I have just entered into my first attempt at probate records, and would recommend it to everyone. I contacted the Allegheny County Register of Wills, and got the complete records on my great grandfather James Baird and another great grandfather William A. Seiler. The records can include the will, list of next of kin (including grandchildren in my case), dates of death, property owned and property and possessions disbursed. As an example, for James Baird, I found the family names of some of my grandfather's siblings that I have been unable to find in the last year or so. Their family names were Nundza, Brewer, and Morrow. These were found in the hand written will, and now I can pursue those family lines. For my other great grandfather, it turned up much since all that was known before this is that William Seiler disappeared one year and was never seen again. This paperwork detailed the dates and process needed to declare him dead and release his will. I am going to pursue a death certificate now and see if that is obtainable. So for a first experience, it turned up much I was fearful would never turn up and I would recommend it to everyone.....especially those Baird, Morrison, Seiler, Linderer, Nundza, Brewer, Morrow, Hutchison, Webster, Schultz, Swift, Kovach, Mentzer hunters in the area. Bill Baird