Hoping to "meet" someone from Philadelphia area

[zuzusplace]

This is probably a pretty unique post, but I'm hoping to find someone from the Philadelphia area who has a passion for genealogy or history who might be willing to help me.  I'm a student in MI, and due to a combination of pregnancy and school don't think I will be able to travel to PA in the near future.  I'm researching an early african american educator and abolishonist.  I DESPERATELY want to find out some things about the end of her life (event the experts in the field have not written much on her later years).  Specifically I'm looking for a copy of her will and possibly deed records for the house she owned, unfortunately, the records are not available on-line.  A professor agreed to get copies for me when she is there in Dec, but doesn't have time to search for them.  I'm hoping someone here with a passion for records and archives would be willing (I'd even be willing to consider reimbursement for time) to go to City Hall and/or the archives just to look and see if the property or will in question are even listed as being in the records.  I know this is a long shot, but I'm really hoping it works :)

[SpottedFoxx]

When did she die?  The Philadelphia Register of Wills only goes back to 1924.   You can call them ([phone]) and they will be able to pull up the record and provide you with the information you need to get a copy of the will.  http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/faq.aspx

You can request information online here http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/probaterequest.aspx

Good Luck.

[zuzusplace]

There is actually some disagreement on the web sites as to how far back the records go, which is why I thought being there would be easier. City Hall claims 1924 with older records in the Archives on Market St and the archives claim they are all in City Hall LOL.

16

I think I may go ahead and try that request form and see if I can get more information, or maybe the phone number would be better. Hopefully they will lead to something more than my other attempts to contact the register of wills...

[klk197]

I've never dealt with wills and deeds specifically, but I have done a few archive treasure hunts (at the 30th & Market site) for building permits and zoning info, and some "official" information, including internet available info, states that 1920 is the earliest date on record.  Most of the stuff I've dug up is much much earlier than that, so I am very confused as to why they are uncertain of their holdings, unless it refers to what they "guarantee" having on file.  For example, most deeds for houses in my part of town list 1920 as the date built (and this info is repeated on sites like Trulia and Zillow), yet I found a permit for an addition to my house from 1913 and my block appears with lot and building outlines on an 1894 map.

I live right by a subway stop, so getting to City Hall is easy.  Make a call to the dept, file that request form, and then let me know where you stand.  I can make a run up there and spend a morning exploring if necessary.

[zuzusplace]

WOW, thank you...I can always count on MDC mommies!!! I will be calling today and then I'll see how I'm doing from there. I'm really excited at the prospect of getting a hold of her will. Hopefully it'll give me some idea of how she went from a property holding teacher and public speaker, to a housekeeper living in someone else's house, and exactly what holdings she did still have in the end.

16

I'll update as soon as I know something.

[zuzusplace]

klk197...I'm sending you a message.