Ireland Probate Records: Difference between revisions

*'''1595-1858''' {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|3460908|Ireland, Diocesan and Prerogative Wills & Administrations Indexes, 1595-1858}} at FamilySearch - [[Ireland, Diocesan and Prerogative Wills & Administrations Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images

*'''1858-1920''' {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|1921305|Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920}} at FamilySearch - [[Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images

*'''1858-1920''' {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|4496112|Ireland, Original Will Registers, 1858-1920}} at FamilySearch - [[Ireland, Original Will Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images

*'''Wills''', a dated, signed and witnessed document setting out the deceased's bequests. These were the most informative of the probate documents since they were likely to name heirs, give relationships, occupations, places of residence, ownership of property and various details relating to the disposition of a personal estate. There were several types of wills, holograph, nuncupative etc., a good description of these is found in Wills and Their Whereabouts by Anthony J. Camp, 1974 (FamilySearch Library British {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|942 S2wa|disp=Ref. 942 S2wa 1974}}). The Prerogative wills were transcribed into bound Will Books after they were deposited in the Public Record Office.  

For a discussion of probate documents and their availability, see Rosemary Ffolliott and Eileen O'Byrne, "Wills and Administrations" in ''Irish Genealogy: A Record Finder'', edited by Donal F. Begley. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 D27i|disp=book 941.5 D27i.)}}

From 1858 there is a calendar or index of the grants of probate and letters of administration for the Principal Probate Registry and in the several district registries. Produced by the Principal Probate Registry, Dublin, this calendar is arranged alphabetically by the name of the testator. The FamilySearch Library has a copy on {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|217698|title-id|disp=46 rolls of film}}. For each entry the calendar tells the testator's name; the executor's name; the court where the will was registered; and the deceased person's name, occupation, date & place of death. The calendars held at the National Archives, Dublin, only include the district registries of Armagh, Belfast & Londonderry to 1918.

*Camp, Anthony J. ''Wills and Their Whereabouts''. 4th ed. London: Anthony J. Camp, 1974. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|413992|title-id|disp=book Ref 942 S2wa.)}}

*''Irish Probates Register''. Typescript. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch Library, 1979. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 P2gs|disp=book Reg. 941.5 P2gs.)}}

*Phillimore, W. P. W., and Gertrude Thrift, eds. ''Indexes to Irish Wills. 1909-20''. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|6036097|film|disp=book 941.5 P22i 1970; fiche 6036097 nos. 1-10}}.)

*Vicars, Sir Arthur, ed. ''Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810''. 1897. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1967. {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|417479|title-id|disp=FS Library book book 941.5 P22v 1967; fiche 6026394.)}} Online at: [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/35935-index-to-the-prerogative-wills-of-ireland-1536-1810?offset=19 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://archive.org/details/indextoprerogati00vica Internet Archive], [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61640 Ancestry] - index & images ($).

{{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|417479|title-id|disp=Most probate index entries give the name and residence of the deceased}} and the year of the probate.

*'''[http://sources.nli.ie Sources]''', a database catalogue containing references to many copy wills found in various archives and libraries. Contains the entirety of Hayes, Richard J. [[Hayes Manuscript and Periodical Sources for Irish Research|''Manuscript Sources for the History of Irish Civilization.'']] (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 A5h|disp=book 941.5 A5h}}.).

*'''Public Record Office of Northern Ireland'''. ''Card Index to Wills in the Several Collections Held at the Public Record Office, Belfast 1536-1920.'' (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|377738|title-id|disp=film 1565572-75 and 1565578}}.) This index was filmed by the FamilySearch Library in 1990. The index lists many copy wills and other probate records found at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. The index is listed in the Place Search of the catalog under IRELAND - PROBATE RECORDS - INDEXES. Copies of the wills listed in the index can be obtained from the Public Record Office or can be viewed on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. The library's copies of the wills are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under:

*'''Ireland, Public Record Office'''. ''Testamentary Documents Card Index, Seventeenth to Twentieth Centuries.'' This card index lists surviving original wills and copy wills that were collected after the destruction of the Public Record Office in 1922. These wills and copies of wills are now on file at the National Archives. The 1928 version of the index is published in Public Record Office, Dublin, The Fifty-Sixth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and Keeper of the State Papers in Ireland (Dublin, ireland: Stationery Office, 1931; FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|0990493|film|disp=book 941.5 A5r; film 0990493 item 8 and 0100239 item 4; fiche 6023597-602}}). In 1990, the FS Library filmed the index. The index is listed in the Place Search of the catalog under IRELAND - PROBATE RECORDS - INDEXES. Some copies of wills referenced in the index are also on film at the library. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under IRELAND - PROBATE RECORDS.

*Eustace, P. Beryl, ed. vol. 1, 1708-45 and vol. 2, 1746-85; and Eilish Ellis, ed. vol. 3, 1785-1832. ''Registry of Deeds, Dublin: Abstracts of Wills.'' Dublin, Ireland: Stationery Office, 1954-. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 P22e|disp=book 941.5 P22e; vols. 1 and 2 only are on film 896,887.)}} These volumes contain abstracts of copies of wills registered after probate in the Registry of Deeds.

*'''Index to many abstracts and copies of wills in the Genealogical Office of Ireland'''. A copy of this index can be found in P. Beryl Eustace, comp., ''Index of Will Abstracts in the Genealogical Office, Dublin'' (Dublin, Ireland: Stationery Office, 1948; FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|286097|title-id|disp=book 941.5 S2eu; film 990430 item 4}}.)

*'''Indexes and registers held by the Inland Revenue office''', London of Irish wills and administrations proved between 1828 and 1879. ''Commissioners of Inland Revenue, Irish Will Indexes, 1838-79'' (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|232755|title-id|disp=film 597268-72;}} indexes for 1862-63 are missing) and in any case the indexes from 1858 onwards add nothing to what can already be found in the printed calendars which were published from that year on, see further. These indexes record the name of the testator, the name and residence of the executor, the court in which the will was proved, and the folio number of the original will. ''Commissioners of Inland Revenue, Irish Administration Indexes, 1828-79'' (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|232755|title-id|disp=film 597278-81}}; indexes for 1830-31 and 1851 are missing) gives the name and sometimes residence of the deceased, the name and residence of the administrator, the name of the court where the administration was granted, and the folio number of the original administration. The will and admon registers - on which the indexes are based - survive for the years 1828 to 1839 and are summaries of the originals wills and admons. The registers from 1840 to 1879 are missing, now presumed lost. The existing registers contain names and relationships of heirs and often the death date of the deceased. The registers and indexes are on film at the FamilySearch Library. They are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under IRELAND - PROBATE RECORDS.

*Betham, Sir William.''Genealogical Abstracts [of Prerogative Wills of Ireland]''. Dublin, Ireland: Public Record Office. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|224404|title-id|disp=film 595939-45; 596139-40}}.) This source is arranged alphabetically. An invaluable source for abstracts of all preogative wills up to approximately 1810.

*Betham, Sir William. ''Volume of Abstracts of Grants of Administration, Prerogative, 1595-1802.'' This set of notebooks is at the National Archives. It is not arranged alphabetically. The Genealogical Office has a version that is arranged alphabetically. The FamilySearch Library has a microfilm copy of this alphabetical version, ''Prerogative Court Records'', Dublin, Ireland (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|464928|title-id|disp=film 100114 item 2}}). See above for comment on usefulness.

*Burke, Sir John Bernard. ''Sir Bernard Burke's Collection of Wills for Forming Irish Pedigrees.'' 42 vols. Belfast, Ireland: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|143389|title-id|disp=film 227866-900}}.) This collection is indexed (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|143389|title-id|disp=film 227866-69}}).

*Clare, Wallace. ''Abstracts from Some Irish Wills.'' (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|222252|title-id|disp=film 477000 item 2}}.) This book provides abstracts of some wills held in the Public Record Office, Kew. It is indexed.

Lt. Col. W. O. Cavenagh made numerous transcripts of many Cavengah and related families wills. These are typescript and contained in the Genealogical Office Mss. 471. This was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|495747|title-id|disp=microfilm 100178}}. <br>

The wills in the Crossle Collection deposited in the Genealogical Office, Dublin (G.O. Mss. 416 418) are indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17 published by the Stationery Office, Dublin. This collection is on two reels of microfilm at the FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100176|film|disp=film 100176 item 1}} (G.O. Mss. 417 418) for the "Drought" family and FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100175|film|disp=microfilm 100175 item 2}} (G.O. Mss. 416) for families of various other surnames.  

The Crossle Collection deposited in the Public Record Office, Dublin is often referred to as the "Smith Books" since many of the extracts relate to the Smith family. These wills and extracts from the Prerogative Grant Books are not indexed in the volume 17 of Analecta Hibernica previously mentioned. This collection was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library in 1969 FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|234637|title-id|disp=film 597127 – 597131}}.  

A third collection is deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Ref. T748 and T283). This collection is mostly will extracts for the time period 1671 1857. This material is indexed in the Report of the Deputy Keeper of Northern Ireland, 1925 Appendix F; 1933 Appendix B; and 1938 45 page 15. (See Wills and Their Whereabouts by Anthony J. Camp, London 1974). This collection was also microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library in 1960, FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|218854|title-id|disp=film 258581}} and FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|218854|title-id|disp=film 247318}}).  

Abstracts of wills made by J. N. C. Atkins Davis are indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17. Several of these wills are for the Prerogative Court. As with many of the collections, these relate to specific families with which the researcher was directly interested. The Davis collection is deposited in the Genealogical Office (G.O. Mss. 380 400) and is contained on two reels of microfilm FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|494972|title-id|disp=film 100143}} and FS Library film{{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|466294|title-id|disp=100144}}. Much of the material is mixed with pedigrees and miscellaneous notes.<br>  

This collection contains over 2,000 abstracts compiled by D. O'Callaghan Fisher circa 1859, many relating to the Prerogative Court. Information in the index is supplemented by information from the 26th Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and Keeper of the State Papers in Ireland (1895). The collection is deposited in the Genealogical Office (G.O. Mss. 139 144, 281) and was microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100172|film|disp=100172 index}} and FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|462274|title-id|disp=microfilms 100173 – 100174}}). <br>

The collection was microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1950. The material relating to the Prerogative Court is mostly contained in Manuscripts 142 143; FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|469457|title-id|disp=microfilm 100235 items 1 2}}). <br>

This collection of Prerogative Wills was compiled by Sir Alfred Irwin and indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17. However, since the will abstracts themselves did not always identify the abstract as taken from the Prerogative Court, this defect is carried over into the index. The collection is mixed in with pedigrees and miscellaneous notes and is handwritten for the most part. The Irwin collection was deposited in the Genealogical Office (G.O. Mss. 432 435 and 438) and was microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1949. It is on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100145|film|disp=microfilms 100145}} (G.O. Mss. 432 435) and {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100146|film|disp=microfilm 100146}} (G.O. Mss. 438). <br>

Abstracts of wills made by Edmund Kelly are indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17. Several appear to be from the Prerogative Court and many of the wills are for the surname "Kelly." This collection is also deposited in the Genealogical Office (G.O. Mss. 415) and is available on FS Library microfilm {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|495729|title-id|disp=100175}}. <br>

The Leslie manuscripts were compiled by Canon James B. Leslie and there are several collections of his work deposited in the various record repositories of Ireland. Extracts of about 700 wills and genealogical notes on numerous families for the 17th 19th centuries are deposited in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland, Belfast (Ref. T1075). This collection is on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library (microfilm 258,614–258,616). Details of this collection are given in the PRONI special list, no. 150. An additional collection of Canon Leslie's is deposited at PRONI (Ref. T305 and T305A). This collection is also on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|218854|title-id|disp=microfilm 247319}}.  

