Manuscript Collection
Files
Download Finding Aid (335 KB)
Download 1 - Microfilm Roll One (C1689) - York County Records Book A (1787-1799), York District Will Book A (1800-1813), Estate Records Book B (1800-1811) and Estate Records Book C (387.5 MB)
Download 2 - Microfilm Roll Two(C1690) - York District Estate Records Books D (1814-1820), E (1816-1821), and F (1820-1826) (628.8 MB)
Download 3 - Microfilm Roll Three (C1691) - York District Estate Records Book G (1819-1837) (243.9 MB)
Download 4 - Microfilm Roll Four (C1692) - York District Estate Book L (1828-1830) and N (1829-1832) (337.6 MB)
Download 5 - Microfilm Roll Five (C1693) - York District Estate Records Books O (1832-1836) and P (1835-1838) (419.9 MB)
Download 6 - Microfilm Roll Six (C1694) - York District Estate Records Book Q (1837-1840) (47.4 MB)
Download 7 - Microfilm Roll Seven (C1703) - York District Inventories, Appraisements, and Sales Books I (1813-1828) and K (1816-1826) (168.4 MB)
Download 8 - Microfilm Roll Eight (C1705) - York District Inventories, Appraisements, Sales Books 3 (1847-1853) and 4 (1853-1858) (590.4 MB)
Download 9 - Microfilm Roll Nine (C1706) - York District Inventories, Appraisements, and Sales Book (1858-1864) and (1864-1867) (557.5 MB)
Download 10 - Microfilm Roll Ten (C1710) - York District Returns Book (1840-1846) and (1846-1854) (404.1 MB)
Download 11 - Microfilm Roll Eleven (C1711) - York District Returns Book D (1854-1862) and Book 3 (1862-1868) 3 (567.4 MB)
Download 12 - Microfilm Roll Twelve (C1716) - York District Real Estate Book (1825-1840) and Book 4 (1839-1867) (193.9 MB)
Download 13 - Microfilm Roll Thirteen (C1724) - York District Estate Records Book R (1838-1840) (168.7 MB)
Download 14 - Microfilm Roll Fourteen (C1726) - York District Minute Book of the Ordinary (1831-1840) and Journal of Ordinary (1840-1849) (179.0 MB)
Download 15 - Microfilm Roll Fifteen (C1728) - York District Estate Records Book H (1823-1829) (173.1 MB)
Download 16 - Microfilm Roll Sixteen (C1996) - Index to Estate Papers: York County (1787-1799), York District (1800-1868), and York County (1868-1969) (36.5 MB)
Download 17 - Microfilm Roll Seventeen (C1999) - York County Estate Papers, Case 2, File 67 through Case 3, File 110 (205.1 MB)
Download 18 - Microfilm Roll Eighteen (C2004) - York County Estate Papers, Case 6, File 261 through Case 7, File 305 (267.6 MB)
Download 19 - Microfilm Roll Nineteen (C2010) - York County Estate Papers, Case 12, File 510 through Case 12, File 542 (192.0 MB)
Download 20 - Microfilm Roll Twenty (C2027) - York County Estate Papers, Case 28, File 1166 through Case 29, File 1211 (260.7 MB)
Download 21 - Microfilm Roll Twenty One (C2033) - York County Estate Papers, Case 34, File 1451 through Case 35, File 1510 (291.5 MB)
Identifier
Accession 910
Inclusive Dates
1787-1969
Restrictions
Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections
Collection Size
22 reels
Language
English;
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of 22 microfilm reels containing copies of probate records created by the York County (formerly York District), South Carolina, Probate Judge and its predecessor, the Office of the Ordinary, dating from 1787 to 1969. The original records are held by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
The collection documents the administration and settlement of estates in York County and includes estate record books, will books, inventories, appraisements and sales books, returns books, real estate books, minute books and journals of the Ordinary, indexes to estate papers, and selected estate case files. These records preserve probate proceedings involving testate and intestate estates, as well as guardianships and committees established for minors and individuals deemed mentally incompetent. Estate files typically contain wills, petitions, letters testamentary or letters of administration, administration and guardian bonds, inventories, appraisements, sale bills, annual returns, financial accounts, petitions for final settlement, receipts, and related legal documents.
Also included are records documenting the work of the Office of the Ordinary, including minute books and journals recording official probate proceedings. Real estate and returns books provide additional documentation relating to estate administration, while inventories, appraisements, and sales books record the valuation and disposition of personal property belonging to deceased individuals.
The collection also contains an index to York County estate papers spanning 1787–1969 and selected estate case files representing various probate cases from that period. According to notes prepared by the records custodians at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, some original volumes and individual estate papers were missing at the time of filming. Estate Records Book C, referenced in early indexes and documents, was not located during the archival inventory, resulting in a gap between Estate Records Books B and D. The index volume also contains records relating to articles provided for students attending the Yorkville Female Academy (1821–1823) and guardianship returns filed by Benjamin Chambers, Ordinary of York District, in the Court of Equity (1822–1826).
This collection provides a comprehensive record of probate administration in York District and York County during the late eighteenth through twentieth centuries and serves as a significant resource for genealogical, legal, land ownership, and local history research.
Provenance
The York County – Probate Judge Records were purchased by Louise Pettus from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and donated to the Winthrop Archives on October 23, 1996.
Copyright
For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.
Finding Aid Citation
Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections, Winthrop University, "York County - Probate Judge Records - Accession 910". Finding Aid 1622.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/manuscriptcollection_findingaids/1622