Victoria, Australia, Wills and Probate Records, 1841-2009

This database is a collection of historical probate records from Victoria, Australia. The records include wills and probate records from 1841-2009. Wills and probate records created between 1841 and 1925 have been indexed and have digitized images available. Wills and probate records created between 1926 and 2009 have been indexed. Digitized images can be ordered from the Public Record Office Victoria.

Probate records relate to a deceased person's estate. The contents of a probate file can vary from case to case, but certain details are found in most probates, most importantly, the names and residences of beneficiaries and their relationship to the decedent. An inventory of the estate assets can reveal personal details about the deceased’s occupation and lifestyle. There may also be references to debts, deeds, and other documents related to the settling of the estate.

Wills are important documents because they can provide a great deal of genealogical information. Often the names of surviving family members, especially those to whom items were bequeathed, are mentioned. In addition to family relationships, other information may also be gleaned from wills. For example, based on the type of items and the worth of the items being bequeathed to surviving relatives one can formulate an idea about what kind of life the testator had.

The following information may be available in these records.

• name
• occupation
• death date
• death place
• grant date
• probate file number