Probate records are a gem for those researching ancestors in Denmark. However, understanding the jurisdictions for these records is very complicated. This webinar will discuss the basics of the Danish Estate system the influence it had on our ancestors’ lives. We will also learn about the county records, finding aids and online resources for successfully navigating Danish probate records.
This webinar features Jenny Hansen, an expert in Scandinavian genealogy, discussing Danish probate records. Probate records, created after an individual’s death, contain valuable genealogical information. These records typically include a preamble with details about the deceased and their heirs, an inventory of the estate, a list of outstanding debts, and how assets were assigned. The Danish term for probate record is “skifteprotokoller,” which translates to “records of property changes.”
The introduction of the Danske Lov in 1683 by King Christian V standardized legal practices in Denmark, including probate laws. Probate records became essential for estates with minor heirs, absent heirs, or no heirs. Unlike wills, which were uncommon due to property ownership and literacy limitations, probate records offer detailed insights into family relationships and inheritance practices. These records also specified rules for guardianship of minors, defined as males under 25 and unmarried females, and outlined inheritance, favoring male relatives. Although these laws remained largely unchanged until 1845, they provide valuable information for genealogical research, especially for the period before 1814, when church records were less detailed.
The webinar emphasizes the importance of understanding the Danish manor or estate system (Gods), as most ancestors were tenant farmers on these estates. These estates had their own legal systems, land records, and responsibilities, including the execution of probate processes. The speaker also provides resources for finding probate records, noting that major genealogy websites lack comprehensive indexes.
Unique Insight: probate law favored the father’s male relatives and then the mother’s male relatives in the order of inheritance, with males receiving double the portion of females. This highlights the patriarchal structure of Danish society during the period.
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Thank you for an excellent and extremely interesting webinar. Jenny is an enthusiastic presenter and is very, easy to listen to. I love that she challenges us the listeners not to take the easy obvious ways to find information, but to look further into more difficult areas of research.
I joined this webinar today as my husband’s ancestry is Danish. I found it absolutely fascinating.
Brilliant. Very new information for me.
Jenny was readly good and even that I have checked at church records, the probates are almost just alike!!! love the way she guided us to the right place, date, or whatever I followed her!!! I want more Danish!!!
Very good! My research in Denmark hasn’t reached the era of manors–or perhaps I’ve missed something important. My work has expanded!
Found out about something that I didn’t know was available
Excellent introduction to this topic.
The most helpful webinar I have ever watched!!