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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Northumberland]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Northumberland Probate Records]]''
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| link1=[[England Genealogy|England]]
For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]].
| link2=[[Northumberland, England Genealogy|Northumberland]]
 
| link3=
<br>
| link4=
| link5=[[Northumberland_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
}}


== 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. Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until 1858. Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from the ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The Post-1857 Probate Records section below contains links to additional information about the records of this court.  
''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 Northumberland. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.  


To look for a probate record before 1858:<br>
=== 1858 to the Present  ===


#Discover when and where your ancestor died. If you don’t know, use the approximate date and place where they lived. <br>
Beginning in 1858, the [[Principal Probate Registry|Principal Probate Registry]] had the authority for probating estates. Click on the link to learn more.
#Go to the&nbsp;[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Northumberland_Probate_Records#Court_Jurisdictions Court Jurisdictions] section below.<br>
#Click a letter or span of letters for your place name. This opens a jurisdictions table.<br>
#Follow the instructions on the jurisdictions table page.<br>


<br>
==== Online Records ====


== Northumberland Probate Courts  ==
*'''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
*'''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904/ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry
*'''1858-2019''' [https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019] at Findmypast


The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the towns and parishes of Northumberland before 1858:&nbsp;
=== Before 1858 ===


*[[Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Durham|Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)]]
Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Northumberland, follow these steps:
*[[Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of York in Hexham and Hexhamshire]]
*[[Court of the Predendary of Thockrington]]


In addition, the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] had jurisdiction over the whole of England. Wealthier individuals, people who owned property in more than one county or lower court's jurisdiction, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court.  
==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====


=== Appeals Courts  ===
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Northumberland. Search these indexes first:


Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could be sent to these higher appeals courts:  
*[https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/york-peculiars-probate-index-1383-1883 York Peculiars Probate Index] covers over 25,000 wills proved in the fifty four peculiar courts of the Province of York in the five-hundred year period from 1383 to 1883.
*[https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/prerogative-and-exchequer-courts-of-york-probate-index-1688-1858 Prerogative &amp; Exchequer Courts of York Probate Index 1842-1858] [http://www.originsnetwork.com/help/popup-aboutbo-ypec.htm <br>]
*An index covering [https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/york-medieval-probate-index-1267-1500 1267 to 1500] includes 10,000 wills proved in the Prerogative &amp; Exchequer Courts of York.
*The [https://familyrecords.awh.durham.ac.uk/nei/ Durham and Northumberland probate records, 1527-1857.] The digital images will be searchable by name, place, occupation or date.
**[https://familyrecords.awh.durham.ac.uk/nei/data/advanced.php North East Inheritance database (pre-1858 Durham Probate Records).] To learn more about the project and search the index.


*[[Court of Arches]]
Did you find a reference to a probate record?
*[[High Court of Delegates]]


The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] also served as an appeals court.
*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. 


== 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 Northumberland was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. When looking for the will of an ancestor, search the courts in the order given. Search indexes first. For indexes, click on the court name links above.  
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/ Vision of Britain]


To see&nbsp;a list of Northumberland&nbsp;places and the pre-1858 ecclesiastical courts that jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:
The gazetteer will either tell you:  


&nbsp; [[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes A|A]], &nbsp;[[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with B and C|B-C]], &nbsp;[[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with D through J|D-J]], &nbsp;[[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with K through R|K-R]], &nbsp;[[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with S through Z|S-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.


== Probate Indexes Online  ==
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.


Before looking for a will, you should search an index.  
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====


[http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/ http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/]
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 Northumberland 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.  


Durham and Northumberland probate records, 1527-1857<br>Planned completion date: summer 2009.
To see a list of Northumberland places and the pre-1858 ecclesiastical courts that jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:  


<br>
[[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes A|A]],  [[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with B and C|B-C]],  [[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with D through J|D-J]],  [[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with K through R|K-R]],  [[Northumberland Probate Jurisdictions for Places Beginning with S through Z|S-Z]]<br>


== Estate Duty Records<br> ==
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====


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 you locate a will. For more information, go to [[Estate Duty Records]].<br>
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:


<br>
*{{FSC|England, Northumberland - Probate records|subject|subject-id=505228740|disp=Northumberland 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.


== Post-1857 Probate Records ==
== Northumberland Probate Courts ==


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/cms/1176.htm HMCS website].
The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the towns and parishes of Northumberland before 1858:


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 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=authordetails&authorno=301365&name=Great+Britain%2E+Principal+Probate+Registry&columns=*,0,0 records] for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>
*[[Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)|Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Archbishop of York in Hexham and Hexhamshire]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Thockrington]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


{{Place|Northumberland}}
{{Template:Pros-NEE}}<br>


[[Category:Northumberland|Probate Records]]
[[Category:Northumberland Probate Records]]
[[Category:Probate records in England]]

Latest revision as of 01:39, 11 February 2025

Northumberland Wiki Topics
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Beginning Research
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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 Northumberland. 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 Northumberland, follow these steps:

Step 1. Search Indexes

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

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 Northumberland 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.

To see a list of Northumberland places and the pre-1858 ecclesiastical courts that jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:

A, B-C, D-J, K-R, S-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:

Northumberland Probate Courts

The following ecclesiastical courts had some probate jurisdiction over the towns and parishes of Northumberland before 1858:


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