Enrollment options
Finding an ancestor’s last will and testament is exciting. A great deal of valuable genealogical information is available in wills and estate files. These records should not be overlooked.
Whether the deceased was testate or intestate, this course teaches where to search for wills and estate records. Keep in mind the historical era and the geographical location in Canada. What type of genealogical information is also available.
We examine how these documents reveal not only the distribution of the property and possessions of your ancestors, but also what other relevant historical information they hold. Wills and estate
Historical: This course
originated September 2025. Current version copyright is September
2025. If you have older
material, it needs to be replaced. Use the chat app to order your
replacement materials.
Formerly was Canadian: Wills & Estate Records-Part
1, originated May 2000,
final version copyright October 2003.
Course Content
Course Notes
MODULE
1
INTRODUCTION
Module Notes
Oldest Written
Will
Anatomy of
Will
Glossary
Background to the Canadian
Legal
System
Recommended Reading
and
Resources
Module 1 Course Assignments
MODULE 2
FINDING A
WILL
Module Notes
How To Find a Will
FamilySearch
- Full-Text Search
- Module Activity #1
- Alternative Search Methods
- Module Activity #2
- Module Activity #3
- Module Activity #4
- Other Resources
Surrogate Court & Provincial Archives
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Québec
- Saskatchewan
- The Territories
Surrogate Court Reports
Québec Wills—Unique Research Methods
Recommended Reading and Resources
Module 2 Course Assignments
MODULE 3
EXAMINING A PROBATE FILE
Module Notes
Wills
Estate Records or Files
Some Best Practices
- Transcription
- Citation
Probate: Charles Albert Massey, 1915
Recommended Resources
Module 3 Course Assignments
MODULE 4
A LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION FILE
Module Notes
When Letters of Administration Occurs
Estate of Gabriel Dumont, 1906
Module 4 Course Assignments
MODULE 5
LAW OF SUCCESSION AND WOMEN AND WILLS
Module Notes
Succession Laws
- Public Trustee
- Procedure
Women and Wills
Will of Letitia Farrell, married woman, 1833
Recommended Reading and Resources
Module 5 Course Assignments
MODULE 6
UNUSUAL
WILLS
Module
Notes
Charles Millar, Barrister,
1926
The Tractor Fender
A Dog
and Pony Show: William Irwin Forbes, d.
1910
Final thoughts
Module 6
Course Assignments