Episcopal Consistory Court of Exeter

England > Devonshire > Devonshire Probate Records,  Cornwall Probate Records

The Court of the Bishop of Exeter (Episcopal Consistory) had jurisdiction over the whole of the diocese when there was not "bona notabilia' within two or more subordinate courts, and 22 Cornish parishes which were peculiars of the Bishop. Virtually all the records of this court were destroyed in 1942.

Step By Step

1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will or administration (admon), writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry.
2. Proceed to the "Probate Records in This Archive" (below) to determine what original probate records exist for this court.
3. Contact or visit the Cornwall County Record Office or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon request a list of record searchers.

4. Visit The Family History Library, or, one of its 4,500 satellite family history centers worldwide and search indexes to probate records. Then with the information obtained from the index[es] you can search more quickly the original wills and admons also on microfilm via any centers near you.

Indexes

Online Indexes

Devonshire Wills online

Cornwall Wills online (see "Probate Records")

Calendars of wills and administrations of Devon and Cornwall : 1532-1800

Indexes in The Family History Library

Index to early Exeter wills 1286-1400

Jurisdiction

This court held jurisdiction over most of the County of Cornwall with the exception of the following parishes: