Manitoba Probate Records

Probate records, including wills and estate files , for individuals who died with a will, “testate”, or without a will, “inteste”, are available at the Archives of Manitoba. The Guide to Probate Records at the Archives of Manitoba can be used to determine where an estate was probated and the file location at the Archives of Manitoba.

Probate records are created between citizens and the Manitoba judicial system in the course of day-to-day transactions.  They are part of a large and sometimes complex system of information and record keeping. Learning about the systems that produce these records can be very useful in helping to locate and understand probate records.

Probate files are usually created and maintained by the court nearest the residence of the deceased person or the executor of the will. The contents of the file may vary. Most contain a copy of the will, if it exists. Prior to 1973, legal instruments such as grants of probate and letters of administration were filed separately in probate books. After 1973, these instruments are kept with the estate file.

The Winnipeg indexes are now available online. The Archives of Manitoba is currently working on making other indexes available via its website as well.

Consult the Winnipeg estate file index to find the estate files of deceased persons that were probated through Surrogate Court and its successor the Court of Queen’s Bench Probate Division between the years 1870 and 1984. Use the Guide to Probate Records at the Archives of Manitoba to determine where an estate was probated and the file location for the related records at the Archives of Manitoba.

For estates of individuals that died after 1984, consult the Court Registry System online.

Consult the Keystone Archives Descriptive Database to find out more about what kinds of estate files and other probate records are available at the Archives of Manitoba.

If you would like to find out more about probate records, what types of information they contain, and how to find these types of records, please consult the Probate Records FAQ for answers to these questions and more.