Essex Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{Essex-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England_Probate_Records|here]].
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== Getting Started  ==


''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. Probate records include [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]] and [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]]. This article is about probate records in Essex. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
=== Essex Probate Courts [NOTE: THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION; DO NOT DELETE!!]<br>  ===


=== 1858 to the Present  ===
The following probate courts&nbsp;had some jurisdiction over the county of Essex prior to 1858:


Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Essex]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester]]
*[[Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[Court of the Archdeacon of Middlesex (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of London]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Bocking]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Good Easter]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster (Abbey)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Writtle with Roxwell]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Liberty of the Sokens]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Havering-atte-Bower - records available]]
*[[Prerogative Court of Canterbury]]


==== Online Records ====
=== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Essex<br>  ===


*'''1858-1957''' {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at FamilySearch - [[England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
Probate records for the Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire division), the Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester, Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, Court of the Archdeacon of Middlesex (Essex & Hertfordshire division), Court of the Bishop of London, Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Bocking, Court of the Peculiar of the Sokens, and the Courts of the Peculiars of the Deanery of Good Easter, and Writtle with Roxwell are at the Essex Record Office.  
*'''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904/ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry
*'''1858-2019''' [https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019] at Findmypast


=== Before 1858  ===


Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Essex, follow these steps:
The records for the Royal Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey are at the City of Westminster Archives Department.<br>


==== Step 1. Search Indexes ====
=== Essex Parishes and Their Probate Jurisdictions <br> ===


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Essex. Search these indexes first:
This list of Essex parishes contains a prioritized list of courts with jurisdiction over each parish. Click on the letter the parish name begins with to see which courts to search for probates of persons living in or owning property in that parish.  


County-wide general will indexes for Essex County are now available online, making Essex County one of the foremost in facilitating probate research in  England. 
{| width="615" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions|A]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with B|B]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with C|C]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with D|D]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with E|E]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with F|F]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with G|G]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with H|H]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with I&nbsp|I]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with J|J]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with K|K]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with L|L]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with M|M]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with N|N]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with O|O]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with P|P]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with Q|Q]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with R|R]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with S|S]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with T|T]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with U|U]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with V|V]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with W|W]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with X|X]]
| [[Essex, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with Z|Z]]
|}


The following sites index significant portions of Essex wills:
=== Probate Indexes  ===


*Essex County Record Office's outstanding wills index from [https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/] consolidates into one single index, the county's wills. Images have been uploaded up to 1720.<ref>'Where there's a will: major update to Essex Ancestors,' ''Essex Record Office Blog,'' 30 October 2014, http://www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/where-theres-a-will-major-update-to-essex-ancestors/.</ref>
Before searching probate records, search indexes.  
*[https://www.findmypast.com/articles/england-and-wales-published-wills-and-probate-indexes-1300-1858-volumes-available/essex Wills at Chelmsford, 1400-1858] at Findmypast ($).
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/essex-wills-beneficiaries-index-1675-1858 Essex Wills Beneficiaries Index, 1675-1858] at Findmypast ($).


The Essex County Record Office previously compiled and published a complete name index covering wills and administrations from the '''''first eight'' '''Essex County probate court jurisdictions listed above (through the Liberty of Sokens).  The index is available in three volumes online through the National Wills Index and in book form at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City:


*Emmison, F. G., ed.  ''[Index to] Wills at Chelmsford 1400-1858''.  3 vols. London: s.n., 1961, by the British Record Society. Digital versions online at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($); {{FSC|247479|title-id|disp=FS Library Book 942 B4b v. 78, 79, 84; microfilms 0962739 and 0962740; microfiche 6073796, 6073797, and 6073802}}.


