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For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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Return to the main [[Kent|Kent]] page.
== Getting Started  ==


== Kent Probate Courts<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 Kent. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.


The following probate courts&nbsp;had some jurisdiction over the county of Kent prior to 1858:
=== 1858 to the Present  ===


*[[Court of the Bishop of Canterbury|Court of the Bishop of Canterbury]]  
Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury|Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury]]  
 
*[[Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal consistory) and Archdeaconry of Rochester|Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal consistory) and Archdeaconry of Rochester]]
==== Online Records ====
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Deaneries of the Arches, Croydon and Shoreham|Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Deaneries of the Arches, Croydon and Shoreham]]  
 
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe|Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe]]
*'''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
*[[Court of the Exempt Jurisdiction of Wingham|Court of the Exempt Jurisdiction of Wingham]]
*'''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904/ England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry ($) index
*[[Court of the Prior and Chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury|Court of the Prior and Chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury]]
*'''1858-2018''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England and Wales Government Probate Death Index, 1858-2018] at Findmypast ($) index
*[[Court of the Bishop of London|Court of the Bishop of London]]
 
*[[Prerogative Court of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of Canterbury]]
=== Before 1858  ===
 
Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Kent, follow these steps:
 
==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====
 
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Kent. Search these indexes first:
 
* [https://wills.kentarchives.org.uk/ Canterbury Probate Records, 1396-1858] at the Kent County Council
 
Here is a list of indexes on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/probate-and-wills findmypast.co.uk ] available online for the county of Kent.  None of the indexes are comprehensive, but they will be added to over time.
 
FamilySearch also provides an online collection for Kent County: [[England, Kent, Wills and Probate - FamilySearch Historical Records|England, Kent, Wills and Probate - FamilySearch Historical Records]]<br>
 
Printed indexes to probate records may be available in many locations including English county archives and other record repositories, libraries, and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.
 
*To access an English county archive, go to [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/#common GENUKI] and search for the archives for Kent or another county of interest.
*For printed indexes that are available through the FamilySearch Library, click on the name of a court above. <br>
 
Did you find a reference to a probate record?
 
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
 
==== Step 2. Identify when and where 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:
 
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/expertsearch Vision of Britain]
 
The gazetteer will either tell you:


== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent<br> ==
*A place is a parish, or
*What parish it is a part of, or
*What place it is near.


The Court of the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Court of the Episcopal consistory of Canterbury, and the Court of the Bishop and the Archdeacon of Rochester technically did not have jurisdiction over the Peculiar of Wingham, the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Episcopal Consistory and Archdeaconry of Rochester, but as the larger courts of original jurisdiction in the county they will often contain probate records of persons who resided in the other jurisdictions.
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.  


In the diocese of Canterbury, the Commissary-General exercised probate jurisdiction within the diocese. He also exercised the Archbishop’s prerogative throughout the diocese, and prerogative probate records exist from 1397 to about 1759 in the records of the Court of the Episcopal Consistory of Canterbury.<br>
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.  


== Kent Parishes and Their Probate Jurisdictions <br> ==
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====


This list of Kent parishes contains a prioritized list of courts with jurisdiction over each parish. Click on the letter the parish name begins with to see which courts to search for probates of persons living in or owning property in that parish. <br><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. Every town and parish in Kent fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Click on a link below for the letter the parish begins with.  


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{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="511" border="0"
|-
|-
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions|A]]  
| [[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions|A]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with B|B]]  
| [[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with B|B]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with C|C]]  
| [[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with C|C]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with D|D]]  
| [[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with D|D]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with E|E]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with E|E]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with F and G|F-G]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with F and G|F-G]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with H|H]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with H|H]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with I through K|I-K]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with I through K|I-K]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with L|L]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with L|L]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with M and N|M-N]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with M and N|M-N]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with O through R|O-R]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with O through R|O-R]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with S|S]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with S|S]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with T through V|T-V]]  
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with T through V|T-V]]  
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with W through Z|W-Z]]
| [[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with W through Z|W-Z]]
|}
|}


<br>
<br>  
 
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====
 
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:
 
*{{FSC|471934|subject_id|disp=Kent 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.
 
== Kent Probate Courts  ==


== Probate Indexes ==
The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the county of Kent prior to 1858. Click on a court name to learn more about its records and indexes and how to find the probate of your ancestor in the court's records.


