Wales Probate Records: Difference between revisions

{{Wales-sidebar}}

{{breadcrumb

*Bishops’ courts (also called episcopal, commissary, diocesan, or consistory courts) were the highest local courts. In Wales there were four main bishops’ courts: '''Bangor''', '''Llandaf''', '''St. Asaph''', and '''St. David’s'''. A small area in Flintshire and Denbighshire was under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Chester''' in England. Parts of Monmouth, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire were under the jurisdiction of the Bishops’ Court of '''Hereford''' in England.

*''Handlist of Probate Records Pertaining to the Diocese of St. David’s'', ''St. Asaph, Bangor, and Llandaff, Wales and of the Peculiar and Exempt Court of Hawarden, Flint County.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1970. (Family History Library {{FHL|405695|title-id|disp=book 942.9 S2w; fiche 6054481}}.) This work contains color-coded maps to help determine the courts in which an estate would be proved. It also lists call numbers for indexes, wills, and administrations that apply to each court.

*Gibson, Jeremy, comp. 4th ed. ''Probate Jurisdictions:'' ''Where to Look for Wills.'' Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1997. (Family History Library {{FHL|657264|title-id|disp=book 942 P23g}} 1997.)

|[[Flintshire Genealogy|Flintshire]]

'''Abstracts of Welsh Wills Pre-1858.''' An important collection of Welsh probates are the abstracts (summaries) and indexes to the abstracts of the wills that are on microfiche at the Family History Library. The abstracts and indexes are by diocese; however, there is a separate set for the Archdeaconry of Brecon and the peculiar of Hawarden. The abstracts are arranged by year and contain the name of every person mentioned in the will, including the witnesses.  

The diocesan records are partially indexed on Findmypast.org [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/wales-probate-records-1544-1858 "Wales Probate Records 1544-1858"] and the abstracts can be browsed at [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/wales-probate-abstracts-1544-1858-image-browse "Wales Probate Abstracts 1544-1858 Image Browse"]. The Archdeaconry of Brecon and peculiar of Hawarden are not included in this index and image browse.  

On 11 January 1858, a network of courts called the [[Principal Probate Registry]] replaced all ecclesiastical probate courts. All wills and administrations were then probated at district courts or at a central court in London called the Principal Registry. Online indexes available 1858-1966 for both wills and administrations at ancestry.com under search Tax, Criminal, Land & Wills records [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904 Will and Administration Searching].  

*'''1858-1995''' see [http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904 National Probate Calendar (Index to Wills and Administrations)] accessible at Ancestry.co.uk($)

* '''1796-1903''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/index-to-death-duty-registers-1796-1903 Index To Death Duty Registers 1796-1903] at Findmypast — index & images, ($)

==Probate Records at the Family History Library==

The Family History Library has an excellent collection of Welsh probate records and indexes, including most pre-1925 wills and indexes for wills and administrations.  

The following helpful books are available at the Family History Library: <br>  

*''Hand List of Probate Jurisdictions in Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.)'' and ''Filmed and Printed Probate Records Pertaining to Prerogative Court of Canterbury in the Genealogical Society Library''. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1967. (Family History Library {{FHL|423223|title-id|disp=book 942 S2ha vol. 23; film 599220; fiche 6026312}}.) This work contains call numbers for indexes and probate documents for the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. At the front of this register is a list of printed indexes. These indexes give the testator’s name and place of residence along with the year and folio where the original is located.

*''England and Wales Principal Probate Registry Including: General Index 1858–1957 Principal Registry 1858–1925 District Courts 1858–1925.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997. (Family History Library {{FHL|669640|title-id|disp=book Reg 942 S2cp 1997; microfiche 6037050}}.) Contains a list of the microfilm numbers for the indexes and probate documents for the Principal and District courts.

*'''1544-1858''' - [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/wales-probate-records-1544-1858 Wales Probate Indexes, 1544-1858] at Findmypast - index ($); Probate Abstracts, 1544-1858: Courtesy of FamilySearch Historical Records Collection. A more detailed explanation of these records is available in the [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Wales,_Probate_Abstracts_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Wiki].

*'''1853-1943''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10691/england-wales-index-of-wills-probates-1853-1943?s=275764761 England & Wales, Index of Wills and Probates, 1853-1943] at MyHeritage, index ($)

*'''1858-2019:''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019] at MyHeritage ($), index and images

===Records Not at the Family History Library===

*''A List of Wills, Administrations, Etc''. ''in the Public Record Office'', London, England: 12th–19th Century. Baltimore: Magna Carta Book Company, 1968. (Family History Library {{FHL|426785|title-id|disp=book 942 S2po}}.)

&nbsp;<br>