Dorset Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{Dorset-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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| link5=[[Dorset_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
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Return to the [[Dorset|Dorset County]] page.


== Getting Started ==
== Dorset Probate Courts ==


''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 Dorset. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Dorset Probate Courts  ==


=== 1858 to the Present ===
== Court Jurisdictions ==


Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
Before 1858, every town and parish in Dorset fell under the jurisdiction of a primary probate court and several secondary courts.  When looking for the probate of the estate of an ancestor, you should search the primary court first then move on to the secondary courts in the order given.  Search indexes first.  Indexes are found by clicking on the court name above.  


==== Online Records ====
Below&nbsp;is a list of&nbsp;the Dorset paris<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1237578746217_981" />hes beginning with letters A and B and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them.&nbsp; To see other parishes, click on the letter that begins the parish name.


*'''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
[[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C & D|C&nbsp;&nbsp; D]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes E Through G|E&nbsp;&nbsp; F&nbsp;&nbsp; G]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes H Through K|H&nbsp;&nbsp; I&nbsp;&nbsp; J&nbsp;&nbsp; K]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes L & M|L&nbsp;&nbsp; M]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N Through R|N&nbsp;&nbsp; O&nbsp;&nbsp; P&nbsp;&nbsp; Q&nbsp;&nbsp; R]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes S Through U|S&nbsp;&nbsp; T&nbsp;&nbsp; U]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes W Through Y|V&nbsp;&nbsp; W&nbsp;&nbsp; X&nbsp;&nbsp; Y&nbsp;&nbsp; Z]]


=== Before 1858  ===
<br>


Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Dorset, follow these steps:
{| 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
|-
| Abbotsbury
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====
|-
| Affpuddle
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Dorset. Search these indexes first:
|-
| Alderholt
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


'''Online Records'''
|-
| Allington
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


The place to start online searches is '''Ancestry.com'''. They have digitized and indexed [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2119/ Dorset's wills and administrations (1565-1858)] (£). (Includes Bristol Consistory, Canford and Poole Peculiars, Corfe Castle Peculiar, Archdeaconry of Dorset, Milton Abbas Peculiar, Sturminster Marshall Peculiar, and Wimborne Peculiar).<br>
|-
 
| Almer
*[https://www.findmypast.com/articles/england-and-wales-published-wills-and-probate-indexes-1300-1858-volumes-available/dorset/dorset-wills-and-administrations-1568-1799-introduction-to-original-volume Dorset Wills and Administrations 1568-1799]. Part of the National Wills Index.
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
*[https://www.findmypast.com/articles/england-and-wales-published-wills-and-probate-indexes-1300-1858-volumes-available Dorset Wills and Administrations in the Peculiar Courts 1500-1801]. Part of the National Wills Index.<br>
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
 
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Additional records are included in the '''Wiltshire probate index''' on [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61333/ Ancestry.com, 1540-1858] ($).
 
:This catalogue gives access to wills and other probate records of the diocese of Salisbury which used to cover not only Wiltshire but also Berkshire (under certain circumstances) and parts of Dorset and Devon. You can search for people by name, place, occupation and date. Searching the catalogue is FREE. In addition, there are digital images for some of the documents (just over 25%) which can be viewed following on-line payment or free of charge by people visiting the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Wills and inventories give useful information about people’s financial status and property, and also their family relationships and friendships, which make them a wonderful resource for family and local history. The [http://members.iinet.net.au/~suegar/ Mills website] includes records from this collection for Swanage, Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers, Studland, and Church Knowle parishes.<br>


