Probate records or estate files often contain a wealth of information and the ones kept in Henry County Illinois are no exception. Copies can be obtained from Debra Doss-Bumann, Henry County Circuit Clerk, Cambridge, Illinois 61238. If you have the file numbers, it does make it easier, however an index is available at the Court House and has also been published by the Henry County Genealogical Society. It can be found in their publications listing on the Henry County GenWeb page. Early 1800's to early 1941 probate records have been microfilmed. The original files are kept at Western Illinois University. This info was as of 1995 and may be updated by now. It says requests for copies by mail are permissible and will be answered as soon as possible. Cost (in 1995) was 50 cents per page. I would verify the cost but whatever I have found in the files was well worth the cost. I visited in person prior to 1995 and was able to go thru and handle all the contents of the files that I wished to see. I selected what items I wanted copies of and found funeral bills, final estate listings of property including cows, wagons, etc. Really interesting details of an ancestor's life. If you wish to call and verify costs etc. the phone number is :309-937-3578 Ask for the Circuit Clerk's office. The personel at this court house are especially helpful and interested in people doing genealogical research. Just please remember that they carry out a multitude of other daily tasks as well and must have their priorities. Happy hunting, Elaine