Essex Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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{{Essex-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
For a general explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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| link5=[[Essex_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 Essex. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
== Essex Probate Courts  ==


=== 1858 to the Present  ===
The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over the county of Essex prior to 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 Archdeaconry of Essex]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Colchester]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[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 Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Liberty of the Sokens|Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Liberty of the Sokens]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Havering-atte-Bower|Court of the Peculiar of the Deanery of Bocking]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Havering-atte-Bower]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Writtle with Roxwell]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Good Easter]]


==== Online Records ====


*'''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
*'''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  ===
In addition, the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] had jurisdiction over the whole of England. Wealthier individuals, people who owned property in more than one county or lower court's jurisdiction, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court.


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:
=== Appeals Courts  ===


==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====
Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could be sent to these higher appeals courts:


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Essex. Search these indexes first:
*[[Court of Arches]]
*[[High Court of Delegates]]


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. 
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Essex<br> ==


The following sites index significant portions of Essex wills:  
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].


*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>
<br>
*[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:
== Essex Parishes and Their Probate Jurisdictions <br> ==


*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}}.
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.  


*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].
{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="432" border="1"
 
|-
Always re-visit these websites as new, updated data may periodically be posted online.
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions|A]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'B' Parishes|B]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors, look in the '''published indexes '''listed here.
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'C' Parishes|C]]&nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-F|D-F]]&nbsp;
Other printed indexes are found listed on the court pages.  '''Click on the court name links above.'''  
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'G' Parishes|G]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes H-K|H-K]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
Did you find a reference to a probate record?
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'L' Parishes|L]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes M-N|M-N]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
| &nbsp;[[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes O-R|O-R]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
| &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;
|}


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
<br>


Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.  
== Probate Indexes ==


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


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain] - the 1870 Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales online
=== Online Indexes  ===
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=445 British-History] - has Lewis' ''Topographical Dictionary of England''


These gazetteers will either tell you:  
A general will index for Essex County is available [http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/default.asp online].&nbsp; This single index consolidates just about all Essex county wills of the various probate court jurisdictions into one database.


*A place is a parish, or
[http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/probate/index.htm http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/probate/index.htm]
*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.  
This online website is a listing of a few&nbsp;transcribed wills.&nbsp;


Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
=== Printed Indexes  ===


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
If the indexes on the Internet do not produce possible wills for your ancestors,&nbsp;look in the '''published indexes '''listed here.  


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.
The Essex County Record Office compiled and published a complete surname index covering wills and administrations from&nbsp;the '''''first&nbsp;eight'' '''Essex County probate court jurisdictions listed above (through the Liberty of Sokens).&nbsp; The index is available in three volumns at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City:


{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="469"
*Emmison, F. G., ed.&nbsp; ''[Index to] Wills at Chelmsford''.&nbsp; London: s.n., 1961,&nbsp;by the British Record Society.&nbsp; (FHL book [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 &amp; 84; also on microfilms 0962739 and 0962740, and on microfiche 6073796, 6073797, and 6073802.)
|-
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions|A]] 
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'B' Parishes|B ]]
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'C' Parishes|C]] 
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-F|D-F]]
|  [[Essex Probate Jurisdictions, 'G' Parishes|G ]]
|  [[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  ====
 
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>  ==
Other printed indexes&nbsp;are found listed on the court pages.&nbsp; '''Click on the court name links above.'''


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).
<br>


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>
== Post-1857 Probate Records  ==


== 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 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=authordetails&authorno=301365&name=Great+Britain%2E+Principal+Probate+Registry%2C+null&columns=*,0,0 records] for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>


[[Category:Essex Probate Records]]
<br>

Revision as of 15:56, 22 April 2009

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:


In addition, the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury had jurisdiction over the whole of England. Wealthier individuals, people who owned property in more than one county or lower court's jurisdiction, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court.

Appeals Courts[edit | edit source]

Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could be sent to these higher appeals courts:

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.

Online Indexes[edit | edit source]

A general will index for Essex County is available online.  This single index consolidates just about all Essex county wills of the various probate court jurisdictions into one database.

http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/probate/index.htm

This online website is a listing of a few transcribed wills. 

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.

The Essex County Record Office compiled and published a complete surname 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 volumns at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City:

  • Emmison, F. G., ed.  [Index to] Wills at Chelmsford.  London: s.n., 1961, by the British Record Society.  (FHL book 942 B4b vols. 78, 79 & 84; also on microfilms 0962739 and 0962740, and on microfiche 6073796, 6073797, and 6073802.)

Other printed indexes are found listed on the court pages.  Click on the court name links above.


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.


Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)

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