*Transcriptions of Essex wills from various probate court jurisdictions at <br>[http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/probate/index.htm http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/probate/index.htm].
==== Printed Indexes  ====


Always re-visit these websites as new, updated data may periodically be posted online.  
If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors,&nbsp;look in the '''published indexes '''listed here.&nbsp; The&nbsp;links are to their listings&nbsp;in the Family History Library Catalog:<br>


If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors, look in the '''published indexes '''listed here.
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
 
|-
Other printed indexes are found listed on the court pages.  '''Click on the court name links above.'''  
| align="left" | '''Index Call #'''  
 
| align="left" | '''Title of Index'''  
Did you find a reference to a probate record?
| align="left" | '''Court and Type of record indexed'''
 
| align="left" | '''Index relates to'''  
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
| align="left" | '''Notes'''
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
|-
 
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=568782&disp=Archdeaconry+Court+of+Canterbury%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942.23 P22bgl] 4 vols. microfiche #6026693-6026696
==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1712&nbsp;: index of wills, listed alphabetically by '''surnames'''  
 
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry&nbsp;of&nbsp;Canterbury
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. 
| align="left" | Registered wills on film&nbsp; beginning with film # [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=232273&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Court+of+the+Arc%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188913]
 
| align="left" | -
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 are two outstanding topographical dictionaries online:  
|-
 
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=560704&disp=Archdeaconry+Court+of+Canterbury%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942.23 P22bg] 4 vols. microfiche #6026697-6026700
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain] - the 1870 Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales online
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1712&nbsp;: index of wills, listed alphabetically by '''locality'''  
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=445 British-History] - has Lewis' ''Topographical Dictionary of England''
| align="left" | &nbsp;Court of the Archdeaconry of &nbsp;Canterbury
 
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=232273&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Court+of+the+Arc%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188913]
These gazetteers will either tell you:  
| align="left" | -
 
|-
*A place is a parish, or
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=472017&disp=Archdeaconry+Court+of+Canterbury%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942.23 P22bgm] 2 vols. microfilm #1559403
*What parish it is a part of, or
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1958: index to original wills
*What place it is near.
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry&nbsp; Canterbury
 
| align="left" | Original wills on film&nbsp; beginning with&nbsp;film&nbsp;# [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=387111&disp=Wills%2C+account+papers%2C+inventory+pap%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1042603]
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.  
| align="left" | -
 
|-
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=512936&disp=Archdeaconry+Court+of+Canterbury%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942.23 P22bgo] 2 vols. microfiche #6035798-799
 
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1713-1858: index of wills, listed alphabetically by '''locality'''
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury
 
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=232273&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Court+of+the+Arc%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188913]
Once you have identified the parish where your ancestor lived or died, learn which courts had jurisdiction over it. Then search indexes for those courts. Every town and parish in Sussex fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Here are links to an alphabetical list of Essex parishes containing a prioritized list of courts with jurisdiction over each. To see which courts to search for probates of persons living in or owning property in particular parish, click on the letter the parish name begins with.  
| align="left" | -
 
