Probate and administration books, numerical series - Probate Registry (GRS/16377)

This series consists of two sets of bound volumes containing either handwritten copies of probate and an examined and certified correct probate copy of the related will or letters of administration (where a person has died intestate).

Each probate book is labelled 'Probate Book' and a book number in gold lettering is on the spine. Some of the earlier volumes have been re-bound. Each 'Probate' volume up to Volume 34 has an alphabetical index at the front followed by numbered pages. From Volume 34, entries were noted as being indexed in the 'general index'. The index contains reference to the deceased estate and page number, and beside each name an annotation in red for the probate file number (a single number).

The numbered pages are divided into a smaller column for annotations and a larger column where a copy of the proved probate or exemplification of probate given under the hand of a judge or Registrar of Probates, seal of the Supreme Court of South Australia, and a true copy of the will exhibited (including details of witnesses) have been transcribed.

Annotations may include the date registered, the probate number, date of death, the value of the estate, and a statement that the copy of the will has been 'examined and certified to be a Probate copy' signed and dated by the Master of the Court. The probate file number ranges from 1 to 12118. Entries for each probate flow on from each other and are not entered on separate pages.

Up to 1866 letters of administration were entered in the same book as the probates. After that date, administrations were maintained in separate books, commencing from Book 9. Except for Books 9A and 10A that were incorrectly labelled as probate books when they were rebound, each administration book is labelled 'Administration Book' or 'Administrations Book' and a book number in gold lettering is on the spine. These have subsequently been renumbered with an 'A' Suffix and filed alongside the corresponding Probate Book number. Each 'Administration' volume up to Volume 15A has an alphabetical index at the front, followed by numbered pages. The index contains reference to the deceased estate and page number, and beside each name an annotation in red for the probate file number (a single number).

The numbered pages are divided into a smaller column for annotations and a larger column, where a copy of the letter of administration given under the hand of the Registrar of Probates and seal of the Supreme Court of South Australia has been transcribed. Annotations may include the date registered, the probate number, date of death and the value of the estate. The probate file number ranges from 4454 to 1395. A separate letter of administration is entered on each page.

No books were kept for registering or entering probates before 1844. No administrations were entered before 1850.

The probate files these books relate to were originally unnumbered, and the related record books and indexes refer to cases by volume and folio number. At some point after 1892, the files were given an imposed sequential number which was then annotated in the record book. The indexes were not updated with relevant file numbers.

A copy of a typescript index to probates and letters of administration is held in the public foyer of the Probate Registry (as at July 2016).

Probate Books are numbered 1 - 55. Administration Books are numbered 9A - 16A and cover the period 1865 - 1892.

This series ended in 1892 with the passing of the Administration and Probate Act 1891, and the implementation of a new sequence of probate files and record books (see GRS 11585).

Digital copies of these books and online searchable indexes are available on the FamilySearch website.

Arranged numerically.