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== Pre-1858 Probate Courts == | == Pre-1858 Probate Courts == | ||
In Wales, four types of church courts [[Abstracts of Welsh Wills Pre 1858|probated wills]]: peculiar, | In Wales, four types of church courts [[Abstracts of Welsh Wills Pre 1858|probated wills]]: peculiar, archdeaconry, Bishops’, and the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Usually the court with primary jurisdiction probated the will, but wealth, status, or convenience could have affected which court was used. | ||
Following are descriptions of the four types of Welsh probate courts: | Following are descriptions of the four types of Welsh probate courts: | ||
*Peculiar courts had limited jurisdiction over small areas (sometimes just one parish). The only peculiar court in Wales is the Hawarden Peculiar, which covers Hawarden parish in Flintshire. | *Peculiar courts had limited jurisdiction over small areas (sometimes just one parish). The only peculiar court in Wales is the Hawarden Peculiar, which covers Hawarden parish in Flintshire. | ||
*Archdeaconry courts were divisions of a diocese. The only | *Archdeaconry courts were divisions of a diocese. The only archdeaconries which had probationary jurisdiction were in the diocese of St. David’s. The probate records for St. David’s diocese were divided into two groups: the Archdeaconry Court of '''Brecon''', and the combined archdeaconries of '''St. David’s''', Cardigan, and Carmarthen and Gower. | ||
*Bishops’ courts (also called episcopal, commissary, diocesan, or consistory courts) were the highest local courts. In Wales there were four main bishops’ courts: '''Bangor''', '''Llandaf''', '''St. Asaph''', and '''St. David’s'''. A small area in Flintshire and Denbighshire was under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Chester''' in England. Parts of Monmouth, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire were under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Hereford''' in England. | *Bishops’ courts (also called episcopal, commissary, diocesan, or consistory courts) were the highest local courts. In Wales there were four main bishops’ courts: '''Bangor''', '''Llandaf''', '''St. Asaph''', and '''St. David’s'''. A small area in Flintshire and Denbighshire was under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Chester''' in England. Parts of Monmouth, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire were under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Hereford''' in England. | ||
*The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC) was the highest court. This court was used if the deceased had property in more than one diocese. | *The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC) was the highest court. This court was used if the deceased had property in more than one diocese. | ||
If a court’s decision was disputed, additional records may be found among later records of the same court or in any court of higher jurisdiction. Decisions made in the diocesan and | If a court’s decision was disputed, additional records may be found among later records of the same court or in any court of higher jurisdiction. Decisions made in the diocesan and archdeaconry courts in Wales could be appealed to the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and then to the Court of Arches (of Canterbury). Final appeals from all courts were taken to the Pope until 1533. They were then taken to the Court of Delegates until 1832, after which the Privy Council handled them. | ||
=== Counties and Courts === | === Counties and Courts === | ||
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Here is a list of the counties of Wales and the courts that had primary jurisdiction over all or part of them: (Click on a county name to learn more.) | Here is a list of the counties of Wales and the courts that had primary jurisdiction over all or part of them: (Click on a county name to learn more.) | ||
{| style="width: 592px; height: 441px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="592 | {| style="width: 592px; height: 441px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="592" | ||
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| '''COUNTY''' | | '''COUNTY''' | ||
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== Post-1857 Probate Courts == | == Post-1857 Probate Courts == | ||
On 11 January 1858, a network of courts called the Principal Probate Registry replaced all ecclesiastical probate courts. All wills and administrations were probated at district courts or at a central court in London called the Principal Registry. Online indexes available 1861-1941 for both wills and administrations at ancestry.com under search Tax, Criminal, Land & Wills records [http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=36 Will and Administration Searching] | On 11 January 1858, a network of courts called the Principal Probate Registry replaced all ecclesiastical probate courts. All wills and administrations were then probated at district courts or at a central court in London called the Principal Registry. Online indexes available 1861-1941 for both wills and administrations at ancestry.com under search Tax, Criminal, Land & Wills records [http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=36 Will and Administration Searching] | ||
=== Estate Duty Wills and Administrations === | === Estate Duty Wills and Administrations === | ||
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*Testator’s given name(s) | *Testator’s given name(s) | ||
'''Estate Duty Records.''' A national index of estate duty registers makes it possible to search for a probate even when the ancestor’s residence is not known. These indexes contain the names of the testator and the executor(s) and the court which proved the will or administration. The indexes and abstracts are on film in the Family History Library. They have been indexed 1796-1903 on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/DeathDutyStartSearchServlet findmypast.co.uk] under the Births, marriages, and deaths tab and then under deaths and then under Index to death duty registers 1796-1903. | '''Estate Duty Records.''' A national index of estate duty registers makes it possible to search for a probate even when the ancestor’s residence is not known. These indexes contain the names of the testator and the executor(s) and the court which proved the will or administration. The indexes and abstracts are on film in the Family History Library. They have been indexed 1796-1903 on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/DeathDutyStartSearchServlet findmypast.co.uk] under the Births, marriages, and deaths tab and then under deaths and then under Index to death duty registers 1796-1903. | ||
'''Principal Probate Registry.'''From 1858, all the wills and administrations that were proved in any of the district courts in Wales were indexed in the ''Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration'' made in the Principal Registry (see England and Wales Principal Probate Registry Including: General Index 1858–1957 Principal Registry 1858–1925 District Courts 1858–1925 in this section). The indexes include an abstract of the probate document with the date proved and the name of the court in which it was proved. | '''Principal Probate Registry.'''From 1858, all the wills and administrations that were proved in any of the district courts in Wales were indexed in the ''Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration'' made in the Principal Registry (see England and Wales Principal Probate Registry Including: General Index 1858–1957 Principal Registry 1858–1925 District Courts 1858–1925 in this section). The indexes include an abstract of the probate document with the date proved and the name of the court in which it was proved. | ||