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Wales Probate Records: Difference between revisions
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* 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 arch deaconries 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 Arch deaconry Court of '''Brecon''', and the combined arch deaconries 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, | * 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 Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire were under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Hereford'''. | ||
* 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 arch deaconry 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. | 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 arch deaconry 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. | ||
Original wills in Wales have survived from 1565, depending on the court where they were probated. The courts have a continuous run of wills from then until 1858, when ecclesiastical probate courts were abolished. | Original wills in Wales have survived from 1565, depending on the court where they were probated. The courts have a continuous run of wills from then until 1858, when ecclesiastical probate courts were abolished. | ||
The National Library in Aberystwyth hold copies of wills proved in Welsh ecclesiastical courts: | |||
* '''Bangor''': 1635 - 1858 | |||
* '''Brecon''': 1543 - 1858 | |||
* '''Chester''' (Welsh wills only): 1557 - 1858 | |||
* '''Hawarden''': 1554 - 1858 | |||
* '''Llandaf''': 1568 - 1857 | |||
* '''St Asaph''': 1565 - 1857 | |||
* '''St David's''': 1556 - 1858 | |||
== Post-1857 Probate Courts == | == Post-1857 Probate Courts == | ||