Canada, Manitoba, Probate Records, 1871-1930

What is in This Collection

The collection includes records from 1871-1930, although some indexes may cover years up to 1970.

These records include images of estate files, application books and indexes. Between 1871 and 1982, wills and probate records were kept only at the Surrogate Registrar’s Office in the courthouse of each judicial district in Manitoba. Since 1982, the following wills and probate records are being transferred to the Provincial Archives:

• Wills and probate records over 20 years old from courthouses outside the city of Winnipeg
• Wills and probate records over 60 years old from the Eastern Judicial District in Winnipeg

A central alphabetical index, arranged by year, is maintained at the Winnipeg court office. To have the index searched in the court office, you must provide the name of the deceased and the date of death. In 1984, all indexes, wills, and probate files for the period 1882 to 1930 began to be microfilmed for use at the Provincial Archives.

The Archives of Manitoba have placed probate indexes for Manitoba online. The following information is useful when searching:

• Winnipeg = Eastern Judicial District
• Brandon = Western Judicial District
  
• Morden = Southern Judicial District (prior to 1966)
• Portage la Prairie = Central Judicial District

Probate and estate files are especially useful when trying to prove a relationship between two or more individuals. To ensure that the property went to the correct person, relationships (such as 'son,' 'aunt,' or 'sister-in-law') were often named in detail. This is ideal for a genealogist who needs proof to move on to the next generation in a family or needs help fleshing out a complete family group. It may also give details about property owned by the family, which may be useful for family records.In cases where birth, marriage, and death records began too late, probate and estate records may be necessary to prove family connections.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

To Browse This Collection

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  1883 Probate Record

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  1885-7 Application Book