Principal Probate Registry: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:45, 22 May 2009

Beginning in 1858, the civil 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.

Finding the Records[edit | edit source]

The records are available through the office of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS).

To learn more, go to:

The HMCS Web site -- includes a list of frequently asked questions about obtaining copies of probate records.
The National Archives has a guide to these records.

The Principal Registry in London and the York Probate Sub-Registry in the city of York have copies of the records. Find their addresses by clicking here.

The Family History Library has filmed copies of the wills for 1858-1925. The films can be viewed at the library or through family history centers. The records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under one of the following titles:

Indexes[edit | edit source]

A country-wide surname index to the records is available, so it is much easier to look for post-1857 wills. The index gives:

Name of the deceased
Date of death and date of probate
Address of last residence
Name of the executor/executrix
Amount of the estate
Name of the office where the will was proved

Some record offices and local studies centers in England have copies of the indexes. To see a partial list, click here.

Here is a link to the calendars or indexes in the Family History Library Catalog:

Calendar of the grants of probate and letters of administration made in the Principal Registry : and in the several district registries of Her Majesty's Court of Probate

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 *The National Archives has a [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fcatalogue%2Fleaflets%2Fri2301.htm&lBack=-1 guide] to these records.&nbsp;
-Two record offices in England have copies of these records.&nbsp; Find addresses by clicking [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/wills/step2.htm here].&nbsp; <br>
+The Principal Registry in London and the York Probate Sub-Registry in the city of York have copies of the records.&nbsp; Find their addresses by clicking [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/wills/step2.htm here].&nbsp; <br>
 The Family History Library has filmed copies of the wills for 1858-1925. The films can be viewed at the library or through [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp family history centers].&nbsp; The records are listed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog] under one of the following titles: