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Northamptonshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
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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/her heirs. 
''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 Northamptonshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.


In order to find a probate record for your ancestor, you must answer two questions:
===1858 to the Present===


#When did your ancestor die?
Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
#Where did your ancestor live or own property?


A key date is 1858, when probate authority was taken from the ecclesiatical courts of the Church of England and given to the civil government. 
====Online Records====


*If your ancestor died before 1858, his/her probate would have been proven by an ecclesiatical court and it is important to know where he/she lived, as that will determine which courts had jurisdiction. 
*'''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
*If you know where your ancestor lived before 1858, you should go to the '''Court Jurisdictions''' section below to determine what courts had jurisdiction over your ancestor's place of residence. 
*Beginning in 1858, probate authority was vested in the '''Principal Probate Registry''' system.  For more information, scroll to the '''Post-1857 Probate Records''' section at the bottom of the page.


Once you have answered the two questions and determined the courts, look for indexes. Indexes will be found on the individual court pages (when you click on a court name) or in the '''Probate Indexes''' section below.<br><br>
===Before 1858===


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


The following probate courts had some jurisdiction over the county of Northamptonshire prior to 1858:
====Step 1. Search Indexes====


*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Banbury|Court of the Peculiar Parish of Banbury]]
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Northamptonshire. Search these indexes first:
*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Gretton|Court of the Peculiar Parish of Gretton]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Nassington|Court of the Peculiar Parish of Nassington]]
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton|Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Peterborough (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln (Cathedral)|Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln (Cathedral)]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*[[Court of Arches|Court of Arches]]
*[[High Court of Delegates|High Court of Delegates]]


<br>
*[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/probate-and-wills Online Probate Index 1469-1857]  The Northamptonshire and Rutland Probate Index has been created from several of the earlier indexes of probate records held in the Northampton Record Office. The index contains 87,058 entries that cover the period 1469 to 1857.
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*Index and extracts of all wills and admons of the Peculiar Court of Gretton and Duddington from Film #200,101 can be found [[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maureenbryson/gretton_and_duddington_wills.htm here.]]


== Some explanatory notes on the courts in Northamptonshire  ==
Filmed Indexes available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City:


Since civil and ecclesiastical boundaries were not necessarily one and the same, it is important in pre-1858 probate searches to consider nearby courts including those situated across county boundaries. Also, ecclesiastical boundaries and rights were not always observed or may have been changed over the years.  
*Church of England. Archdeaconry of Northampton. Court Probate records, 1467-1877 {{FSC|350023|title-id|disp=}}
*{{FSC|213406|title-id|disp=A Calendar of wills}} relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland: proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652. Also online at the [https://archive.org/details/calendarofwillsr01phil Internet Archive] (£Free) and at [https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/coverage/wills-probates-and-testaments/?level=gold#includes The Genealogist.co.uk] under wills probates and testaments
*Administrations in the Archdeaconry of Northampton : now preserved in the District Probate Registry at Birmingham Contents: [pt. 1]. 1667-1710 -- pt. 2. 1711-1800 {{FSC|203000|title-id|disp=}}


Many peculiar courts closed before 1858. When this occurred jurisdiction reverted to the local archdeaconry and/or diocesan courts.
<br>Did you find a reference to a probate record?


Before 1541 Northamptonshire was in the diocese of Lincoln, and from 1541 to 1858 (except for peculiars) was in the diocese of Peterborough. It appears that from 1541 to 1598 the court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archeacon of Northampton exercised concurrent Jurisdiction in the county.  
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


The rolls of the Burgess Court of Higham Ferrers contain the texts of many wills which were registered in respect of property there (See ''Historical Manuscripts Commission Report xii,'' appendix part 9, page 530), but the wills were actually proved in the Archdeaconry of Northampton and are found in the records of that court.
====Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died====


The original records of the Court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archdeacon of Northampton are at the Northampton Record Office, Delapre Abbey, Northampton. Those for the Courts of the Peculiar Parishes of Gretton and&nbsp; Nassington are at the Lincolnshire Archive Office, The Castle, Lincoln.  
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.


