What does it mean if a probate index lists a person's record as "Insanity of", instead of "Estate of"? I found my ancestor listed in a probate index for McLeod County, Minnesota, USA around the year 1882. His record is in the format "Last Name, First Name, Insanity of", instead of "Last Name, First Name, Estate of", like many of the others. What's the difference between "estate of" and "insanity of"? !enter image description here

It means a case was brought before the court to declare that person insane. Apparently Minnesota probate courts handled insanity cases in addition to estate cases. From the Minnesota Historical Society:

> Case Files are the major records created by the probate courts. Case files contain copies of each document filed in a probate action. ...
>
> In an insanity action the case file may contain a petition asking the court to declare an individual insane, medical testimony bearing on the individual’s mental capacity, a determination by the court of the individual’s mental state, the possible commitment to a state hospital or other facility, and the appointment of a guardian for the individual.

Here's an example from Indiana.