Essex Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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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.  
For a general explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].  


=== 1858 to the Present ===
== Essex Probate Courts ==


Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over the county of Essex prior to 1858:


==== Online Records ====
*[[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 Writtle with Roxwell]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Liberty of the Sokens]]
*[[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]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Havering-atte-Bower - records available]]
*[[Prerogative Court of Canterbury]]


*'''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
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Essex<br> ==
*'''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  ===
Probate records for the Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex &amp; Hertfordshire division), the Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester, Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, Court of the Archdeacon of Middlesex (Essex &amp; 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 [http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/dis/guc.jsp?channelOid=13813&guideOid=14783&guideContentOid=14819 Essex Record Office].


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:
<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:
Here&nbsp;are links to&nbsp;an alphabetical&nbsp;list of Essex parishes containing a prioritized list of courts with jurisdiction over each.&nbsp; 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.  


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. 
{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="432" border="1"
|-
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions|A]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'B' Parishes|B]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'C' Parishes|C]]&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-F|D-F]]&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'G' Parishes|G]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes H-K|H-K]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'L' Parishes|L]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes M-N|M-N]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes O-R|O-R]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'S' Parishes|S]]&nbsp; &nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes T-V|T-V]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes W-Z|W-Z]]&nbsp;
|}


The following sites index significant portions of Essex wills:
<br>


*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>
== Probate 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:
Before&nbsp;looking for a will, you should search an index.  


*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}}.
=== Printed Indexes ===


*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].
If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors,&nbsp;look in the '''published indexes '''listed here.  


Always re-visit these websites as new, updated data may periodically be posted online.  
In the 1960s, The Essex County Record Office, under the direction of F.G. Emmison, compiled a complete [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=247479&disp=Wills+at+Chelmsford+%28Essex+and+East+He%20%20&columns=*,0,0 surname index] covering wills and administrations from&nbsp;the first&nbsp;nine Essex County probate court jurisdictions listed above (trough .  


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


Other printed indexes are found listed on the court pages. '''Click on the court name links above.'''
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1"
|-
| align="left" | '''Index Call #'''
| align="left" | '''Title of Index'''
| align="left" | '''Court and Type of record indexed'''
| align="left" | '''Index relates to'''
| align="left" | '''Notes'''
|-
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=247479&disp=Wills+at+Chelmsford+%28Essex+and+East+He%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol 78, 79 &amp; 84]. microfilm #962739 item 2 &amp; #962740
| align="left" | [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford" [Archdeaconry Court of Essex], 1400-1857&amp;nbsp.
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry&nbsp;of&nbsp;Essex
| align="left" | Index to copy and registered wills on film&nbsp; beginning with film # [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=277961&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 091281]
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=247479&disp=Wills+at+Chelmsford+%28Essex+and+East+He%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol 78-79; 84]. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfiche #6073797-6073798 &amp; 6073802
| align="left" | [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford [Archdeaconry Court of Colchester, county of Essex], 1400-1857&amp;nbsp.
| align="left" | &nbsp;Court of the Archdeaconry of &nbsp;Colchester
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=277892&disp=Probate+records+for+the+court+of+the+Arc%20%20&columns=*,0,0 091248]
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=247479&disp=Wills+at+Chelmsford+%28Essex+and+East+He%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vols 78-79; 84]. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480
| align="left" | [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford [Archdeaconry Court of Middlesex, Essex &amp; Hertfordshire Division, 1538-1858: index to original wills;
| align="left" | Court of the Archdeaconry&nbsp; Court of Middlesex, Essex &amp; Hertfordshire Division
| align="left" | Registered wills on film&nbsp; beginning with&nbsp;film&nbsp; #[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=41422&disp=Wills+and+administrations%20%20&columns=*,0,0 094738]
| align="left" | - Also Abstracts of copy wills, registered wills in the Commissary Court of London [London division], 1750-1857 on microfilm #1513138-1513139;1239055-1239057; 990489-990491; 990480.
| align="left" | -
|-
| align="left" |
[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=512936&disp=Commissary+Court+of+the+Bishop+of+London+Essex+&+Hertfordshire+Division%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vols 78-79; 84]. microfiche #6073797-6073798; 6073802; microfilm #962739 item 2 &amp; 962740


