Washington Probate Records
This entry was originally written by Dwight A. Radford for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
In Washington, probate courts had original jurisdiction on matters relating to the probate of wills and administration of estates. These courts were empowered to appoint guardians of minors and insane persons, and to conduct adoption and insanity hearings. The probate courts continued to exist independently until 1891, when its functions were assumed by the state superior court system (see Washington Court Records). Those records generated by the probate courts before 1891 were transferred to the custody of the county clerk. These are collected and deposited at the regional branches of the Washington State Archives.
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