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==== Step 1. Search Indexes ==== | ==== Step 1. Search Indexes ==== | ||
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Bedfordshire. Before searching the iindexes that cover a particular court, you might want to determine the court a will for your ancestor would be proved in. | Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Bedfordshire. Before searching the iindexes that cover a particular court, you might want to determine the court a will for your ancestor would be proved in. Step 3 can help you determine the court. Search these indexes first: | ||
*[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)] | *[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)] | ||
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*{{FHL|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford | *{{FHL|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford | ||
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FHL|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}} | *Bedfordshire wills, {{FHL|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}} | ||
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | *The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FHL|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}} | ||
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | *Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | ||
*Wills and administrations, 1624-1858 See FHL fims {{FHL|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}} | *Wills and administrations, 1624-1858 See FHL fims {{FHL|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}} | ||
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==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ==== | ==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ==== | ||
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. | Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. | ||
Determine ''where'' your ancestor died. It is easier to find a probate record if you know whether the place where your ancestor lived or died is a [[P genealogical glossary terms|parish]]. To learn whether it is a parish, look it up in a gazetteer. Here is a link to the 1872 ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales'' online: | Determine ''where'' your ancestor died. It is easier to find a probate record if you know whether the place where your ancestor lived or died is a [[P genealogical glossary terms|parish]]. To learn whether it is a parish, look it up in a gazetteer. Here is a link to the 1872 ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales'' online: | ||
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==== Majority of the County ==== | ==== Majority of the County ==== | ||
Before 1858, every town and parish in Bedfordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. | Before 1858, every town and parish in Bedfordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. The court that had primary jurisdiction over most of Bedfordshire, with just six exceptions (see below), was the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. Here's a list of further possible probate court jurisdictions:<br> | ||
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($) | *Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($) | ||
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*{{FHL|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford | *{{FHL|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford | ||
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FHL|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}} | *Bedfordshire wills, {{FHL|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}} | ||
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | *The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FHL|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}} | ||
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | *Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FHL|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard | ||
*Wills and administrations, Aylesbury Peculiar Court, 1624-1858 See FHL fims {{FHL|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}} | *Wills and administrations, Aylesbury Peculiar Court, 1624-1858 See FHL fims {{FHL|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}} | ||
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== Bedfordshire Probate Courts == | == Bedfordshire Probate Courts == | ||
Most of Bedfordshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts, which were the [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]] before 1837, and the [[Court of the Bishop of Ely (Episcopal Consistory)]] starting in 1837. | Most of Bedfordshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts, which were the [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]] before 1837, and the [[Court of the Bishop of Ely (Episcopal Consistory)]] starting in 1837. The courts should be searched in that order. The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] (and the appeals courts if necessary) should be searched last. | ||
However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction over certain parishes within the county. Click on a court name below to learn about the parishes they cover and | However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction over certain parishes within the county. Click on a court name below to learn about the parishes they cover and their records and indexes. | ||
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]] | *[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]] | ||
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