Fractions are a genealogist’s friend because they are often clues to an inheritance.
The children of Paul Freund in Davenport, Iowa, owned two-thirds of his farm, his cows, his wagon, and his calves upon his death. That’s the items listed in the inventory that is a part of their guardianship. Paul died with no will (intestate) and state law dictated that the widow received a third of the property with the rest going to his children.
That’s how they ended up with a two-thirds interest. The probate documents don’t explain how they got the two-thirds interest as court records in this time period don’t often explain things that stem from state statute or common law.
That’s why a general understanding of probate procedures is helpful.
And why fractions are your genealogical friend: they contain clues.
2 Responses
It’s interesting that a comma was used instead of a decimal point. I wondered if younger readers would immediately see that the estate was worth $1,389.96 rather than $139, 996.00.
I’m so used to seeing the comma used instead of the decimal point that I often don’t notice it–at least not when I’m reading it and not transcribing. But it is good to note that some notation changes over time.