - 1910.Book number 19. APPRAISEMENT RECORD. 1838 - 1928. Book numbers 20 - 24. RECORD OF GUARDIANSHIP APPRAISEMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.1901 - 1917. Book number 25.)

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INVENTORY AND APPRAISEMENT RECORD.1837 - 1970. 55 vols. Book numbers 222 - 276.

Gives name of either the administrator, executor, guardian, or curator; and a description, plus the value of both the real and personal property in the estate. Also includes a certificate from witnesses and an affidavit from the administrator stating that every item in the estate was appraised.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

APPRENTICESHIP RECORDS

APPRENTICESHIP RECORDS AND DOWER REPORTS.1868 - 1878. 1 vol. Book number 26.

Gives names of apprentice and master, terms of the contract for both parties, and parents of the apprentices are named or described as to the reason they gave up custody of child. Pages 230 - 254.

Arranged chronologically.

BLIND PERSON'S PENSION

APPLICATION FOR BLIND PENSION RECORD. 1921 - 1933. 3 vols. Book numbers 27 - 29.

Probate Court was given responsibility by a state law for the administration of a pension to persons who were blind. Contains a questionnaire covering residence, history of blindness, and income of the applicant. Gives names of witnesses and a description of the applicant's blindness.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

BONDS

BOND RECORD. 1871 - 1896. 1 vol. Book number 32.

Gives name of administrator, principal, securities, and the amount of the bond.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: ADMINISTRATOR'S BOND.1882 - 1895, 1907 - 1915. Book numbers 30 - 31. BONDS AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED.1951 - 1971. Book number 33. CURATOR'S BOND.1834 - 1864. Book number 34. EXECUTOR'S BOND. 1906 - 1951.Book number 35. EXECUTOR'S BOND AND LETTERS OF EXECUTION AND TESTAMENTARY.1883 - 1962. Book numbers 36 - 42. GUARDIAN'S AND CURATOR'S BONDS.1895 - 1912, 1929 - 1956.Book numbers 43 - 45. GUARDIAN'S BONDS. 1860 - 1894, 1912 - 1929. Book numbers 46 - 48. RECORD OF BONDS AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION.1895 - 1907, 1915 - 1971. Book numbers 49 -59. RECORD OF BONDS AND LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP.1956 - 1972. Book numbers 60 - 63. RECORD OF BONDS AND LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY.1962 - 1971. Book numbers 64 - 66.)

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DEMANDS

ABSTRACT OF DEMANDS.1856 - 1971. 10 vols. Book numbers 68 - 77.

Abstract of claims and demands allowed against the estates of deceased. Gives name and number of estate, name of claimant, date allowed, class, and amount. Later volumes give the name of the administrator, executor, or guardian of the estate.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: DEMAND REGISTER. 1906, 1930 -1938.Book numbers 78 - 79.)

DOCKETS

ADMINISTRATOR'S DOCKET. 1872 - 1879. 1 vol. Book number 81.

Gives name of administrator, date of letter, amount of inventory, amount of appraisement, amount of sale bill, date of settlement, and minutes.

Arranged chronologically. (Title varies: CURATOR'S DOCKET. 1869 - 1897.Book number 93. PROBATE DOCKET. 1862 - 1875. Book number 95. PROBATE GENERAL DOCKET.1882 -1903. Book number 96. PROBATE TERM DOCKET. 1864 - 1866.Book number 97.)

TERM DOCKETS.1860 - 1876, 1890 - 1906, 1940 - 1957. 11 vols. Book numbers 98 - 102, 109 - 114.

Gives name and address of administrator, last order of court, date of last settlement, and remarks.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. Book numbers 99 & 100. (Title varies. CLERK DOCKET. 1906 - 1940. Book numbers 82 - 92. TERM DOCKETS: EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS.1902 - 1954. Book numbers 103 - 108.

EMBALMER'S LICENSES

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES AND EMBALMER'S LICENSES. 1895 - 1949. 1 vol. Book number 67.