|-
{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="469"
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=512959&disp=Archdeaconry+Court+of+Canterbury%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942.23 P22bgp] 2 vols. microfiche #6035796-6035797
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent,1713-1858: index of wills, listed alphabetically by '''surname'''  
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=232273&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Court+of+the+Arc%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188913]
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=237842&disp=Index+of+wills+and+administrations+now+p%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol. 65] microfilm #962735 and microfiche #6073783 (2fiche)
| align="left" | Index of Wills and Administrations now Preserved in the Probate Registry at Canterbury
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry and&nbsp;Court&nbsp;of the Bishop of Canterbury
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=231770&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188831] and # [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=261612&disp=Probate+records%2C+1542%2D1857%2C+Kent+C%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0189226]
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=237231&disp=Index+of+wills+and+administrations+now+p%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol. 50]
| align="left" | Index of Wills and Administrations now Preserved in the Probate Registry at Canterbury 1396-1558, 1640-1650
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry and Court of the Bishop of&nbsp;Canterbury
| align="left" | Wills and administrations on film&nbsp;beginning with film&nbsp;# [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=231770&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0188831] and # [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=261612&disp=Probate+records%2C+1542%2D1857%2C+Kent+C%20%20&columns=*,0,0 0189226]
| align="left" | also in book 942.23 B4ka v. 6 microfilm #0973302 &amp; microfiche #6072890 (7 fiche)
|-
| align="left" | Microfilm #[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=366218&disp=Archdeaconry+of+Rochester+probate+indice%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1551205 ]items 2-11 and [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=366218&disp=Archdeaconry+of+Rochester+probate+indice%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1551178] items 1-5
| align="left" | Archdeaconry Court of Rochester Probate Indices 1440-1857
| align="left" | Courts of the Archdeaconry &amp; Consistory Courts of Rochester
| align="left" | Wills and administrations on film beginning with film # 188771
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | 942.23 B4ka vol. 9 microfilm number 973304 it. 2 &amp; microfiche #6072893 (3 fiche)
| align="left" | Index of Wills Proved in Rochester Consistory Court 1440-1561
| align="left" | Court of the Consistory of Rochester
| align="left" | Wills and administrations on film beginning with film&nbsp;# 188771
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | Microfilm #1544549 items 13
| align="left" | Kent Index to Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1701-1900
| align="left" | Prerogative Court of Canterbury
| align="left" | Wills on film&nbsp; beginning with film &nbsp;# 91890
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | Microfiche #6341867 (5 fiche) and 6341868 (2fiche)
| align="left" | KAO--index to wills, administrations, inventories and bonds of the Archbishops Peculiar Deaneries of Arches (London), Shoreham and Croydon
| align="left" | Peculiar Deaneries of Arches (London), Shoreham and Croydon
| align="left" | Wills, administrations, inventories and bonds on film&nbsp;beginning with film # 91789
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | Microfilm #1544549 items 13
| align="left" | Kent Index to Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1701-1900
| align="left" | Prerogative Court of Canterbury
| align="left" | Wills on film beginning with&nbsp;film &nbsp;# 91890
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | Microfilm #1544555 its. 30-31 &amp; 1544588 it. 1
| align="left" | Notebooks containing lists of wills, searches and depositions for Kent families, dating from 1560-1857
| align="left" | various
| align="left" | various
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | 942.23 B4ka vol. 3 microfilm #874099 item 3 &amp; microfiche #6072887 (2 fiche)
| align="left" | Sede vacante wills&nbsp;: a calendar of wills proved before the commissary of the prior and chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury, during vacancies in the primacy, with an appendix containing transcripts of archiepiscopal and other wills of importance
| align="left" | various
| align="left" | various
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | 942.23 H25k no. 9, 13, 20, 21
| align="left" | Weald of East Kent&nbsp;: will abstracts from the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Kent
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury
| align="left" | Wills on film beginning with film&nbsp; # 1042603
| align="left" | v. 1. Parish of Benenden, will numbers 1-159 -- v. 2. Parish of Bethersden, will numbers 160-323 -- v. 3. Parish of Biddenden, will numbers 324-471 -- v. 4. Parish of Cranbrook, will numbers 472-663
|-
| align="left" | Microfiche #6341166
| align="left" | The Weald of East Kent&nbsp;: will abstracts from the archdeaconry court of Canterbury, Kent, volumes 21-50 (KAO&nbsp;: PRC 17), index of will abstracts
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury
| align="left" | Wills on film beginning with&nbsp;film # 1042603
| align="left" | Contains a surname index (A-Y) of all persons cited in the Kentish will abstracts (1536-1597) in the parishes of Benenden, Bethersden, Biddenden, Cranbrook, Frittenden, Goudhurst, Halden, Hawkhurst, Headcorn, Marden, Newenden, Rolvenden, Sandhurst, Smarden, Staplehurst, Tenterden, Wittersham and Woodchurch.
|-
| align="left" | CD-ROM no. 3251
| align="left" | The West Kent probate index&nbsp;: wills and administrations for all courts and peculiars in the Diocese of Rochester 1750-1858
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry of Rochester; Court of the Consistory of Rochester; Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Shoreham; Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe
| align="left" | various films; Consistory of Rochester wills on film beginning with film # 189131; Archdeaconry of Rochester wills on film beginning with film # 994318; Peculiar of Shoreham wills on film beginning with film # 91791; Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe wills on film beginning with film # 727286
| align="left" | This can be accessed from the Family History Library Catalog if accessing computers in the Family History Library
|-
|-
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions|A]] 
| align="left" | Microfiche #6204480
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'B' Parishes|B ]]
| align="left" | Will and register abstracts of families and people, mostly of Kent, letter A
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'C' Parishes|C]] 
| align="left" | -  
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-F|D-F]]
| align="left" | -  
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'G' Parishes|G ]]
| align="left" | Will and parish register abstracts for individuals whose surname begins with the letter "A". <br>
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes H-K|H-K]]
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'L' Parishes|L]] 
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes M-N|M-N]]
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes O-R|O-R]]
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'S' Parishes|S]] 
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes T-V|T-V]]
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes W-Z|W-Z]]
|}
|}


==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
<br>  
 
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:
 
*{{FSC|England, Essex - Probate records|subject|subject-id=1505677399|disp=Essex England Probate Records}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - some images may only be available at a [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.]<br>
*Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.
 
