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| link5=[[Durham_Probate_Records|Probate Records]] | |||
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== 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 Durham. | ''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 Durham. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England. | ||
=== 1858 to the Present === | === 1858 to the Present === | ||
Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more. | Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more. | ||
==== Online Records ==== | |||
* '''1858-1957''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/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 & images | |||
* '''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904 England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry($); index | |||
* '''1858-2019''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019] at Findmypast($); index | |||
=== Before 1858 === | === Before 1858 === | ||
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Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Durham. Search these indexes first: | Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Durham. Search these indexes first: | ||
*[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/ Durham and Northumberland probate records, 1527-1857]. | *[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/ Durham and Northumberland probate records, 1527-1857]. Index is wonderful! | ||
* | **[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/intro.php North East Inheritance database (pre-1858 Durham Probate Records)]. To learn more about the project and search the index. | ||
*[https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12122 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1383-1858] | |||
*{{FSC|1928667|item|disp=Sunderland Wills and Invetories Transcribed 1601-1650 with 90 probate records}} | |||
<br>Did you find a reference to a probate record? | <br>Did you find a reference to a probate record? | ||
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==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ==== | ==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ==== | ||
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. | Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date. | ||
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: | 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: | ||
*[ | *[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/ Vision of Britain] | ||
The gazetteer will either tell you: | The gazetteer will either tell you: | ||
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Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods: | Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods: | ||
*{{FSC|England, Durham - Probate records|subject|subject-id=1190955462|disp=Durham 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. | *Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection. | ||
== Durham Probate Courts == | == Durham Probate Courts == | ||
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*[[Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York]] | *[[Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York]] | ||
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] | *[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] | ||
== Durham Probate Collections == | |||
The following collections contain various records relating to probate from County Durham. | |||
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Allertonshire Peculiar Administration Bonds and Inventories - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Allertonshire Peculiar Stray Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Probate Inventories - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Registered Wills - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham Diocese, Renunciations - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham, Dean and Chapter of Durham's Allerton and Allertonshire Original Wills, Inventories and Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham, Diocese of Durham Original Wills - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
*[[England, Durham, Probate Commissions, Monitions and Citations - FamilySearch Historical Records]] | |||
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts of Durham == | == Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts of Durham == | ||
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The earliest original wills for Durham date from 1540, but there are some registered copy wills for 1526-1534. There are earlier records filed with the superior courts, some dating back to 1311, in the bishop's general serices of act books. There are gaps in the records for early periods; others in poor condition. | The earliest original wills for Durham date from 1540, but there are some registered copy wills for 1526-1534. There are earlier records filed with the superior courts, some dating back to 1311, in the bishop's general serices of act books. There are gaps in the records for early periods; others in poor condition. | ||
Inventories were prevalent from the earliest period through th efirst quarter of the 18th century. They may be filed with the administration bonds as well as with the original wills. Registered copies are usually indexed and arranged chronologically. Page numbers appear in the upper right corner and testators' names are frequently written in the margins. There may be an inventory written at the end of the copy will and almost always there will be a probate act in Latin indicating when the will was proven.<br> | Inventories were prevalent from the earliest period through th efirst quarter of the 18th century. They may be filed with the administration bonds as well as with the original wills. Registered copies are usually indexed and arranged chronologically. Page numbers appear in the upper right corner and testators' names are frequently written in the margins. There may be an inventory written at the end of the copy will and almost always there will be a probate act in Latin indicating when the will was proven.<br> | ||
== Other On-line Information == | |||
*[https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/ Durham University Special Collection] Durham Probate Records | |||
{{Place|Durham|Probate Records}} | |||
{{England Probate Records}} | |||
{{Template:Pros-NEE}} | |||
[[Category:Durham]] | [[Category:Durham Probate Records|Probate]] | ||
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