Buckinghamshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Buckinghamshire]]''
| link1=[[England Genealogy|England]]
 
| link2=[[Buckinghamshire, England Genealogy|Buckinghamshire]]
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here.]]  
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Buckinghamshire_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
}}


== Getting Started  ==
== 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 Buckinghamshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.  
''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until 1858. Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Buckinghamshire_Probate_Records#Post-1857_Probate_Records Post-1857 Probate Records] section below contains links to additional information about the records of this court.  


=== 1858 to the Present  ===
To look for a probate record 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.
#Discover when and where your ancestor died. If you don’t know, use the approximate date and place where they lived.
#Go to [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Yorkshire_Probate_Records#Court_Jurisdictions Court Jurisdictions] section below.
#Click a letter or span of letters for your place name. This opens a jurisdictions table.
#Follow the instructions on the jurisdictions table page.<br>


==== Online Records ====
== Buckinghamshire Probate Courts  ==


*'''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
The following courts had some jurisdiction over Buckinghamshire before 1858:


=== Before 1858  ===
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of St. Albans]]
*Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)
*[[Court of the Bishop of London]] (Episcopal Consistory)
*[[Courts of the Bishop and Archdeaconry of Oxford]] (Episcopal Consistory)
*[[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 Banbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Bierton]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Buckingham]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Monks Risborough]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of Eton]]


Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Buckinghamshire, follow these steps:
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 Archibishop's court.&nbsp;


==== Step 1. Search Indexes ====
=== Appeals Courts ===


Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Buckinghamshire. Search these indexes first:  
Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could go to these high appeals courts:  


*Between 1483-1858, the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]] proved over 35,000 wills of ordinary people of Buckinghamshire. The [https://archives.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/records/D-A/WE Volumes of wills registered in the court of the Archdeacon of Buckingham, 1483-1858] at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies contains an online index. Click on ''Details'' next to each entry to view index.
*[[Court of Arches]]  
*The Buckinghamshire Family History Society has created an online searchable [https://www.bucksfhs.org.uk/index.php/database-searches/family-history-news/25-other-bucks-news/384-bucks-wills-index-on-line will index].
*[[High Court of Delegates]]
*[https://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/england-and-wales-published-wills-and-probate-indexes-1300-1858-volumes-available/buckinghamshire/buckinghamshire-probate-records-1483-1660-and-buckinghamshire-peculiars-1420-1660-original-introduction Buckinghamshire Probate Records 1483-1660 and Buckinghamshire Peculiars 1420-1660] at Findmypast ($).


Did you find a reference to a probate record?
The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] could also serve as an appeals court.


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
== Some Explanatory Notes&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Buckinghamshire Probate Courts  ==
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
Most of Buckinghamshire was under the jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham, hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the reocrds of that court and its superiors (see the court jurisdiction tables for specifics).


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


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:
Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.&nbsp; If you are looking for the probate or will of an ancestor in Buckinghamshire, look for the name of the&nbsp;parish in which your ancestor lived or owned property.&nbsp; Search the courts in the order given.&nbsp; Search indexes first.&nbsp; To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the '''Probate Indexes''' section below.


*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:  


The gazetteer will either tell you:
[[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B-C|B-C]],&nbsp;[[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes D-G|D-G]],&nbsp;[[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes H-J|H-J]], [[Buckingham Probate, Parishes K-P|K-P]],&nbsp;[[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes Q-T|Q-T]], [[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes U-Z|U-Z]]. <br><br>


*A place is a parish, or
== Probate Indexes Online  ==
*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.  
Before looking for a will, you should search an index.<br>


Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.  
*[http://apps.buckscc.gov.uk/eforms/wills/search.aspx http://apps.buckscc.gov.uk/eforms/wills/search.aspx]&nbsp; Between 1483-1858, the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]] proved over 35,000 wills of ordinary people of Buckinghamshire. This is an index of those wills held at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies. The index includes wills and some administrations of people who may have died without leaving a will (administrations not complete).&nbsp;<br>


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
<br>
 
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.
 
<br>Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Most of Buckinghamshire was under the primary jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham|Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]], hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the records of that court and its superior (or secondary) courts. Click on the court name link in the previous sentence to learn about the records.
 
For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes that were ''exceptions'' to the above, and the courts that had jurisdiction over them, click [[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions|'''here''']]. The list of courts is also listed below in the '''Buckinghamshire Probate Courts.'''
 
Always search indexes first. To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the '''Search Indexes '''section above'''.'''


==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
== Estate Duty Records<br> ==


Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:
Starting in 1796, a tax or death duty was payable on estates over a certain value. Estate duty abstracts may add considerable information not found elsewhere. Between 1813-1858 estate duty indexes may help locate a will. For more information, go to [[Estate Duty Records]].<br>


*{{FSC|England, Buckinghamshire - Probate records|subject|subject-id=580384053|disp=Buckinghamshire 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>
<br>


== Buckinghamshire Probate Courts ==
== Post-1857 Probate Records ==


Most of Buckinghamshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]]. However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.  
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 St. Albans]]
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 the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=517092&disp=Record+copy+wills%2C+1858%2D1925%20%20&columns=*,0,0 Principal Registry] and the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=517092&disp=Record+copy+wills%2C+1858%2D1925%20%20&columns=*,0,0 District Registries] for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>
*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of London]] (Episcopal Consistory)
*[[Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) and Archdeaconry of Oxford|Courts of the Bishop and Archdeaconry of Oxford (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[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 Banbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Bierton]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Buckingham]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Monks Risborough]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of Eton]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] .


{{Place|Buckinghamshire|Probate}}
{{Place|Buckinghamshire}}
{{England Probate Records}}


[[Category:Buckinghamshire Probate Records]]
[[Category:Buckinghamshire|Probate Records]]
[[Category:Probate_records_in_England]]

Revision as of 00:03, 26 July 2009

England Gotoarrow.png Buckinghamshire

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

Getting Started[edit | edit source]

Probate is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until 1858. Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The Post-1857 Probate Records section below contains links to additional information about the records of this court.

To look for a probate record before 1858:

  1. Discover when and where your ancestor died. If you don’t know, use the approximate date and place where they lived.
  2. Go to Court Jurisdictions section below.
  3. Click a letter or span of letters for your place name. This opens a jurisdictions table.
  4. Follow the instructions on the jurisdictions table page.

Buckinghamshire Probate Courts[edit | edit source]

The following courts had some jurisdiction over Buckinghamshire 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 Archibishop's court. 

Appeals Courts[edit | edit source]

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

The Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury could also serve as an appeals court.

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

Most of Buckinghamshire was under the jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham, hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the reocrds of that court and its superiors (see the court jurisdiction tables for specifics).

Court Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.  If you are looking for the probate or will of an ancestor in Buckinghamshire, look for the name of the parish in which your ancestor lived or owned property.  Search the courts in the order given.  Search indexes first.  To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the Probate Indexes section below.

For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:

B-C, D-G, H-J, K-P, Q-T, U-Z.

Probate Indexes Online[edit | edit source]

Before looking for a will, you should search an index.


Estate Duty Records
[edit | edit source]

Starting in 1796, a tax or death duty was payable on estates over a certain value. Estate duty abstracts may add considerable information not found elsewhere. Between 1813-1858 estate duty indexes may help locate a will. For more information, go to Estate Duty Records.


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 the Principal Registry and the District Registries for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.

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