== Essex Probate Courts  ==
 
The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the county of Essex prior to 1858.  Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes. 
 
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Essex]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Good Easter]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Writtle with Roxwell]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Bocking]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Liberty of the Sokens]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Havering-atte-Bower]] (or Hornchurch)
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster (Abbey)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Essex<br>  ==
 
Probate records for the first eight courts listed above are located at the [https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate Essex Record Office]. The additional four courts' records are located in Greater London-based record offices (click links to view).


Records and indexes for each court are also available in the collection of the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog ]for the title of the court or the court as an author.  <br>
=== Post-1857 Probate Records  ===


== References ==
Beginning in 1858, the government took over the&nbsp;settlement of estates and all&nbsp;wills are now probated through the Principal Probate Registry system.&nbsp; The system consists of 11 district registry offices and&nbsp;18 sub-district registries, located throughout England and Wales, and&nbsp;the principal registry&nbsp;office located in London.&nbsp; The records are available through the office of Her Majesty's Courts Service.&nbsp; To learn more, go to the [http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/civil/probate/index.htm HMCS website].
{{reflist}}


{{Essex}
A&nbsp;country-wide surname index to the records is available, so it is much easier to look for post-1857 wills.&nbsp; The [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=208102&disp=Calendar+of+the+grants+of+probate+and+le%20%20&columns=*,0,0 indexes] for 1858-1957 and the records for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>


[[Category:Essex Probate Records]]
[[Category:England]]

Revision as of 17:08, 13 March 2009

For an explanation of probate records in England, click here.

Essex Probate Courts [NOTE: THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION; DO NOT DELETE!!]
[edit | edit source]

The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over the county of Essex prior to 1858:

Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Essex
[edit | edit source]

Probate records for the Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire division), the Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester, Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, Court of the Archdeacon of Middlesex (Essex & Hertfordshire division), Court of the Bishop of London, Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Bocking, Court of the Peculiar of the Sokens, and the Courts of the Peculiars of the Deanery of Good Easter, and Writtle with Roxwell are at the Essex Record Office.


The records for the Royal Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey are at the City of Westminster Archives Department.

Essex Parishes and Their Probate Jurisdictions
[edit | edit source]

This list of Essex parishes contains a prioritized list of courts with jurisdiction over each parish. Click on the letter the parish name begins with to see which courts to search for probates of persons living in or owning property in that parish.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z

Probate Indexes[edit | edit source]

Before searching probate records, search indexes.


Printed Indexes[edit | edit source]

If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors, look in the published indexes listed here.  The links are to their listings in the Family History Library Catalog:

Index Call # Title of Index Court and Type of record indexed Index relates to Notes
942.23 P22bgl 4 vols. microfiche #6026693-6026696 Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1712 : index of wills, listed alphabetically by surnames Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury Registered wills on film  beginning with film # 0188913 -
942.23 P22bg 4 vols. microfiche #6026697-6026700 Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1712 : index of wills, listed alphabetically by locality  Court of the Archdeaconry of  Canterbury Registered wills on film beginning with film # 0188913 -
942.23 P22bgm 2 vols. microfilm #1559403 Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1449-1958: index to original wills Court of the Archdeaconry  Canterbury Original wills on film  beginning with film # 1042603 -
942.23 P22bgo 2 vols. microfiche #6035798-799 Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent, 1713-1858: index of wills, listed alphabetically by locality Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury Registered wills on film beginning with film # 0188913 -
942.23 P22bgp 2 vols. microfiche #6035796-6035797 Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, county of Kent,1713-1858: index of wills, listed alphabetically by surname Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury Registered wills on film beginning with film # 0188913 -
942 B4b vol. 65 microfilm #962735 and microfiche #6073783 (2fiche) Index of Wills and Administrations now Preserved in the Probate Registry at Canterbury Court of the Archdeaconry and Court of the Bishop of Canterbury Registered wills on film beginning with film # 0188831 and # 0189226 -
942 B4b vol. 50 Index of Wills and Administrations now Preserved in the Probate Registry at Canterbury 1396-1558, 1640-1650 Court of the Archdeaconry and Court of the Bishop of Canterbury Wills and administrations on film beginning with film # 0188831 and # 0189226 also in book 942.23 B4ka v. 6 microfilm #0973302 & microfiche #6072890 (7 fiche)
Microfilm #1551205 items 2-11 and 1551178 items 1-5 Archdeaconry Court of Rochester Probate Indices 1440-1857 Courts of the Archdeaconry & Consistory Courts of Rochester Wills and administrations on film beginning with film # 188771 -
942.23 B4ka vol. 9 microfilm number 973304 it. 2 & microfiche #6072893 (3 fiche) Index of Wills Proved in Rochester Consistory Court 1440-1561 Court of the Consistory of Rochester Wills and administrations on film beginning with film # 188771 -
Microfilm #1544549 items 13 Kent Index to Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1701-1900 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills on film  beginning with film  # 91890 -
Microfiche #6341867 (5 fiche) and 6341868 (2fiche) KAO--index to wills, administrations, inventories and bonds of the Archbishops Peculiar Deaneries of Arches (London), Shoreham and Croydon Peculiar Deaneries of Arches (London), Shoreham and Croydon Wills, administrations, inventories and bonds on film beginning with film # 91789 -
Microfilm #1544549 items 13 Kent Index to Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1701-1900 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills on film beginning with film  # 91890 -
Microfilm #1544555 its. 30-31 & 1544588 it. 1 Notebooks containing lists of wills, searches and depositions for Kent families, dating from 1560-1857 various various -
942.23 B4ka vol. 3 microfilm #874099 item 3 & microfiche #6072887 (2 fiche) Sede vacante wills : a calendar of wills proved before the commissary of the prior and chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury, during vacancies in the primacy, with an appendix containing transcripts of archiepiscopal and other wills of importance various various -
942.23 H25k no. 9, 13, 20, 21 Weald of East Kent : will abstracts from the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Kent Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills on film beginning with film  # 1042603 v. 1. Parish of Benenden, will numbers 1-159 -- v. 2. Parish of Bethersden, will numbers 160-323 -- v. 3. Parish of Biddenden, will numbers 324-471 -- v. 4. Parish of Cranbrook, will numbers 472-663
Microfiche #6341166 The Weald of East Kent : will abstracts from the archdeaconry court of Canterbury, Kent, volumes 21-50 (KAO : PRC 17), index of will abstracts Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury Wills on film beginning with film # 1042603 Contains a surname index (A-Y) of all persons cited in the Kentish will abstracts (1536-1597) in the parishes of Benenden, Bethersden, Biddenden, Cranbrook, Frittenden, Goudhurst, Halden, Hawkhurst, Headcorn, Marden, Newenden, Rolvenden, Sandhurst, Smarden, Staplehurst, Tenterden, Wittersham and Woodchurch.
CD-ROM no. 3251 The West Kent probate index : wills and administrations for all courts and peculiars in the Diocese of Rochester 1750-1858 Court of the Archdeaconry of Rochester; Court of the Consistory of Rochester; Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Shoreham; Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe various films; Consistory of Rochester wills on film beginning with film # 189131; Archdeaconry of Rochester wills on film beginning with film # 994318; Peculiar of Shoreham wills on film beginning with film # 91791; Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe wills on film beginning with film # 727286 This can be accessed from the Family History Library Catalog if accessing computers in the Family History Library
Microfiche #6204480 Will and register abstracts of families and people, mostly of Kent, letter A - - Will and parish register abstracts for individuals whose surname begins with the letter "A".


Post-1857 Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Beginning in 1858, the government took over the settlement of estates and all wills are now probated through the Principal Probate Registry system.  The system consists of 11 district registry offices and 18 sub-district registries, located throughout England and Wales, and the principal registry office located in London.  The records are available through the office of Her Majesty's Courts Service.  To learn more, go to the HMCS website.

A country-wide surname index to the records is available, so it is much easier to look for post-1857 wills.  The indexes for 1858-1957 and the records for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.

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