Pages 2 - 94 record embalmer's licenses issued to Greene County residents by the State Board of Embalming. The board was established by an act of the state legislature in 1895 in order "to regulate the practice of Embalming." An applicant was granted a license "to practice the Science of Embalming ." after "having passed a satisfactory examination by the State Board."

Gives name of person who received the license, town of residence, date of license, number of license, and signatures of the members of the State Board. Each document also contains either a notation of date the license was filed with Probate Court and the judge's signature or a certificate from the clerk of Probate Court stating that the license was "duly registered in the office of Probate Court .

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FEES

PROBATE FEE BOOKS.1888 - 1942. 15 vols. Book numbers 144 - 158.

Fees charged by Probate Court for each proceeding concerning an estate.

Arranged chronologically.(Title varies: FEE BILLS. 1923 - 1931. Book numbers 115 - 131.FEE BOOK: COMMON PLEAS COURT. 1869 - 1870, 1919 - 1927. Book numbers132 - 133. FEE FUND. 1888 - 1894. Book number 134. WITNESS FEE BOOK. 1871 - 1888. Book numbers 159 -160.

OFFICER'S FEE BOOK.1888 - 1968. 9 vols. Book numbers 135 - 143.

Accounts of fees paid to newspapers and the sheriff for services associated with probating a will. Gives name of administrator, nature of service, amount, date paid, and to whom it was paid.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. Book numbers 135 - 139.

INDEXES

INDEX TO FILES OF CLOSED ESTATES.1 vol. Book number 161.

Gives case number for the estate, the box identification letter and number in which the files are stored.

Arranged alphabetically.

INDEX TO PAPERS FILED.1 vol. Book number 162.

Gives the identification letter and number of the box in which papers are filed.

Arranged alphabetically.

INDEX TO PROBATE COURT RECORDS.1883 - 1890. 1 vol. Book number 183.

Index to records of all proceedings involved in probating a will: certification, recorded bonds, letters, inventory, notices, settlements, demands, publication, personal property, orders, allowances, and miscellaneous orders. Gives book letter and page number to the PROBATE COURT RECORD BOOKS and other series of record books from Probate Court. Also gives the name of either the administrator, executor, guardian, or curator.

Arranged alphabetically.

INDEX TO PROBATE COURT RECORD BOOKS.1836 - 1970. 11 vols. Book numbers 163 - 173.

A listing of all proceedings concerning an estate, with the volume and page for each record in the PROBATE COURT RECORD BOOKS. Each volume contains an index of names of the estates listed in that volume.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

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INHERITANCE

DIRECT INHERITANCE TAX RECORD. 1917 - 1936. 1 vol. Book number 185.

Gives deceased's residence; date and place of death; status as testate or intestate; name and address of either the administrator, executor, or trustee, and the date of letters. Information about the estate includes the appraised value of real and personal property, amount of lawful deductions, name and address of appraiser, date of appraiser's appointment, and the date the report was filed. Information on beneficiaries includes name of each heir, address, relationship to deceased, value of real estate inherited, value of personal property inherited, and the total value of the inheritance. Tax information includes the amount of legal exemption, value of inheritance to be taxed, taxation rate, and amount of tax owed.

Arranged alphabetically.

DOWER REPORTS AND APPRENTICESHIP RECORDS. 1861 - 1880. 1 vol. Book number 26.

Recorded on pages 3 - 15 are the reports on the portion of the deceased's estate that goes to his widow. Gives names of deceased and widow, date filed with Probate Court and approved, and a legal description of real estate.

Arranged chronologically.

INHERITANCE RECORD: NO TAX DUE. 1930 - 1937, 1940 - 1970. 9 vols. Book numbers 186 - 194.

Gives date of death, value of real estate, value of personal property, and total value. Heirs are named or listed according to their relationship to the deceased. Also gives the amount of the probate fee and the name of the administrator.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. Book numbers 186 - 191.

INHERITANCE RECORDS: TAX DUE. 1930, 1934 - 1970. 6 vols. Book numbers 195 - 200.

Gives name of heir, relationship to deceased, value of each inheritance, legal exemption from tax, dollar amount of inheritance to be taxed, rate of taxation, and amount of tax. Also tells the value of the full estate, total amount of tax, amount of tax due to the State of Missouri, amount of tax due Probate Court, appraiser's fee, and name of Probate Court judge.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed numbers 195 & 196. (Title varies: COLLATERAL INHERITANCE TAX. 1901 - 1918. Book numbers 184 - 184A)

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RECORD OF DESCENDENTS. 1900 - 1904. 1 vol. Book number 80.

Gives date and place of death, date of letters, value of estate, names of heirs, their residence and relationship to deceased, name of legatees and devisees, their residence, value of inheritance, amount of tax on inheritance, and name of the administrator.

Arranged alphabetically.

REGISTER COLLATERAL INHERITANCE TAX.1913 - 1917. 1 vol. Book number 201.

Gives date and place of death, date of letters, estimated value of the estate, value of inventoried personal property, and the appraised value of the estate. Information on the heirs, legatees, and devisees include name and residence, and the heirs relationship to the deceased. Information on each inheritance includes a total value, estimated or appraised value for real and personal property, and the amount of tax for each inheritance.

Arranged alphabetically.

INVENTORY

GUARDIAN'S AND CURATOR'S INVENTORY AND AFFIDAVIT. 1887 - 1968. 6 vols. Book numbers 202 - 207.

Inventory of a minor's or an insane ward's estate. Gives name of ward, guardian, or curator; a description of the real estate; a list of personal property; and an affidavit from guardian or curator stating that all items in the estate were inventoried.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

INVENTORY AND APPRAISEMENT RECORD. 1837 - 1970. 55 vols. Book numbers 222 - 276.

Gives name of either the administrator, executor, guardian, or curator; and a description and the value of both the real and personal property in the estate. Also includes certificate from witnesses and an affidavit from the administrator stating that every item in the estate was appraised.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

INVENTORY, APPRAISEMENT AND SALE BILL. 1854 - 1855, 1871 - 1886. 3 vols. Book numbers 208 - 210.

These books record the inventory and appraisement of all real and personal property in the estate. Lists each item from the estate, its appraised value, and the total amount of the sale.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

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INVENTORY, CERTIFICATE, AND AFFIDAVIT.1899 - 1911. 2 vols. Book numbers 211 & 212.

Gives names of administrator or executor, witnesses, and a list of every item in the estate. Also includes a certificate from witnesses and an "Affidavit of Executor or Administrator" stating that everything in the estate was inventoried. The witnesses were appointed by Probate Court "to accompany and aid the (executor or administrator) in opening and examining the papers and money of (the deceased) and in making an inventory of them."

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: INVENTORY OF ESTATES.1873 - 1883, 1885 - 1898. Book numbers 213 - 215. INVENTORY RECORD. 1857 - 1873, 1835 - 1918. Book numbers 216 - 221. LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND/OR TESTAMENTARY LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND TESTAMENTARY.1871 - 1885. 1 vol. Book number 1.
Contains records of documents issued by the court to the executor or administrator stating his or her appointment. Gives name of deceased and person appointed, date of letter, and includes name of Probate Court clerk.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES AND EMBALMER'S LICENSES. 1903 - 1922. I vol. Book number 67.

Records the Probate Judge's certification that he performed the marriage ceremony of a couple. Gives the names of the couple, the judge, and the date of the ceremony (pp. 100 196).

Arranged chronologically. Index is a separate volume.

MINUTES

MINUTE BOOKS. 1906 - 1907, 1909 - 1983. 59 vols. Book numbers 279 - 338.

Memoranda of proceedings of the court noted at sessions and later transferred to the PROBATE COURT RECORD BOOKS. Gives court term, date of session, name and number of estate, and nature of proceedings.

Arranged chronologically.(Title varies: MINUTE BOOKS OF DEMANDS. 1900 - 1905. Book number 339. PROBATE AND COMMON PLEAS MINUTES.1847 - 1849, 1850 - 1877, 1879 - 1884, 1887 - 1890, 1894, 1904 - 1905. Book numbers 277 - 278, 340 - 353. PROBATE JUDGE MINUTE BOOKS. 1890 - 1892, 1902 - 1904. Book numbers 354 - 355.

