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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Bedfordshire|Bedfordshire]]''
{{Bedfordshire-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
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| link2=[[Bedfordshire, England Genealogy|Bedfordshire]]
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| link5=[[Bedfordshire_Probate_ Records|Probate Records]]
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The following article is about probate records in the county of Bedfordshire. For general information about English probate records, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
== Getting Started  ==


<br>
''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 Bedfordshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
 
=== 1858 to the Present  ===


== Description  ==
Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.


''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term ''probate'' refers to a collection of documents, including [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]], [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]] (also called admons), [[I genealogical glossary terms|inventories]], and [[A genealogical glossary terms|act books]]. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858. This article explains about probates and how to get started to search for a will.
==== Online Records ====


Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The '''Probates After 1857'''&nbsp;section below has a link to an article about probates after 1857.
*'''1858-1957''' {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at FamilySearch; index — [[England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


<br>
=== Before 1858  ===


== Getting Started  ==
Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Bedfordshire, follow these steps:


Follow these steps to look for a probate record before 1858:<br>
==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====


#Discover when and where your ancestor died. If you don’t know, use the approximate date and place where they lived. <br>
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Bedfordshire. Before searching the iindexes that cover a particular court, you might want to determine the court a will for your ancestor would be proved in. Step 3 can help you determine the court. Search these indexes first:
#Go to the Court Jurisdictions section below.<br>
#Click a letter or span of letters for your place. This opens an article showing a table of places and the courts that had jurisdiction over them.<br>
#Follow the steps at the top of the table to search for a will.<br><br>


== Court Jurisdictions by Parish  ==
*[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($)
*Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire. FS Library films {{FSC|221664|title-id|disp=88007-88009}}
*{{FSC|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FSC|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}}
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FSC|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}}
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard
*Wills and administrations, 1624-1858 See FS Library fims {{FSC|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}}
*Prebendal Court (Leighton-Buzzard) {{FSC|252871|title-id|disp=Probate records, 1537-1842 Index 1736-1846}}
*{{FSC|4791|title-id|disp=Index}} to records of Lincoln Peculiar Courts with Peculiar of Biggleswade
*Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857}} The Act books contain some Admon Grants from the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade
*Some transcripts of Bedfordshire Wills at Lambeth and Lincoln {{FSC|124544|title-id|disp=1387-1570 v. 14}}
*Bedfordshire wills {{FSC|132268|title-id|disp=1601-1652}} at probate registry Lincoln, England, all name index
*Everton and Swineshead parishes have some references in the following court record Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857 }}<br>


==== Majority of the County  ====
Did you find a reference to a probate record?


Before 1858, every town and parish in Bedfordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.&nbsp; The court that had primary jurisdiction over most of Bedfordshire, with just a few exceptions, was the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford]].&nbsp;
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.  
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


==== Exceptions ====
==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ====


For a list of the Bedfordshire parishes that were exceptions to this, and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click [[Bedfordshire Probate Court Jurisdictions|here]]. <br>
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.


== Bedfordshire Probate Courts  ==
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:


Most of Bedfordshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts, which were the [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]] before 1837, and the [[Court of the Bishop of Ely (Episcopal Consistory)]] starting in 1837.&nbsp; The courts should be searched in that order.&nbsp; The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] (and the appeals courts if necessary) should be searched last.
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]


However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.
The gazetteer will either tell you:


*[[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]
*A place is a parish, or
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]]
*What parish it is a part of, or
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury|Court of the Peculiar of Aylesbury]]
*What place it is near.
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade|Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard|Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard]]


In addition, the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] had jurisdiction over the whole of England and specifically in the following cases.<br>
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.  


*Wealthy individuals<br>
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
*People who owned property in more than one county<br>
*Military and naval personnel<br>
*People who lived or owned property outside England<br>


=== Appeals Courts ===
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish ====


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


*[[Court of Arches]]
Before 1858, every town and parish in Bedfordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.  The court that had primary jurisdiction over most of Bedfordshire, with just six exceptions (see below), was the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]].  Here's a list of further possible probate court jurisdictions:<br>
*[[High Court of Delegates]]


