An executor typically petitioned the court to accept the will following an individual’s death. A hearing date was set to prove the will. Witnesses to the will appeared in court and if the will was not contested it was admitted or probated into the court. After the will was probated the clerk transcribed and indexed a copy into the will books. Transcribed copies and original wills were both kept at the Courthouse.
Search Tip: Names within this index are arranged alphabetically by first letter of the surname and then alphabetically by first letter of the given name. Names are further indexed chronologically by date the will was probated or brought to the Courthouse. A will may be indexed several years after the death occurred. Researchers should also search other death records such as Intestate and Orphans' Court. Use the bookmark feature within the index to quickly navigate to the appropriate surname and first name section.
Lancaster County Will Index Series