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MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS. 1903 - 1968. 5 vols. Book numbers 356 - 360.

Records various proceedings concerning private sale of real estate from a deceased's estate; Order of Publication, Refunding Bond of Distribution, Proof of Publication, and Reports of Private Sale of Real Estate.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed Book numbers 356 - 359.

MONEY LOANED

GUARDIAN'S AND CURATOR'S RECORD OF MONEY LOANED. 1887 - 1956. 5 vols. Book numbers 361 - 365.

Gives number and date of note, interest rate, maker, security, principal, interest, and total.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

PUBLICATION

ADMINISTRATOR'S, EXECUTOR'S, AND GUARDIAN'S NOTICE OF PUBLICATION RECORD. 1898 - 1957. 13 vols. Book numbers 549 - 561.

Gives name of administrator, date of death or when the ward was declared insane, date item was published, name of the newspaper and Its business manager, and name of the notary public.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION. 1899 - 1956. 4 vols. Book numbers 562 - 565.

Gives a description of real property from an estate that is to be sold, the name of administrator, date of death or when declared Insane, date Item was published, name of the newspaper and its business manager, and the name of the notary public.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: PUBLISHER'S AFFIDAVIT. 1876 - 1886. 1 vol. Book number 566.)

RECORD OF PUBLISHER'S NOTICE AND AFFIDAVIT. 1872 - 1906. 1 vol. Book number 567.

Gives name of administrator of executor, the date a Letter of Administration was granted, name of newspaper and Its publisher, and the dates of publication.

Arranged chronologically.

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RECORD BOOKS

PROBATE COURT RECORD BOOKS. 1833 - 1970. 183 vols. Book numbers 366 - 548.

These books record all the proceedings for an estate administered in Probate Court. Gives term, date, name of estate, and nature of proceedings. Some of the records give an estate number and have the judge's signature.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed Book numbers 366 - 374, 376 -507, 548.

REGISTER

REGISTER OF ESTATES. 1867 - 1877, 1907 - 1909, 1970 - 1982. 3 vols. Book numbers 568 - 570.

Gives name of estate, file and register number, list of every proceeding concerning the estate and date occurred, then gives the title, volume and page of the book in which the proceeding was recorded.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed number 568.

SALES

ACCOUNT OF SALE. 1893 - 1909. 1 vol. Book number 571.

Gives name of administrator or executor, a list of each item, who bought the item, the sale price, and the total amount of the sale.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed. (Title varies: PRIVATE SALE RECORD.1909 - 1956. Book numbers 572 - 575. SALE BILL RECORD. 1910 - 1928, 1935 - 1956. Book numbers 576 - 577. INVENTORY, APPRAISEMENT, AND SALE BILL. 1854 - 1855, 1871 - 1886. 3 vols. Book number 208 - 210.
These books record the inventory and appraisement of all real and personal property of an estate. Lists each item from the estate that was sold, its appraised value, and the total amount of the sale.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed.

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SETTLEMENT

PROBATE SETTLEMENT BOOKS AND RECORDS. 1833 - 1881, 1885 - 1970. 108 vols. Book numbers 585 - 692.

Records of semiannual, annual, and final settlements of estate probated. Gives name of either the executor, administrator, guardian, or curator; number of voucher; total debits and credits; balance due estate or distribution; affidavit of person making the settlement; name of probate clerk; and date filed.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed Book numbers 585 - 655. (Title varies: ADMINISTRATORS, CURATOR'S SETTLEMENT RECORD. 1869 - 1873, 1877 - 1884. Book numbers 578 - 580. NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT. 1882 - 1932. Book numbers 581 - 584.)

WILLS

PROBATE RECORD OF WILLS. 1840 - 1847, 1856 - 1861, 1871 - 1924, 1926 - 1970. 35 vols. Book numbers 693 - 727.

These books contain records of wills probated. Gives name of testator and witnesses. Includes a certificate of "Proof of Will" which gives date of death and names of persons probating the will, and a "Certificate of Will" which testifies to the validity of the will.

Arranged chronologically. Indexed numbers 694 - 716.

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