Scottish wills and probates, which are referred to as testaments and confirmations, are uniquely detailed and offer a wealth of genealogical data. Administered through commissary courts until 1823 and later through the Sheriff Courts, these records include both the will and an inventory of the deceased’s moveable property. Unlike England, real estate was generally excluded. The National Records of Scotland maintains comprehensive collections from the 16th century onwards, many of which are digitized and searchable online. Scottish inheritance law emphasized equal distribution among children, so wills often clarify individual bequests or arrangements. These documents shed light on economic conditions, kinship ties, and the personal affairs of ancestors, making them vital tools for Scottish genealogy.
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Government, Land, Court & Wills
Wills & Probates
- Scotland, Commissary Court Wills and Testaments 164,198 records
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