Bedfordshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{Bedfordshire-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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| link2=[[Bedfordshire, England Genealogy|Bedfordshire]]
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| link5=[[Bedfordshire_Probate_ Records|Probate Records]]
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== Getting Started  ==
Return to the [[Bedfordshire|Bedfordshire]] County page.


''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 Bedfordshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
=== Bedfordshire Probate Courts  ===


=== 1858 to the Present  ===
The following courts had some jurisdiction over Bedfordshire before 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 Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford]]
 
*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln|Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)  
==== Online Records ====
*[[Court of the Bishop of Ely|Court of the Bishop of Ely]] (Episcopal Consistory)  
 
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]]
*'''1858-1957''' {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at FamilySearch; index — [[England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury|Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury]]
 
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade|Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade]]
=== Before 1858  ===
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard|Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard]]
 
*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 Bedfordshire, follow these steps:
 
==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====
 
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Bedfordshire. Before searching the iindexes that cover a particular court, you might want to determine the court a will for your ancestor would be proved in.  Step 3 can help you determine the court. Search these indexes first:
 
*[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($)  
*Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire. FS Library films {{FSC|221664|title-id|disp=88007-88009}}
*{{FSC|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FSC|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}}
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FSC|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}}
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard
*Wills and administrations, 1624-1858 See FS Library fims {{FSC|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}}
*Prebendal Court (Leighton-Buzzard) {{FSC|252871|title-id|disp=Probate records, 1537-1842 Index 1736-1846}}
*{{FSC|4791|title-id|disp=Index}} to records of Lincoln Peculiar Courts with Peculiar of Biggleswade
*Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857}} The Act books contain some Admon Grants from the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade  
*Some transcripts of Bedfordshire Wills at Lambeth and Lincoln {{FSC|124544|title-id|disp=1387-1570 v. 14}}
*Bedfordshire wills {{FSC|132268|title-id|disp=1601-1652}} at probate registry Lincoln, England, all name index
*Everton and Swineshead parishes have some references in the following court record Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857 }}<br>


Did you find a reference to a probate record?
=== Court&nbsp;Jurisdictions  ===


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.  
Before 1858, the majority of the parishes in Bedfordshire were under the primary probate jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford.&nbsp;&nbsp;Six parishes were covered by the two peculiar courts listed above.  Here is a list of those parishes and the courts that jurisdiction over them. In the case of 'extra parochial parishes,' you would want to search the courts that had jurisdiction over their neighboring parishes.
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
{| 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
|-
| Biggleswade
| Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade
| 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln
3 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln


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


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:
|-
| Billington
| Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard
| 2 - Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
4 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln&nbsp;


The gazetteer will either tell you:
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*A place is a parish, or
|-
*What parish it is a part of, or
| Chicksands
*What place it is near.
| Search the courts of the surrounding parishes
| .
|-
| Colworth Farm
| Search the courts of the surrounding parishes
| .
|-
| Eggington
| Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard
| 2 - Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln


If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.
4 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln


Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
|}


==== Majority of the County ====
=== Post-1857 Probate Records ===


Before 1858, every town and parish in Bedfordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.  The court that had primary jurisdiction over most of Bedfordshire, with just six exceptions (see below), was the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]].  Here's a list of further possible probate court jurisdictions:<br>
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].  
 
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($)
*Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire. FS Library films {{FSC|221664|title-id|disp=88007-88009}}
*{{FSC|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FSC|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}}
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FSC|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}}
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard
*Wills and administrations, Aylesbury Peculiar Court, 1624-1858 See FS Library fims {{FSC|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}}
*Prebendal Court (Leighton-Buzzard) {{FSC|252871|title-id|disp=Probate records, 1537-1842 Index 1736-1846}}
*{{FSC|4791|title-id|disp=Index}} to records of Lincoln Peculiar Courts with Peculiar of Biggleswade
*Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857}} The Act books contain some Admon Grants from the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade
*Some transcripts of Bedfordshire Wills at Lambeth and Lincoln {{FSC|124544|title-id|disp=1387-1570 v. 14}}
*Bedfordshire wills {{FSC|132268|title-id|disp=1601-1652}} at probate registry Lincoln, England, all name index
*Everton and Swineshead parishes have some references in the following court record Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857 }}<br>
*[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]
 
==== Exceptions  ====
 
There were six Bedfordshire parishes that were exceptions to this--Biggleswade, Billington, Eggington, Heath and Rich, Leighton Buzzard, and Stanbridge. To see the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over these parishes, click [[Bedfordshire Probate Court Jurisdictions|here]]. <br>
 
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
 
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, Bedfordshire - Probate records|subject|subject-id=2138059186|disp=Bedfordshire 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.
<br>
 
== Bedfordshire Probate Courts  ==
 
Most of Bedfordshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts, which were the [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]] before 1837, and the [[Court of the Bishop of Ely (Episcopal Consistory)]] starting in 1837. The courts should be searched in that order.  The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] (and the appeals courts if necessary) should be searched last.
 
However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction over certain parishes within the county. Click on a court name below to learn about the parishes they cover and their records and indexes.
 
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury|Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade|Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard|Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard]]<br>


{{Place|Bedfordshire|Probate}} {{England Probate Records}}
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:Bedfordshire Probate Records]]
[[Category:England|England]]

Revision as of 10:28, 26 March 2009

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

Return to the Bedfordshire County page.

Bedfordshire Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

The following courts had some jurisdiction over Bedfordshire before 1858:

Court Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Before 1858, the majority of the parishes in Bedfordshire were under the primary probate jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford.  Six parishes were covered by the two peculiar courts listed above. Here is a list of those parishes and the courts that jurisdiction over them. In the case of 'extra parochial parishes,' you would want to search the courts that had jurisdiction over their neighboring parishes.

PARISH PRIMARY COURT SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
Biggleswade Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln

3 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Billington Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard 2 - Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury

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

4 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln 

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Chicksands Search the courts of the surrounding parishes .
Colworth Farm Search the courts of the surrounding parishes .
Eggington Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard 2 - Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury

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

4 - Court of the Bishop of Lincoln

5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

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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