Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Michele Hall, Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Email: mhall@boonecountymo.org


Boone County Probate Indices Now Available Online

September 26, 2013

The Boone County probate indices are now available online. With the help of the Secretary of State's State Archives Local Records Division, the massive volumes have all been scanned at no cost to Boone County.

Individuals searching for historical knowledge often turn to probate records for information about their ancestors' estates which may shed some light on lives otherwise lost in time. Previously, the indices were only located in the Boone County Courthouse, which proved frustrating for those who made the trip to the courthouse only to find no records that pertain to them. Now, genealogists can search the probate indices in the comfort of their own home. If their search is fruitless, they have saved themselves a trip to the courthouse; if the search reveals the existence of probate documents, they can go the courthouse with identifying information in hand to expedite their search. This is an especially helpful tool for those researchers not located near Boone County.

This technological advance is more than a convenience for family historians. It will also help preserve the historical value of the books for years to come by significantly reducing the daily wear and tear on these large volumes. Currently, no probate files are available online; however, the long-term goal is to scan the estate cases currently on microfilm to make them available electronically as well. For more information or to search the probate indices, please visit http://www.courts.mo.gov/hosted/circuit13/courtoffices/bneprobate.htm.



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