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I need a skilled archival researcher to track down the probate estate inventory which Fortune K. Storrs, filed in the County of New York Surrogate Court in the late fall of 1837 after the death of his father, Henry Randolph Storrs of New Haven (d. 29 July 1837). My focus is the full list of assets recorded in that inventory; debts, heirs, and other material are secondary. I am looking for record of his ownership of a Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence. What I already have: a copy of the letter of administration dated 12 September 1837, plus several references that confirm the filing window. What I do not have is the actual inventory docketed by the Surrogate Court. If it survives—whether as a loose paper filing, bound volume entry, microfilm, or digitised scan—I would like high-resolution copies of the original pages, including any seals, marginalia, or clerk notations. A clear digital image set (JPEG or PDF) is ideal; physical photocopies are acceptable if scanning is restricted. Your work will likely centre on the original Surrogate Court record books, filed papers, and index volumes held onsite in Manhattan. If those volumes have been moved to the Municipal Archives or State Archives, or if microfilm exists through the LDS FamilySearch catalogue, please follow the trail; I’m open to reasonable retrieval or reproduction fees charged by the repositories. On delivery I will review the images for legibility and completeness, then release payment promptly. If the inventory is missing or lost, a written statement citing the consulted call numbers, docket books, and clerks spoken with will satisfy the project. Please let me know your estimated turnaround and any anticipated archive costs, and we can get started right away.
Project ID: 40385945
3 proposals
Active 22 days ago
Location: Manhattan, New York, United States
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3 freelancers are bidding on average $327 USD for this job

Hi, I can surely assist you in researching and retrieving the probate estate inventory you’re looking for. I have experience working with historical records, court archives, and tracing documents across repositories like surrogate courts, municipal archives, and microfilm collections. I will carefully follow the filing trail, check indexes, and locate the original inventory, ensuring you receive clear, high-quality scans with all details like seals and notes. If the record is missing, I’ll provide a clear report of all sources checked and contacts made. Estimated turnaround: 5–10 days (depending on archive access). Any archive/reproduction fees will be shared in advance. I have a couple of questions: Do you already have any docket or file reference number for the inventory? Are you okay with partial findings if only fragments of the inventory survive? Thanks.
$550 USD in 7 days
6.9
6.9

NYC-based researcher able to access Surrogate Court and Municipal Archives in person. I will trace the 1837 probate inventory through docket books, filed papers and index volumes, and provide high-resolution scans or a documented search report if not found. Familiar with archival protocols and efficient retrieval.
$180 USD in 7 days
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0.0

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