Durham Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{Durham-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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| link2=[[Durham, England Genealogy|Durham]]
| link3=
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| link5=[[Durham_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
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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 Durham. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
== Durham Probate Courts  ==
 
The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over County Durham before 1858:
 
*The Court of the Palatine and Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
*
 
== Court Jurisdictions  ==
 
Here is a list of Durham parishes beginning with A through C and the pre-1858 ecclesiastical courts that had jurisdiction over them.  Go to the lists for parishes D-H, I-R, and S-Z.  
 
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="95%" align="center" border="1"
|-
! style="background: #ffdead" width="15%" | PARISH
! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | PRIMARY COURT
! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
|-
| Auckland St Andrew
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
|
2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
 
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Auckland St Anne
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Auckland St Helen
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Aycliffe
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Barnard Castle
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Belmont
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Benfieldside
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Billingham
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


=== 1858 to the Present  ===
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==== Online Records ====
|-
| Birtley
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


* '''1858-1957''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/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 & images
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
* '''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904 England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry($); index
* '''1858-2019''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019] at Findmypast($); index


=== Before 1858  ===
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Durham, follow these steps:
|-
| Bishop Middleham
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Durham. Search these indexes first:
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/ Durham and Northumberland probate records, 1527-1857]. Index is wonderful!
|-
**[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/intro.php North East Inheritance database (pre-1858 Durham Probate Records)]. To learn more about the project and search the index.
| Bishopton
*[https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12122 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1383-1858]
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
*{{FSC|1928667|item|disp=Sunderland Wills and Invetories Transcribed 1601-1650 with 90 probate records}}
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


<br>Did you find a reference to a probate record?
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
|-
| Bishopwearmouth [St Michael and All Angels]
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


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 is a link to the 1872 ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales'' online:
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/ Vision of Britain]
|-
| Bishopwearmouth St Thomas
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


The gazetteer will either tell you:
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


*A place is a parish, or
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
*What parish it is a part of, or
*What place it is near.


If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.
|-
| Boldon
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


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 Durham fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Click on a link below for the letter the parish begins with.
|-
| Brancepeth
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


<br>The whole of the county of Durham was under the primary jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)]]. This court should be searched first when looking for the probate of a deceased person who lived or owned property in Durham. Additional courts listed below also had jurisdiction over Durham. If you do not find a probate in the Court of the Bishop of Durham, search those additional courts.<br>
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:
|-
| Byers Green
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


*{{FSC|England, Durham - Probate records|subject|subject-id=1190955462|disp=Durham 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>
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
*Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.


== Durham Probate Courts ==
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Carlton
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Castle Eden
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Chester le Street
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Cockfield
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Collierley
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Coniscliffe
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
| Coundon
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
 
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
 
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


The following court had jurisdiction over county Durham before 1858.
|-
| Crook
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


*[[Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)]]<br>
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York  
*[[Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York]]
*[[Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


== Durham Probate Collections ==
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
The following collections contain various records relating to probate from County Durham.
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Allertonshire Peculiar Administration Bonds and Inventories - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Allertonshire Peculiar Stray Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Probate Inventories - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Registered Wills - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Renunciations - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham, Dean and Chapter of Durham's Allerton and Allertonshire Original Wills, Inventories and Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham, Diocese of Durham Original Wills - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[England, Durham, Probate Commissions, Monitions and Citations - FamilySearch Historical Records]]


== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts of Durham  ==
|-
| Croxdale
| Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
| 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York


The earliest original wills for Durham date from 1540, but there are some registered copy wills for 1526-1534. There are earlier records filed with the superior courts, some dating back to 1311, in the bishop's general serices of act books. There are gaps in the records for early periods; others in poor condition.
4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York


Inventories were prevalent from the earliest period through th efirst quarter of the 18th century. They may be filed with the administration bonds as well as with the original wills. Registered copies are usually indexed and arranged chronologically. Page numbers appear in the upper right corner and testators' names are frequently written in the margins. There may be an inventory written at the end of the copy will and almost always there will be a probate act in Latin indicating when the will was proven.<br>
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


== Other On-line Information ==
<br>
*[https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/ Durham University Special Collection] Durham Probate Records


|}


{{Place|Durham|Probate Records}}
{{England Probate Records}}


{{Template:Pros-NEE}}


[[Category:Durham Probate Records|Probate]]
== Post-1857 Probate Records ==

Revision as of 10:42, 17 March 2009

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

Durham Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over County Durham before 1858:

  • The Court of the Palatine and Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)

Court Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Here is a list of Durham parishes beginning with A through C and the pre-1858 ecclesiastical courts that had jurisdiction over them.  Go to the lists for parishes D-H, I-R, and S-Z.

PARISH PRIMARY COURT SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
Auckland St Andrew Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)

2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Auckland St Anne Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Auckland St Helen Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aycliffe Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Barnard Castle Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Belmont Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Benfieldside Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Billingham Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Birtley Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bishop Middleham Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bishopton Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bishopwearmouth [St Michael and All Angels] Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bishopwearmouth St Thomas Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Boldon Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Brancepeth Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Byers Green Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Carlton Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Castle Eden Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Chester le Street Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Cockfield Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Collierley Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Coniscliffe Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Coundon Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Crook Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Croxdale Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York

3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York

4 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury



Post-1857 Probate Records[edit | edit source]

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