'''Prerogative Court of Canterbury''' wills [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-1384-1858/ (1384 - 1858)] are available online for a fee.
{| width="70%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" colspan="20" | <center><font size="+1">'''Online Dorset Administrations Proved in the PCC Index 1559-1725 - free'''<ref>George S. Fry, 'Dorset Administrations,' ''Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries,'' Vols. 2-6 (1891-1899). Digitised by Internet Archive and Google Books.</ref></font></center>
| Alton Pancras
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury
| 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n24/mode/2up 1559-1571]
| Arne
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n128/mode/2up 1621-1625]
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n269/mode/2up 1653-1654] (G-O surnames)  
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA301 1685-1690]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n62/mode/2up 1572-1581] (1583)
| Ashmore
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n182/mode/2up 1626-1628]
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=gEAJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA250 1653-1654] (P-W surnames)  
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA339 1691-1693]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n96/mode/2up 1581-1586]
| Askerswell
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n200/mode/2up 1629-1631] (1633)  
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n373/mode/2up 1655-1656]
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n44/mode/2up 1694-1696]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n144/mode/2up 1587-1590]
| Athelhampton
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n248/mode/2up 1631-1636] (1638)  
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=gEAJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA361 1657-1658]
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n76/mode/2up 1697-1700]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n200/mode/2up 1591-1595]
| Batcombe
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n308/mode/2up 1636-1640]
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA23 1658-1659]
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n134/mode/2up 1701-1704]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n240/mode/2up 1596-1599]
| Beaminster
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n374/mode/2up 1641-1646]
| Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Netherbury in Ecclesia
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA65 1660-1666]
| 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n182/mode/2up 1705-1708]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n284/mode/2up 1600-1604]
| Beer Hackett
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n61/mode/2up 1646-1647]
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA116 1667-1670]
| 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n244/mode/2up 1709-1711]
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor04unkngoog#page/n310/mode/2up 1605-1610]
| Belchalwell
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n99/mode/2up 1648-1650]
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA158 1671-1674]
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n282/mode/2up 1712-1715]
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n48/mode/2up 1611-1614]
| Bere Regis
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n149/mode/2up 1651-1652]
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA206 1675-1679]
| 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n368/mode/2up 1716-1720]
|-
|-
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor09unkngoog#page/n84/mode/2up 1615-1620]
| Bettiscombe
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor10unkngoog#page/n199/mode/2up 1653-1654] (A-F surnames)
| Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton
| [http://books.google.com/books?id=L0EJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA257 1680-1684]
| 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| [http://archive.org/stream/notesqueriesfor06unkngoog#page/n404/mode/2up 1721-1725]
3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
|}


'''Books and Microfilm'''
4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*A calendar of wills and administrations relating to the county of Dorset : proved in the Consistory court (Dorsetshire division) of the late diocese of Bristol, 1681-1792, and in the Archdeaconry court of Dorset, 1568-1792, and in the several peculiars, 1660-1799, all now preserved at the probate registry, Blandford. Digital versions at  [http://books.google.com/books?id=VMRCAAAAYAAJ Google Books]; {{FSC|211433|title-id|disp=FS Library Book}}.
|-
*Church of England. Archdeaconry of Dorset. Court Probate records, 1568-1857 {{FSC|236036|title-id|disp=}}
| Bincombe
*Indexes to Sarum peculiar courts 1462-1800 which cover Chardstock 1639-1799, Fordington 1660-1799, Lyne Regis and Halstock 1664-1799, Netherbury and Beaminster 1608-1799, Preston and Sutton Pointz 1761-1799, Yatminster and Grimston 1654-1799, and Gillingham 1658-1799 FS Library Film 97430 Indexes to Sarum peculiar courts early to 1857 FS Library Film {{FSC|300055|title-id|disp=97429}}
| Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton
*Peculiar Court of Great Canford and Poole Probate records, {{FSC|300731|title-id|disp=1650-1857}}
| 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
*Peculiar Court Corfe Castle Probate records,{{FSC|300683|title-id|disp=1576-1846}} Includes the Chapelry of Kingston
3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
*Peculiar Court of Sturminister Marshall Probate records, {{FSC|300661|title-id|disp=1641-1857}} Jurisdiction: Sturminister Marshall, Corfe Mullen, Hamworth and Lytchet Minister
*Peculiar Court Wimborne Minster Probate records, {{FSC|300911|title-id|disp=1603-1857}}
*Wills at Salisbury 1464-1858 Contents: {{FSC|1647597|title-id|disp=v. 122. A-K -- v. 123. K-Z.}}
*{{FSC|473422|title-id|disp=Calendars of wills and administrations}} relating to the county of Dorset
*The Genealogists' magazine - v. 5 (1929-1931) {{FSC|1188872|title-id|disp=Miscellaneous Dorset Wills}} from the Episcopal Consistory Court of Sarum: A-B, 1550-1737 pages 140-141; C-F, 1550-1737, pages 172-173; F-Loc, 1555-1810, pages 209-210; Lon-RE, 1560-1805, Pages 248-249; Ri-W, 1556-1731, pages 278-280
*Notes and queries for Somerset and Dorset - v. 27 (1955-1960) pages 229-233
*Manorial Court of Frampton {{FSC|1182592|title-id|disp=1678-1755}}
*Court books for the manor and liberty of Frampton, {{FSC|446522|title-id|disp=1670-1881}}


Did you find a reference to a probate record?
4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
|-
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
| Blandford Forum
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
|-
| Blandford St Mary
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. 
|-
| Bloxworth
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury
| 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|-
| Bothenhampton
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -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:
|-
| Bourton
| Court of the Royal Peculiar of Gillingham
| 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|-
| Bradford Abbas
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
|-
| Bradford Peverell
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


