Before you search the “probate database” at Ancestry.com, search the inventory to determine what they have. Their inventory is not as descriptive as it could be and some users have reported having difficulty finding it on their site.

Our original post on this database included a link to the specific state databases. Choose the state of interest on that list, then when the page loads on the right hand side choose the county of interest. Then you can see what is there for that county. Some counties have no material. Some counties have material but the dates are not as comprehensive as those listed in the state title of the database implies.

Don’t waste time looking for things if the year of the event is not included in the range of years. Also learn more about the local records so that you have an idea of what other material may be available besides what is on the Ancestry.com site.

Be informed.