The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] also served as an appeals court.
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes {{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=indexes}} for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard. Digital version at [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ National Wills Index] ($)
*Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire. FS Library films {{FSC|221664|title-id|disp=88007-88009}}
*{{FSC|116542|title-id|disp=English wills, 1498-1526}} which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford
*Bedfordshire wills, {{FSC|79682|title-id|disp=1480-1519}}
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard : persons named in wills proved {{FSC|1474249|title-id|disp=1701-1846}}
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records,{{FSC|703748|title-id|disp=1484-1858}} The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard
*Wills and administrations, Aylesbury Peculiar Court, 1624-1858 See FS Library fims {{FSC|291040|title-id|disp=95109 and 95100}}
*Prebendal Court (Leighton-Buzzard) {{FSC|252871|title-id|disp=Probate records, 1537-1842 Index 1736-1846}}
*{{FSC|4791|title-id|disp=Index}} to records of Lincoln Peculiar Courts with Peculiar of Biggleswade
*Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857}} The Act books contain some Admon Grants from the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade
*Some transcripts of Bedfordshire Wills at Lambeth and Lincoln {{FSC|124544|title-id|disp=1387-1570 v. 14}}
*Bedfordshire wills {{FSC|132268|title-id|disp=1601-1652}} at probate registry Lincoln, England, all name index
*Everton and Swineshead parishes have some references in the following court record Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, {{FSC|374857|title-id|disp=1559-1857, 1559-1857 }}<br>
*[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/ Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]


== Probate Indexes Online ==
==== Exceptions ====


Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858) [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=6&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1]
There were six Bedfordshire parishes that were exceptions to this--Biggleswade, Billington, Eggington, Heath and Rich, Leighton Buzzard, and Stanbridge. To see the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over these parishes, click [[Bedfordshire Probate Court Jurisdictions|here]]. <br>


== Probate Indexes ==
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record ====


*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 This includes indexes for the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade and the Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=703748&disp=Index+of+Bedfordshire+probate+records%2C%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:  
*Archdeaconry of Bedfordshire. Court FHL films 88007-88009[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=221664&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*English wills, 1498-1526 which are transcribed and many from the Archdeacon of Bedford [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=116542&disp=English+wills%2C+1498%2D1526%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Bedfordshire wills, 1480-1519 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=79682&disp=Bedfordshire+wills%2C+1480%2D1519%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard&nbsp;: persons named in wills proved 1701-1846 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1474249&disp=The+peculiar+court+of+Leighton+Buzzard%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 The Peculiar Court of Leighton Buzzard [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=703748&disp=Index+of+Bedfordshire+probate+records%2C%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Wills and administrations, 1624-1858 See FHL fims 95109 and 95100 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=291040&disp=Wills+and+administrations++]
*Prebendal Court (Leighton-Buzzard) Probate records, 1537-1842 Index 1736-1846 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=252871&disp=Probate+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Index of Bedfordshire probate records, 1484-1858 The Peculiar Court of Biggleswade[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=703748&disp=Index+of+Bedfordshire+probate+records%2C%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Index to records of Lincoln Peculiar Courts with Peculiar of Biggleswade [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=4791&disp=Index+to+records+of+Lincoln+Peculiar+Cou%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, 1559-1857, 1559-1857 The Act books contain some Admon Grants from the Peculiar Court of Biggleswade [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=374857&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Commissary+Court++]
*Some transcripts of Bedfordshire Wills at Lambeth and Lincoln 1387-1570 v. 14 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=124544&disp=The+Publications+of+the+Bedfordshire+His%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Bedfordshire wills 1601-1652 at probate registry Lincoln, England, all name index [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=132268&disp=Bedfordshire+wills+1601%2D1652+at+probat%20%20&columns=*,0,0]
*Everton and Swineshead parishes have some references in the following court record Probate records for the Commissary Court of Lincoln for the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, 1559-1857, 1559-1857 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=374857&disp=Probate+records+for+the+Commissary+Court%20%20&columns=*,0,0]<br>


== Estate Duty Records<br> ==
*{{FSC|England, Bedfordshire - Probate records|subject|subject-id=2138059186|disp=Bedfordshire 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>


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. Estate duty indexes may help locate a will. For more information, go to [[Estate Duty Records]].<br>
== Bedfordshire Probate Courts  ==


== Probates After 1857 ==
Most of Bedfordshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford|Court of the Archdeaconry of Bedford]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts, which were the [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]] before 1837, and the [[Court of the Bishop of Ely (Episcopal Consistory)]] starting in 1837. The courts should be searched in that order.  The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] (and the appeals courts if necessary) should be searched last.


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. For more information, go to [[Principal Probate Registry]].<br>
However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction over certain parishes within the county. Click on a court name below to learn about the parishes they cover and their records and indexes.  


<br>
*[[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 Aylesbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade|Court of the Peculiar of Biggleswade]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard|Court of the Peculiar of Leighton Buzzard]]<br>


{{Place|Bedfordshire}}  
{{Place|Bedfordshire|Probate}} {{England Probate Records}}


[[Category:Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Bedfordshire Probate Records]]
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