Country of Arrival Records - Probate Records Many researchers dismiss probate records as a means of information, citing the poverty of their ancestors. This is especially true if your ancestors were Irish. However, you shouldn't completely dismiss this avenue. If census records indicate that your ancestor owned his house, then you will need to find out what happened to this property upon his demise. Did it pass to his wife? Or maybe his brother? Was he able to leave a small sum of inheritance for his children? Maybe upon his death, you learn that there were back taxes owed on the house. Did the state take it over or were his heirs able to come up with the money? Some probate records will indicate a place of origin in the old country. This is especially true if your ancestor owned land in the old country. Maybe his parents left him land? Most probate records are indexed and can be found at the county courthouse. The LDS has some older probate records, as does the New York State Archives.