Before searching probate records, search indexes.
*[[Court of the Bishop of Canterbury|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury|Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury]]
*[[Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) and Archdeaconry of Rochester|Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) and Archdeaconry of Rochester]]
*[[Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Chichester for the Archdeaconry of Lewes]]
*[[Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Chichester for the Archdeaconry of Chichester]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Deaneries of Arches, Croydon and Shoreham|Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Deaneries of Arches, Croydon and Shoreham]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe|Court of the Peculiar of the Rector of Cliffe]]
*[[Court of the Exempt Jurisdiction of Wingham|Court of the Exempt Jurisdiction of Wingham]]
*[[Court of the Prior and Chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury|Court of the Prior and Chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of London|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of London]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


=== '''Indexes on the Internet''' ===
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent ==


Here is a list of&nbsp;[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mrawson/probate.html indexes] on the Internet for the county of Kent.&nbsp; None of the indexes are comprehensive, but they will be added to over time.  
The Court of the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Court of the Episcopal consistory of Canterbury, and the Court of the Bishop and the Archdeacon of Rochester technically did not have jurisdiction over the Peculiar of Wingham, the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Episcopal Consistory and Archdeaconry of Rochester, but as the larger courts of original jurisdiction in the county, they will often contain probate records of persons who resided in the other jurisdictions.  


=== Printed Indexes ===
The Commissary-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury was the judge of the Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury. He exercised probate jurisdiction within the diocese of Canterbury, and he also exercised the Archbishop’s prerogative throughout the diocese.  Therefore, records of probate that would have normally gone through the Archbishop's court, will be found in the records of the Court of the Bishop of Canterbury, particularly before 1759.


For printed indexes that are available through the Family History Library, click on the name of a court above.
'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:'''
<br>


=== Post-1857 Probate Records ===
[[England, Kent, Wills and Probate - FamilySearch Historical Records|England, Kent, Wills and Probate (FmilySearch Historical Records)]]<br><br>


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].
Courtesy of the Kent Archeological Society:  


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 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>
*[http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/KRV/09/Intro.htm Index of Wills Proved in the Rochester Consistory Court 1440-1561] by Leland L. Duncan
*[http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/Wills/WillsIntro.htm Medieval &amp; Tutor Kent PCC &amp; CCC Wills] collected by Leland Lews Duncan...
*Many probate indexes are available at the [http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/Wills/WillsIntro.htm Kent Archaeological Society] website
<br>


[[Category:England|England]]
[[Category:Kent Probate Records]]

Latest revision as of 10:48, 14 March 2024

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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 wills and administrations. This article is about probate records in Kent. See England Probate Records for a general description of probate records in England.

1858 to the Present

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

Online Records

Before 1858

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

Step 1. Search Indexes

Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Kent. Search these indexes first:

Here is a list of indexes on findmypast.co.uk available online for the county of Kent. None of the indexes are comprehensive, but they will be added to over time.

FamilySearch also provides an online collection for Kent County: England, Kent, Wills and Probate - FamilySearch Historical Records

Printed indexes to probate records may be available in many locations including English county archives and other record repositories, libraries, and the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.

  • To access an English county archive, go to GENUKI and search for the archives for Kent or another county of interest.
  • For printed indexes that are available through the FamilySearch Library, click on the name of a court above.

Did you find a reference to a probate record?

  • If yes, go to Step 4 below.
  • If no, go to Step 2 below.

Step 2. Identify when and where 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 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:

The gazetteer will either tell you:

  • A place is a parish, or
  • 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.

Once you have identified the parish, go to Step 3.

Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish

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. Every town and parish in Kent fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Click on a link below for the letter the parish begins with.

A B C D E F-G H I-K L M-N O-R S T-V W-Z


Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record

Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:

Kent Probate Courts

The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the county of Kent prior to 1858. Click on a court name to learn more about its records and indexes and how to find the probate of your ancestor in the court's records.

Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent

The Court of the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Court of the Episcopal consistory of Canterbury, and the Court of the Bishop and the Archdeacon of Rochester technically did not have jurisdiction over the Peculiar of Wingham, the Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Episcopal Consistory and Archdeaconry of Rochester, but as the larger courts of original jurisdiction in the county, they will often contain probate records of persons who resided in the other jurisdictions.

The Commissary-General of the Archbishop of Canterbury was the judge of the Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury. He exercised probate jurisdiction within the diocese of Canterbury, and he also exercised the Archbishop’s prerogative throughout the diocese. Therefore, records of probate that would have normally gone through the Archbishop's court, will be found in the records of the Court of the Bishop of Canterbury, particularly before 1759.

A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:

England, Kent, Wills and Probate (FmilySearch Historical Records)

Courtesy of the Kent Archeological Society:


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