== Court Jurisdictions  ==
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:


Before 1858, every town and parish in&nbsp;Northamptonshire fell under the jurisdiction of a primary probate court and several secondary courts. When looking for the probate of the estate of an ancestor, you should search the primary court first then move on to the secondary courts in the order given. Search indexes first. Indexes are found by clicking on the court name above.  
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]


To see a list of the&nbsp;Northamptonshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click on the letter the parish name begins with:  
The gazetteer will either tell you:  


[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes A|A]] &nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B-C|B-C]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes D through F|D-F]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes G through H|G-H]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes I through M|I-M]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N through P|N-P]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes Q through S|Q-S]]&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes T through Z|T-Z]]
*A place is a parish, or
*What parish it is a part of, or
*What place it is near.


<br>
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.


{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" width="95%"
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
|-
! width="15%" style="background: rgb(255, 222, 173) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" | PARISH
! width="40%" style="background: rgb(255, 222, 173) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" | PRIMARY COURT
! width="40%" style="background: rgb(255, 222, 173) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER
|-
| Abington
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
====Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish====


3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
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 Northamptonshire 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.


{| style="width: 611px; height: 25px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| Abthorpe
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes A|A]] 
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]  
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B|B]] 
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C|C]] 
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]  
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes D through F|D-F]]
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes G through H|G-H]] 
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes I through M|I-M]] 
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N through P|N-P]]
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes Q through S|Q-S]] 
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes T and U|T-U]] 
| [[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes V through Z|V-Z]]
|}


2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
<br>
====Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record====


3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:


|-
*{{FSC|344110|subject_id|disp=Northamptonshire 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>
| Addington, Great
*Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]  
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
==Northamptonshire Probate Courts==


3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
The names of the courts with jurisdiction over Northamptonshire are:


|-
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| Addington, Little
*[[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Banbury]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Gretton]]
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Nassington]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
<br>


3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
===Some Explanatory Notes on the courts in Northamptonshire===


|-
Since civil and ecclesiastical boundaries were not necessarily one and the same, it is important in pre-1858 probate searches to consider nearby courts including those situated across county boundaries. Also, ecclesiastical boundaries and rights were not always observed or may have been changed over the years.
| Adstone
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
Many peculiar courts closed before 1858. When this occurred jurisdiction reverted to the local archdeaconry and/or diocesan courts.


3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
Before 1541 Northamptonshire was in the diocese of Lincoln, and from 1541 to 1858 (except for peculiars) was in the diocese of Peterborough. It appears that from 1541 to 1598 the court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archeacon of Northampton exercised concurrent Jurisdiction in the county.


|-
The rolls of the Burgess Court of Higham Ferrers contain the texts of many wills which were registered in respect of property there (See ''Historical Manuscripts Commission Report xii,'' appendix part 9, page 530), but the wills were actually proved in the Archdeaconry of Northampton and are found in the records of that court.  
| Alderton
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Aldwincle All Saints
| [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
| Pre-1541
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
4 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
1541-1597
 
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
Post-1597
 
2 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Aldwincle St Peter
| [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
| Pre-1541
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
4 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
1541-1597
 
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
Post-1597
 
2 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Althorp
| Search the courts of the surrounding parishes
| .
|-
| Apethorpe with Woodnewton
| Pre-1851 - [[Court of the Peculiar of Nassington]]; Post-1850 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| Pre-1851
2 - [[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter on Lincoln]]
 
3 - [[Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of Lincoln and of the Archdeacon in the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon]]
 
4 - Pre-1837: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
4 - Post-1836: [[Court of the Bishop of Ely]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
5 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
Post-1850
 
2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Arthingworth
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashby St Ledgers
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashby, Canons
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashby, Castle
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)  
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashby, Cold
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashby, Mears
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashley
| [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
| Pre-1541
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
4 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
1541-1597
 
2 - [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
 
3 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
Post-1597
 
2 - [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Ashton
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Aston le Walls
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
|-
| Aynhoe
| [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
| 2 - Pre-1541: [[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln]] (Episcopal Consistory)
2 - 1541-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
 
2 - Post-1597: [[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
 
3 - Pre-1541 &amp; Post-1597: [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] <br>
 
|}
 
<br>
 
== Probate Indexes Online  ==
 
Before looking for a will, you should search an index.
 