The gazetteer will either tell you:
|-
| Bradpole
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*A place is a parish, or
|-
*What parish it is a part of, or
| Bredy, Long
*What place it is near.
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.
|-
| Bridport
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
|-
| Broadmayne
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
|-
| Broadway
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -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 Dorset 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.
|-
| Broadwindsor
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


<br>
|-
| Bryanston
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


{| width="200" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
|   [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes A|A]] 
| Buckhorn Weston
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B|B]] 
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C & D|C-D]] 
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes E Through G|E-G]] 
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes H Through K|H-K]] 
|   [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes L & M|L-M]] 
|   [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N Through R|N-R]] 
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes S Through U|S-U]] 
|  [[Dorset Probate Jurisdictions Parishes W Through Y|W-Y]]
|}


==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
|-
| Buckland Newton
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -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:
|-
| Buckland Ripers
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*{{FSC|England, Dorset - Probate records|subject|subject-id=996380414|disp=Dorset 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.
| Burleston
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


== Dorset Probate Courts  ==
|-
| Burstock
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Most of Dorset was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts. However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.
|-
| Burton Bradstock
| Court of the Manor of Burton Bradstock
| 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset  
3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division


*[[Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory Court of Bristol, Dorset Division)|Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory, Dorset Division)]]
4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Canford Magna and Poole|Court of the Peculiar of Canford Magna and Poole]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Chardstock and Wambrook|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Chardstock and Wambrook]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Corfe Castle|Court of the Peculiar of Corfe Castle]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Fordington|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Fordington]]
*[[Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton|Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Gillingham|Court of the Peculiar of Gillingham]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Lyme Regis and Halstock|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Lyme Regis and Halstock]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Milton Abbas|Court of the Peculiar of Milton Abbas]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Netherbury|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Netherbury]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Preston and Sutton Poyntz|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Preston and Sutton Poyntz]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury]]
*[[Court of the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury|Court of the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of Salisbury (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Salisbury (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Sturminster Marshall|Court of the Peculiar of Sturminster Marshall]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Wimborne Minster|Court of the Peculiar of Wimborne Minster]]
*[[Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Yetminster|Court of the Prebendal Peculiar of Yetminster]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


<br>
|-
 
| Burton, Long
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Dorset Probate Courts  ==
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury  
 
| 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
In 1836, the parish of Stockland and the Chapelry of Dalwood were transferred from the Court of the Archdeacon of Dorset to the  Court of the Archdeacon of Exeter and were united with Devon. At the same time, the parish of Thornecombe and part of the parish of Axminster were transferred from Devonshire to Dorset with a corresponding change in ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
|}
 
The Salisbury prebends were inhibited triennually for six months by the Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury.
 
It is known that probate records were kept for Fampton, 1678-1755, and evidently none were proved after this date; however, probates of people in this area may well be found in surrounding courts throughout the period, as well as after 1755.


It is said that Burton Bradstock was independent in probate matters, in which case there may be probate information in the Manorial Records which are still in the custody of the Lord of the Manor.<br>  
<br>


== References ==
=== Post-1857 Probate Records  ===


{{reflist}}
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].


{{Place|Dorset|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>
{{England Probate Records}}


[[Category:Dorset Probate Records]]
[[Category:England|England]]

Revision as of 09:23, 30 March 2009

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

Return to the Dorset County page.

Dorset Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

Some Explanatory Notes on the Dorset Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

Court Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Before 1858, every town and parish in Dorset fell under the jurisdiction of a primary probate court and several secondary courts.  When looking for the probate of the estate of an ancestor, you should search the primary court first then move on to the secondary courts in the order given.  Search indexes first.  Indexes are found by clicking on the court name above.

Below is a list of the Dorset parishes beginning with letters A and B and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them.  To see other parishes, click on the letter that begins the parish name.

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


PARISH PRIMARY COURT SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
Abbotsbury Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Affpuddle Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alderholt Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Allington Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Almer Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alton Pancras Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Arne Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashmore Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Askerswell Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Athelhampton Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Batcombe Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Beaminster Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Netherbury in Ecclesia 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Beer Hackett Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Belchalwell Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bere Regis Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Bettiscombe Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset

3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bincombe Court of the Manor and Liberty of Frampton 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset

3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Blandford Forum Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Blandford St Mary Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bloxworth Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Bothenhampton Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bourton Court of the Royal Peculiar of Gillingham 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Bradford Abbas Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bradford Peverell Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bradpole Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bredy, Long Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bridport Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Broadmayne Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Broadway Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Broadwindsor Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Bryanston Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Buckhorn Weston Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Buckland Newton Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Buckland Ripers Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Burleston Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Burstock Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Burton Bradstock Court of the Manor of Burton Bradstock 2 - Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset

3 -Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Burton, Long Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury 2 - Prerogatve 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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