NSW State Archives and Records has announced the completion of its listing of NSW Probate Packets in its online catalogue.
The Authority said staff had been busy filling the gaps of Probate Packets for the period 1890-1913 and 1919-1928 in the catalogue, Collection Search.
“A grant of probate is the authority given by the Supreme Court of NSW to the executor(s) to deal with a deceased person’s estate,” the Authority said.
“Records in a Probate Packet include the last will and testament, codicils (additions or revocations to the will), and letters of administration,” it said.
“You can search for Probate Packets in Collection Search, by entering a person’s name and the word ‘death’ (e.g. Dame Nellie Melba death).”
The Authority thanked the Supreme Court of NSW, its commercial partner FindMyPast and its “awesome volunteers” for their efforts to complete the listing.
It said State Archives and Records held Probate Packets for the years 1817 to 1976 and for part of 1989.
“Please note that not everyone who died in New South Wales has a probate packet,” it said.
“Depending on the type, size and value of the assets located in New South Wales it may not be necessary to obtain a grant of probate in New South Wales.”
The Authority said records weren’t digitised and people could access them for free by visiting its Sydney reading room, once COVID-19 restrictions were eased, or by purchasing a copy from the item’s page in Collection Search.
NSW State Archives and Records Collection Search can be accessed at this PS News link and the Probate Packets Guide at this link.