Did you find a reference to a probate record?
| align="left" | Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, Essex &amp; Hertfordshire Division, 1400-1858
 
| align="left" | Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, Essex &amp; Hertfordshire Division
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=699191&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Commissary+Court%20%20&columns=*,0,0 094337]
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
| align="left" | -
 
|-
==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=512959&disp=Consistory+Court+of+the+Bishop+of+London%2C+coun%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vols 78-79; 84]. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480
 
| align="left" | Consistory Court of the Bishop of London,1400-1858
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. 
| align="left" | Consistory Court of the Bishop of London
 
| align="left" | Copy wills, Registered copy wills and registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=263013&disp=Wills+and+administrations%2C+1362%2D1857%20%20&columns=*,0,0 094456]  
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" | -
 
|-
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain] - the 1870 Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales online
| 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 vols 78-79; 84]. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=445 British-History] - has Lewis' ''Topographical Dictionary of England''
| align="left" | [Index of]Wills at Chelmsford; 1400-1858
 
| align="left" | Peculiar of the Dean &amp; Chapter of Westminster Royal and&nbsp;Court&nbsp;of the Bishop of Canterbury
These gazetteers will either tell you:  
| align="left" | Registered wills on film beginning with film #&nbsp;[# [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=301007&disp=Wills+and+administrations%2C+1504%2D1858%20%20&columns=*,0,0 094437]
 
| align="left" |
*A place is a parish, or
|-
*What parish it is a part of, or
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=202947&disp=Wills+and+administrations%2C+1535%2D1837%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol. 78-79; 84]; microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480]
*What place it is near.
| align="left" | [Index of] at Chelmsford of Copy and Registered Wills; 1400-1858
 
| align="left" | Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.
| align="left" | Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral [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 Index to Original Wills on film #1594951]
 
| align="left" | Also Index to Original Wills 1535-1857 on microfilm #1594951 item 4
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
 
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
 
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.  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="469"
|-
|-
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions|A]] 
| align="left" | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=202947&disp=Wills+and+administrations%2C+1535%2D1837%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 B4b vol. 78-79; 84]; microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480]  
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'B' Parishes|B ]]
| align="left" | [Index of] Wills at Chelmsford; Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division 1400-1857
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'C' Parishes|C]] 
| align="left" | Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-F|D-F]]  
| align="left" | Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division wills #1751846] [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;titleno=283866&amp;disp=Probate+records%20%20&amp;columns=*,0,0
| [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'G' Parishes|G ]]  
| align="left" | - #094090]
|  [[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  ====
== Post-1857 Probate Records  ==
 
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>


== 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 12:53, 19 March 2009

[NOTE: THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION; DO NOT DELETE!!]

For a general explanation of probate records in England, click here.

Essex Probate Courts[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.


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

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.

 A    B    C   D-F   G    H-K    L    M-N    O-R    S     T-V    W-Z 


Probate Indexes[edit | edit source]

Before looking for a will, you should search an index.

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.

In the 1960s, The Essex County Record Office, under the direction of F.G. Emmison, compiled a complete surname index covering wills and administrations from the first nine Essex County probate court jurisdictions listed above (trough .

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 B4b vol 78, 79 & 84. microfilm #962739 item 2 & #962740 [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford" [Archdeaconry Court of Essex], 1400-1857&nbsp. Court of the Archdeaconry of Essex Index to copy and registered wills on film  beginning with film # 091281 -
942 B4b vol 78-79; 84. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfiche #6073797-6073798 & 6073802 [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford [Archdeaconry Court of Colchester, county of Essex], 1400-1857&nbsp.  Court of the Archdeaconry of  Colchester Registered wills on film beginning with film # 091248 -
942 B4b vols 78-79; 84. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480 [Index] to Wills at Chelmsford [Archdeaconry Court of Middlesex, Essex & Hertfordshire Division, 1538-1858: index to original wills; Court of the Archdeaconry  Court of Middlesex, Essex & Hertfordshire Division Registered wills on film  beginning with film  #094738 - Also Abstracts of copy wills, registered wills in the Commissary Court of London [London division], 1750-1857 on microfilm #1513138-1513139;1239055-1239057; 990489-990491; 990480. -

942 B4b vols 78-79; 84. microfiche #6073797-6073798; 6073802; microfilm #962739 item 2 & 962740

Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, Essex & Hertfordshire Division, 1400-1858 Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, Essex & Hertfordshire Division Registered wills on film beginning with film # 094337 -
942 B4b vols 78-79; 84. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480 Consistory Court of the Bishop of London,1400-1858 Consistory Court of the Bishop of London Copy wills, Registered copy wills and registered wills on film beginning with film # 094456 -
942 B4b vols 78-79; 84. microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480 [Index of]Wills at Chelmsford; 1400-1858 Peculiar of the Dean & Chapter of Westminster Royal and Court of the Bishop of Canterbury Registered wills on film beginning with film # [# 094437
942 B4b vol. 78-79; 84; microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480] [Index of] at Chelmsford of Copy and Registered Wills; 1400-1858 Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral Index to Original Wills on film #1594951 Also Index to Original Wills 1535-1857 on microfilm #1594951 item 4
942 B4b vol. 78-79; 84; microfilm #962739 item 2; microfilm #1513138-1513139; #1239055-1239057; #990489-990491; #990480] [Index of] Wills at Chelmsford; Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division 1400-1857 Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division Commissary Court of the Bishop of London, London Division wills #1751846] [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=283866&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 - #094090]

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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