[http://www.familyhistoryonline.net/database/NorthantsFHSprobate.shtml http://www.familyhistoryonline.net/database/NorthantsFHSprobate.shtml]
 
See coverage on website, but&nbsp;pre-1858 probate records.
 
The Northamptonshire and Rutland Probate Index has been created by Kay Collins, a volunteer at the Northampton Record Office, partially assisted by several others, from several of the earlier indices of probate records held in the Northampton Record Office. This composite index was commenced in 1997 and the records in this database include all work done up to 2005. The project is now largely complete (errors and omissions excepted) and this database may be updated at a future date with corrections and/or omissions.<br>[http://www.northants-familytree.net/northants%20wills%201853-1857.html http://www.northants-familytree.net/northants%20wills%201853-1857.html]
 
A list of all wills proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Northampton for the years 1853-1857.
 
== Post-1857 Probate Records  ==
 
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].  


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>
The original records of the Court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archdeacon of Northampton are at the [https://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/archives-and-heritage/northamptonshire-archives/Pages/default.aspx Northamptonshire Archives]. Those for the Courts of the Peculiar Parishes of Gretton and Nassington are at the [https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/lincolnshire-archives/ Lincolnshire Archives].  


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

Latest revision as of 19:05, 24 October 2023

Northamptonshire Wiki Topics
File:Flag_of_Northamptonshire.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Northamptonshire Background
Local Research Resources


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 Northamptonshire. 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 Northamptonshire, follow these steps:

Step 1. Search Indexes

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

  • Online Probate Index 1469-1857 The Northamptonshire and Rutland Probate Index has been created from several of the earlier indexes of probate records held in the Northampton Record Office. The index contains 87,058 entries that cover the period 1469 to 1857.
  • Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Index and extracts of all wills and admons of the Peculiar Court of Gretton and Duddington from Film #200,101 can be found [here.]

Filmed Indexes available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City:

  • Church of England. Archdeaconry of Northampton. Court Probate records, 1467-1877 [1]
  • A Calendar of wills relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland: proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652. Also online at the Internet Archive (£Free) and at The Genealogist.co.uk under wills probates and testaments
  • Administrations in the Archdeaconry of Northampton : now preserved in the District Probate Registry at Birmingham Contents: [pt. 1]. 1667-1710 -- pt. 2. 1711-1800 [2]


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 Northamptonshire 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-F G-H I-M N-P Q-S T-U V-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:

Northamptonshire Probate Courts

The names of the courts with jurisdiction over Northamptonshire are:


Some Explanatory Notes on the courts in Northamptonshire

Since civil and ecclesiastical boundaries were not necessarily one and the same, it is important in pre-1858 probate searches to consider nearby courts including those situated across county boundaries. Also, ecclesiastical boundaries and rights were not always observed or may have been changed over the years.

Many peculiar courts closed before 1858. When this occurred jurisdiction reverted to the local archdeaconry and/or diocesan courts.

Before 1541 Northamptonshire was in the diocese of Lincoln, and from 1541 to 1858 (except for peculiars) was in the diocese of Peterborough. It appears that from 1541 to 1598 the court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archeacon of Northampton exercised concurrent Jurisdiction in the county.

The rolls of the Burgess Court of Higham Ferrers contain the texts of many wills which were registered in respect of property there (See Historical Manuscripts Commission Report xii, appendix part 9, page 530), but the wills were actually proved in the Archdeaconry of Northampton and are found in the records of that court.

The original records of the Court of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Court of the Archdeacon of Northampton are at the Northamptonshire Archives. Those for the Courts of the Peculiar Parishes of Gretton and Nassington are at the Lincolnshire Archives.

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