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There are several probate courts having jurisidiction in an English county. Articles in this Wiki will tell you how to discover the names of the courts having jurisdiction over your place, and details about the records. To find one of these articles, type the [Name of the County] Probate Records in the search box. For example, if you want to learn about probates in Cumberland, search for the title Cumberland Probate Records. | There are several probate courts having jurisidiction in an English county. Articles in this Wiki will tell you how to discover the names of the courts having jurisdiction over your place, and details about the records. To find one of these articles, type the [Name of the County] Probate Records in the search box. For example, if you want to learn about probates in Cumberland, search for the title Cumberland Probate Records. | ||
Call numbers for the records in the | Call numbers for the records in the FamilySearch Library can be found in the library's catalog. For a current listing of probate records and indexes, follow these instructions. | ||
#Go to the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog catalog] and click '''Place Search'''. | #Go to the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog catalog] and click '''Place Search'''. | ||
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#Click the '''View Film Notes''' button in the top right corner to find the film number. If the button isn't there, the item isn't on film and a book number will be given.<br> | #Click the '''View Film Notes''' button in the top right corner to find the film number. If the button isn't there, the item isn't on film and a book number will be given.<br> | ||
A court may also be determined by using the sources listed under the heading "Records Not at the | A court may also be determined by using the sources listed under the heading "Records Not at the FamilySearch Library" in this section. From 1796 to 1858, Estate Duty Indexes can be used to determine the court (see the heading, "Indexes" that follows for more information). | ||
Ecclesiastical jurisdictions, which help determine the court, are given in Samuel Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England (see the [[England Gazetteers|Gazetteers]] article) and Frank Smith’s ''A Genealogical Gazetteer of England''. | Ecclesiastical jurisdictions, which help determine the court, are given in Samuel Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England (see the [[England Gazetteers|Gazetteers]] article) and Frank Smith’s ''A Genealogical Gazetteer of England''. | ||
For more information, see sections below: Indexes; and Finding Records in the | For more information, see sections below: Indexes; and Finding Records in the FamilySearch Library. | ||
== Post-1857 Probate Courts == | == Post-1857 Probate Courts == | ||
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To learn more, read leaflets from The National Archives titled [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-and-probate-before-1858-further-research/ Probate Records] and [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-after-1858/ Wills and administrations after 1858]. | To learn more, read leaflets from The National Archives titled [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-and-probate-before-1858-further-research/ Probate Records] and [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-after-1858/ Wills and administrations after 1858]. | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has film copies of the indexes,1858-1957 and wills, 1858-1925. Films can be viewed in the library or in [[Introduction to Family History Centers|family history centers]]. Search the FamilySearch Catalog to find the film numbers. <br> | ||
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The estate duty registers were grouped into two sections, the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and a number of district courts, collectively referred to as ''country courts''.<br> | The estate duty registers were grouped into two sections, the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and a number of district courts, collectively referred to as ''country courts''.<br> | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has copies of the Estate Duty wills and administrations. They can be viewed in the library or in a [[Introduction to Family History Centers|family history center]]. To find film numbers, | ||
#Go to the catalog and click '''Place Search'''. | #Go to the catalog and click '''Place Search'''. | ||
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The records of the '''Prerogative Court of Canterbury''', for 1384-1858, are indexed online through the website of the National Archives of the United Kingdom and their feature [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-1384-1858/ "How do I search the records?"]. | The records of the '''Prerogative Court of Canterbury''', for 1384-1858, are indexed online through the website of the National Archives of the United Kingdom and their feature [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-1384-1858/ "How do I search the records?"]. | ||
Other repositories and organizations, including family history societies, have created and published indexes, some online and some as booklets or on microfiche. To view a partial list, go to [http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Online_Probate_Indexes Your Archives]. For those available in the | Other repositories and organizations, including family history societies, have created and published indexes, some online and some as booklets or on microfiche. To view a partial list, go to [http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Online_Probate_Indexes Your Archives]. For those available in the FamilySearch Library, go to the library's catalog and do a Place search for your county of interest and the topic of Probate Records. | ||
[http://www.originsnetwork.com/help/popup-aboutbo-pcc.htm http://www.originsnetwork.com/help/popup-aboutbo-pcc.htm] | [http://www.originsnetwork.com/help/popup-aboutbo-pcc.htm http://www.originsnetwork.com/help/popup-aboutbo-pcc.htm] | ||
