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How would I go about tracking down a chateau/castle a relative inherited many years ago, and gave up to pay back taxes?
Already Tried: No idea where to start on this one. Have two potential family surnames
Hello,Welcome to Just Answer and thanks for your question. The only way to do any kind of history is to start with what you know. That would be the earliest relative you know the birth date and place for. Then trace that relative backward in time. If you have more than one surname, you would need to start with the earliest relative of each of them. Once you know the area where the relative came from, you can check tax records there for the details.
Is there any potential way to check country taxes and wills by family surnames, if the birthplace can't be located? With so many having left to excape persecutions, etc.several locations can be found with family members.
You can always check the tax lists, but they aren't usually arranged by surname but by date.
Do you have any idea how soon after a person's death that the wills in France and property bequeethed to the person in the USA would be? Can you suggest besides researching to my earliest ancestor, if there might be another way to locate the property?
You have to know the person's name and the location of the property to find it on tax records, or anywhere else really. Wills are usually read the week of the funeral and probate occurs within the year.
Thanks. Is there any way to locate where property was with family surnames, without going through tax records?
I really don't know of any way.
Thanks for your help! I've been working these families 30+ years and it's been a challenge. This chateau is my roodblock so far. I thought it might have been in Poland, but a cousin says it was France. Keeping fingers crossed I find something. Thanks again.
You're so very welcome. Good luck!
Experience: Researcher and genealogist for past 30 years