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1.
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Probate records refer to wills inventories, letters of administration and guardianship. They are usually held at the county courthouse unless archived.
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2.
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There are three types of wills: Attested, Holographic and Nuncupative. The attested will is the most common and is prepared for the testator. A holographic will is written by the testator himself. A nuncupative will are the deathbed wishes of the testator, recorded by a witness present at the bedside. All wills must be witnessed.
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3.
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A person who dies intestate dies without a will.
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4.
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An executor is named by the testator and is required by the court to post a bond. An administrator is appointed to handle the affairs of one who dies intestate (without a will).
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5.
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A bequest is a legacy, usually a gift of real estate by will.
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6.
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A Codicil is a supplemental document to a will.
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7.
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Decedent refers to the deceased person.
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8.
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A widow's dower is her claim to a portion of her deceased husband's estate during her lifetime for her and her children's support.
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9.
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When doing research in probate records, request to see the entire file.
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10.
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Any relationship that results from a legal marriage could be referred to as an in-law. A father-in-law could be a wife's father but it was more likely the person's stepfather. Son-in-law could refer to a stepson (and usually did in colonial times). The same with mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, which often indicates a step-mother, step-daughter, stepsister, and stepbrother, not a member of a spouse's family. You will need to read those old wills and other records carefully and watch for possible relationships you hadn't considered before.
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