The probate records of Delaware,, dating back to the 17th century, are especially valuable due to the state's small size and relatively centralized record-keeping. Wills, inventories, and letters of administration were managed by the county Register of Wills and the Orphans’ Court. These records often detail heirs, executors, property holdings, and guardianship of minors. Delaware's long history—first as a Swedish, then Dutch, then English colony—adds a unique cultural dimension, with records sometimes appearing in early Dutch or Swedish alongside English. The Delaware Public Archives holds extensive probate collections, many digitized or indexed. For genealogists researching their Delaware roots, these documents provide essential evidence for family reconstruction, especially when combined with land, court, and church records from the colonial and early American periods.
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