Norfolk Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{breadcrumb
for an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
| link1=[[England Genealogy|England]]
| link2=[[Norfolk, England Genealogy|Norfolk]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Norfolk_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
}}{{Norfolk-sidebar}}


{| style="float:right; margin-right:200px"
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="95%" align="center" border="1"
|-
|-
| style="padding-right:0px" |
! style="background: #ffdead" width="15%" | PARISH
|[[Image:All Saints, Bircham Newton, Norfolk .jpg|right|thumb|240x220px|<center>All Saints, Bircham Newton, Norfolk<center>]]
! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | PRIMARY COURT
|}
! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
|-
| Acle
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


==Getting Started==
|-
| Acre, South
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


''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 Norfolk. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
|-
| Acre, West
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


===1858 to the Present===
|-
| Alburgh
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
|-
| Alby
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


====Online Records====
|-
| Aldborough
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*'''1371-1858''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62679 Norfolk, England, Indexes to Wills, Probate, Administrations and Marriage Licence Bonds, 1371-1858] at Ancestry ($)
|-
*'''1858-1957''' {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at FamilySearch - [[England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
| Aldeby
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/norfolk-wills-and-probate Norfolk Wills & Probate] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


===Before 1858===
|-
| Alderford
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -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 Norfolk, follow these steps:
|-
| Alethorpe
| Search the courts of the surrounding parishes
| .
|-
| Anmer
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


====Step 1. Search Indexes====
|-
| Antingham
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Norfolk. Search these indexes first:
|-
| Arminghall
| Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Bishop of Norwich (Episcopal Consistory)
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*All the indexes of pre-1858 probate records are included in the Norfolk Record Office's online catalogue, [http://nrocat.norfolk.gov.uk/DServe/DServe.exe?NS&dsqServer=NCC3CL01&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Index.tcl NROCAT]. Click '''Browse''' and then select '''Archival descriptions'''. Narrow your results by '''Genre''' and then select either '''Probate''' (for all kinds of probate documents) or '''Wills''' (for wills specifically). Then click on Advanced search options and type the name in the first search field. Also, sometimes better results are achieved if only the surname is entered. Creative search terms is the key to finding results in this database. ''Make note of the probate court listed''.
|-
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
| Ashby St Mary
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Probate Indexes available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City:
|-
| Ashby with Oby and Thurne
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*{{FSC|198646|title-id|disp=Index to Norfolk (England) wills, 1838-1858}}
|-
*{{FSC|226098|title-id|disp=Norfolk peculiar jurisdictions, Index to probate records, 1416-1857}}
| Ashill
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Did you find a reference to a probate record?
|-
| Ashmanhaugh
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
|-
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
| Ashwellthorpe
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


====Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died====
|-
| Ashwicken
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.  The on-line will index at [http://nrocat.norfolk.gov.uk/DServe/DServe.exe?NS&dsqServer=NCC3CL01&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Index.tcl NROCAT] is very helpful in finding wills in Norfolk for pre-1858 wills.  It is not always necessary to know where or when an ancestor died when using nrocat.  Since spelling of names in early records was not consistent, entering only the surname of your ancestor will generate the most posibilities of identifying your ancestor. Searches using spelling variations of the surname will also be helpful in finding possible entries for your ancestor.  If you cannot identify an entry for your ancestor in this on-line index, you will want to try to determine at least an approximate death date and place.
|-
| Aslacton
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk  
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
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:
|-
| Attleborough
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
|-
| Attlebridge
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


The gazetteer will either tell you:
|-
| Aylmerton
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


*A place is a parish, or
|-
*What parish it is a part of, or
| Aylsham
*What place it is near.
| Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich
| 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
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.


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 Norfolk 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.
To see a list of Norfolk places and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:
{| width="272" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"
|-
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes beginning with A|A]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B|B]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C through F|C-F]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes G through H|G-H]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes I through N|I-N]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes O through S|O-S]]
| [[Norfolk Probate Jurisdictions Parishes T through Z|T-Z]]
|}
|}


<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, Norfolk - Probate records|subject|subject-id=123567734|disp=Norfolk 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.


==Norfolk Probate Courts==
=== Post-1857 Probate Records  ===


These courts had some pre-1858 jurisdiction over the county of Norfolk. Click on a court name for more information about the records available and how to find the probate of your ancestor in the court's records. <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].  


*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk]]
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>
*[[Court of Norwich (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Norwich (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean & Chapter of Norwich]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Castle Rising]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Great Cressingham]]
*[[Court of the City of Norwich]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


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

Revision as of 14:49, 1 April 2009

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

PARISH PRIMARY COURT SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
Acle Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Acre, South Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Acre, West Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alburgh Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alby Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aldborough Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aldeby Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alderford Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Alethorpe Search the courts of the surrounding parishes .
Anmer Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Antingham Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Arminghall Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Norwich 2 - Court of the Bishop of Norwich (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashby St Mary Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashby with Oby and Thurne Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashill Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashmanhaugh Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashwellthorpe Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Ashwicken Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aslacton Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Attleborough Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Attlebridge Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aylmerton Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Aylsham Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich

3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


[edit | edit source]

[edit | edit source]

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.