The Alfred Molony collection mainly relates to wills for the surname "Molony" and the abstracts were taken from the Prerogative Court and the diocesan courts of Limerick and Killaloe. Entries from this collection are indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17 (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 B2ah|disp=book # 941.5 B2ah}}). This collection is in the Genealogical Office (G.O. Mss. 456 466) and is on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|462472|title-id|disp=microfilm 100149}} (G.O. Mss. 456 457) and FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|462472|title-id|disp=microfilm 100150}} (G.O. Mss. 460 466). <br>

The Phillips collection is deposited at the Public Record Office, Dublin and was microfilmed in January, 1951 by the FamilySearch Library ({{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|101018|film|disp=microfilm 101018}}). The collection consists of testamentary documents, original wills and administrations. It is alphabetically arranged by box and there are several boxes to each roll of microfilm. A collection of "Large wills in the Prerogative Office" was also microfilmed (FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|101027|film|disp=microfilm 101027}}) and has an index at the beginning. These are contained in the Phillips Mss. Vol. 214.<br>  

These were abstracted and indexed by P. Beryl Eustace (vol. 1, 2 and 3) and Eilish Ellis (vol. 3). They were published by the Irish Manuscripts <br>Commission, Dublin volume 1: 1956, volume 2: 1954, and volume 3: 1984. Index volumes 1 and 2 of the Registry of Deeds Abstracts of Wills are also on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|941.5 P22e|disp=book 941.5 P22e}}.  

Abstracts of wills compiled by Thomas Ulick Sadlier, Registrar and Deputy Ulster King of Arms contains a number of Prerogative Wills. Sadlier was assisted by Major V.C.T. Hodson. This collection is deposited at the Genealogical Office (Mss. 424 427) and was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100177|film|disp=microfilm 100177}}. Most of the volumes contain indexes at the end of each volume. There are also a few miscellaneous prerogative wills in G.O. Mss. 700 on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|100178|film|disp=microfilm 100178}}. <br>

The Stewart collection consists of copies of extracts of Prerogative wills for the time period 1655 1812 and principally for families in the Diocese of Down and/or families who were living in the counties of Antrim (Belfast), Down<br>, and Dublin. The Prerogative wills are not always noted as taken from that court. A copy of the collection is deposited at the Public Record Office, Northern Ireland, Belfast (Ref. T403). A typescript copy obtained by the FamilySearch Library was microfilmed and is available at the FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|1183517|film|disp=microfilm 1183517 item 2}}.  

The Swanzy Collection of wills deposited in the Genealogical Office, Dublin (G.O. Mss. 420) was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|495742|title-id|disp=microfilm 100176 item 2}}. These typewritten Prerogative will abstracts are mixed in with abstracts from the diocesan courts and are roughly in alphabetical order. They are noted with the term "P. Will" or "Prerog. will" following the name of the testator. These wills are indexed in Analecta Hibernica Vol. 17. <br>

A sizeable collection of will abstracts amounting to approximately 4,000 was compiled by Miss Gertrude Thrift. This collection is deposited at the Public Record Office of Ireland, Dublin and was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|592949|film|disp=microfilm 592949 956}} and{{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|234649|title-id|disp=microfilm 596408 419}}. This material is indexed in the Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records and Keeper of State Records in Ireland, 55th Report pp. 69 90 and 57th Report pp. 325 420. Not all of the will abstracts are for the Prerogative Court.<br>  

The abstracts from this collection relating only to families living in the Cork area were printed and published in the Albert E. Casey Collection. Volume fourteen of this fifteen volume set contains the will abstracts for counties Cork and Kerry and covers the entire time period the Prerogative Court was in existence (1536 1857). The wills are indexed by every name mentioned in the abstract at the end of volume fourteen. However, the index is defective and some entries are missing. The extracts in this collection are typewritten and the printing reduced standard 8 1/2 x 11 pages to accommodate printing four to a single page. Thus, the printing in these volumes is very small and may require the use of a reading glass. This collection (Casey's) was microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library and volume 14 is on FamilySearch Library {{<span class="error">Expansion depth limit exceeded</span>|259184|title-id|disp=microfilm 823809 item 2}}. Again, this material was printed only for the Cork area families, the remaining extracts were not published in this work.  

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