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An index to wills, called the National Probate Calendar, is on fiche or film at [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] and the [https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/guildhall-library Guildhall Library, London]. It indexes to all wills and administrations up to 1943. | An index to wills, called the National Probate Calendar, is on fiche or film at [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] and the [https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/guildhall-library Guildhall Library, London]. It indexes to all wills and administrations up to 1943. | ||
Indexes and abstracts for the Principal Probate Registry, 1858 to 1957, are on film in the | Indexes and abstracts for the Principal Probate Registry, 1858 to 1957, are on film in the FamilySearch Library.<br> | ||
Index film numbers are found in the Library's {{FSC|208102|title-id|disp=catalog}}(*) Use the Place search for England and the topic of Probate Records--Indexes. The record title is ''Calendar of the grants of probate and letters of administration made in the Principal Registry.'' | Index film numbers are found in the Library's {{FSC|208102|title-id|disp=catalog}}(*) Use the Place search for England and the topic of Probate Records--Indexes. The record title is ''Calendar of the grants of probate and letters of administration made in the Principal Registry.'' | ||
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The indexes to these records are useful for locating wills and administrations probated between these dates, even if you do not know your ancestor’s residence. The registers from 1796 to 1903 have been indexed on [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/death-duties-1796-1903/ DocumentsOnline]. The indexes for the same time period can also be searched on [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/index-to-death-duty-registers-1796-1903 findmypast]. <br> | The indexes to these records are useful for locating wills and administrations probated between these dates, even if you do not know your ancestor’s residence. The registers from 1796 to 1903 have been indexed on [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/death-duties-1796-1903/ DocumentsOnline]. The indexes for the same time period can also be searched on [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/index-to-death-duty-registers-1796-1903 findmypast]. <br> | ||
Indexes are on microfilm in the | Indexes are on microfilm in the FamilySearch Library. Click on one of the following links to find the film numbers in the catalog. {{FSC|534228|title-id|disp=Death duty register for abstracts of administrations and probates of wills for country courts, 1796-1811}}. <br> | ||
{{FSC|613685|title-id|disp=Abstracts of administrations in the country courts, 1812-1857}}.<br> | {{FSC|613685|title-id|disp=Abstracts of administrations in the country courts, 1812-1857}}.<br> | ||
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Some estimate that only 5-10% of the population left a will. Those persons named in a will, a beneficiary, account for a much larger portion of the population. A few indexes are being made available that identify the persons mentioned in wills. For a list of know indexes to will beneficiaries '''[[England Will Beneficiary Indexes|read on...]]''' | Some estimate that only 5-10% of the population left a will. Those persons named in a will, a beneficiary, account for a much larger portion of the population. A few indexes are being made available that identify the persons mentioned in wills. For a list of know indexes to will beneficiaries '''[[England Will Beneficiary Indexes|read on...]]''' | ||
== Finding Probate Records in the | == Finding Probate Records in the FamilySearch Library == | ||
==== Ecclesiastical Courts (pre-1858) ==== | ==== Ecclesiastical Courts (pre-1858) ==== | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has a large collection of probate records. Follow these instructions to find them. | ||
#Go to the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] and click Place Search. | #Go to the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] and click Place Search. | ||
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==== Principal Probate Registry ==== | ==== Principal Probate Registry ==== | ||
The actual wills are on microfilm for 1858 through 1925 and are listed in the | The actual wills are on microfilm for 1858 through 1925 and are listed in the FamilySearch Library [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog Catalog]. Do a Place search for England and the topic of Probate Records. The record titles begin "Record copy wills..." There are two catalog records for the district registry wills and one for the Principal Registry. | ||
==== Estate Duty Wills and Administrations ==== | ==== Estate Duty Wills and Administrations ==== | ||
Many probate records from the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall were destroyed during World War II. For these and others counties are available at the | Many probate records from the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall were destroyed during World War II. For these and others counties are available at the FamilySearch Library. Click on one of the following links to find the film numbers in the catalog. | ||
{{FSC|534228|title-id|disp=Death duty register for abstracts of administrations and probates of wills for country courts, 1796-1811}}. | {{FSC|534228|title-id|disp=Death duty register for abstracts of administrations and probates of wills for country courts, 1796-1811}}. | ||
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Films may be viewed at the library. Some microfilm and microfiche may be available at various local family history centers. | Films may be viewed at the library. Some microfilm and microfiche may be available at various local family history centers. | ||
== Records Not in the | == Records Not in the FamilySearch Library == | ||
For some courts not all documents or time periods have been microfilmed. For a few courts, the library has no records at all. Sometimes a particular record was omitted from the filming. To obtain a copy of a record not at the library, contact the archive that holds the original records. For copies of wills after 1925 or administrations after 1857, write to: | For some courts not all documents or time periods have been microfilmed. For a few courts, the library has no records at all. Sometimes a particular record was omitted from the filming. To obtain a copy of a record not at the library, contact the archive that holds the original records. For copies of wills after 1925 or administrations after 1857, write to: | ||
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