Buckinghamshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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Probate Records

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 Buckinghamshire. 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

1858-1957 England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Before 1858

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

Step 1. Search Indexes

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

Between 1483-1858, the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham proved over 35,000 wills of ordinary people of Buckinghamshire. The Volumes of wills registered in the court of the Archdeacon of Buckingham, 1483-1858 at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies contains an online index. Click on Details next to each entry to view index.
The Buckinghamshire Family History Society has created an online searchable will index.
Buckinghamshire Probate Records 1483-1660 and Buckinghamshire Peculiars 1420-1660 at Findmypast ($).

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:

Vision of Britain

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.

Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Most of Buckinghamshire was under the primary jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham, hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the records of that court and its superior (or secondary) courts. Click on the court name link in the previous sentence to learn about the records.

For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes that were exceptions to the above, and the courts that had jurisdiction over them, click here. The list of courts is also listed below in the Buckinghamshire Probate Courts.

Always search indexes first. To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the Search Indexes section above.

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:

Buckinghamshire England Probate Records(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - some images may only be available at a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.

Buckinghamshire Probate Courts

Most of Buckinghamshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham. However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Buckinghamshire]]''
+{{Buckinghamshire-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
+| link1=[[England Genealogy|England]]
+| link2=[[Buckinghamshire, England Genealogy|Buckinghamshire]]
+| link3=
+| link4=
+| link5=[[Buckinghamshire_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
+}}
-For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here.]]
+== 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 Buckinghamshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.
+=== 1858 to the Present  ===
-== Getting Started  ==
+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''' {{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
+=== Before 1858  ===
-''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until 1858. Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Buckinghamshire_Probate_Records#Post-1857_Probate_Records Post-1857 Probate Records] section below contains links to additional information about the records of this court.
+Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Buckinghamshire, follow these steps:
-To look for a probate record before 1858:
+==== 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.
+Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Buckinghamshire. Search these indexes first:
-#Go to [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Yorkshire_Probate_Records#Court_Jurisdictions Court Jurisdictions] section below.
-#Click a letter or span of letters for your place name. This opens a jurisdictions table.
-#Follow the instructions on the jurisdictions table page.<br>
-== Buckinghamshire Probate Courts  ==
+*Between 1483-1858, the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]] proved over 35,000 wills of ordinary people of Buckinghamshire. The [https://archives.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/records/D-A/WE Volumes of wills registered in the court of the Archdeacon of Buckingham, 1483-1858] at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies contains an online index. Click on ''Details'' next to each entry to view index.
+*The Buckinghamshire Family History Society has created an online searchable [https://www.bucksfhs.org.uk/index.php/database-searches/family-history-news/25-other-bucks-news/384-bucks-wills-index-on-line will index].
+*[https://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/england-and-wales-published-wills-and-probate-indexes-1300-1858-volumes-available/buckinghamshire/buckinghamshire-probate-records-1483-1660-and-buckinghamshire-peculiars-1420-1660-original-introduction Buckinghamshire Probate Records 1483-1660 and Buckinghamshire Peculiars 1420-1660] at Findmypast ($).
-Most of Buckinghamshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]]. The majority of probate searches will be in the records of this court and its superior courts. However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.
+Did you find a reference to a probate record?
-*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of St. Albans]]
+*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
-*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
+*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
-*[[Court of the Bishop of London]] (Episcopal Consistory)
-*[[Courts of the Bishop and Archdeaconry of Oxford]] (Episcopal Consistory)
-*[[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 Banbury]]
-*[[Court of the Peculiar of Bierton]]
-*[[Court of the Peculiar of Buckingham]]
-*[[Court of the Peculiar of Monks Risborough]]
-*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of Eton]]
-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 Archibishop's court.&nbsp;
+==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====
-=== Appeals Courts  ===
+Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.
-Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could go to these high appeals 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:
-*[[Court of Arches]]
+*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
-*[[High Court of Delegates]]
-The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] could also serve as an appeals court.
+The gazetteer will either tell you:
-== Court Jurisdictions  ==
+*A place is a parish, or
+*What parish it is a part of, or
+*What place it is near.
-Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Most of Buckinghamshire was under the primary jurisdiction of the Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham, hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the records of that court and its superior (or secondary) courts.
+If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.
-For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes that were exceptions, click [[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions|'''here''']].
+Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.
-Search the courts in the order given. Search indexes first. To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the '''Probate Indexes''' section below.
+==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
-== Probate Indexes Online  ==
+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.
-Before looking for a will, you should search an index.<br>
+<br>Before 1858, every town and parish in Buckinghamshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. Most of Buckinghamshire was under the primary jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham|Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]], hence the majority of genealogical searches will be in the records of that court and its superior (or secondary) courts. Click on the court name link in the previous sentence to learn about the records.
-Between 1483-1858, the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]] proved over 35,000 wills of ordinary people of Buckinghamshire. The  [http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/sites/bcc/archives/Centre_for_Buckinghamshire_Studies.page|   Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies] has an index to the records in its collection. The index includes wills and some administrations of people who may have died without leaving a will (administrations not complete).<br>
+For a list of Buckinghamshire parishes that were ''exceptions'' to the above, and the courts that had jurisdiction over them, click [[Buckinghamshire Probate Jurisdictions|'''here''']]. The list of courts is also listed below in the '''Buckinghamshire Probate Courts.'''
-<br>
+Always search indexes first. To see a list of indexes, click on a court name or go to the '''Search Indexes '''section above'''.'''
-== 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. Between 1813-1858 estate duty indexes may help 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:
+*{{FSC|374308|subject_id|disp=Buckinghamshire 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>
-== Post-1857 Probate Records  ==
+== Buckinghamshire 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/infoabout/civil/probate/index.htm HMCS website].
+Most of Buckinghamshire was under the pre-1858 probate jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham]]. However, the following courts also had some pre-1858 jurisdiction within the county. Click on a court name to learn about records and indexes.
-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 the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=517092&disp=Record+copy+wills%2C+1858%2D1925%20%20&columns=*,0,0 Principal Registry] and the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=517092&disp=Record+copy+wills%2C+1858%2D1925%20%20&columns=*,0,0 District Registries] for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.<br>
+*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of St. Albans]]
+*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
+*[[Court of the Bishop of London]] (Episcopal Consistory)
+*[[Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) and Archdeaconry of Oxford|Courts of the Bishop and Archdeaconry of Oxford (Episcopal Consistory)]]
+*[[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 Banbury]]
+*[[Court of the Peculiar of Bierton]]
+*[[Court of the Peculiar of Buckingham]]
+*[[Court of the Peculiar of Monks Risborough]]
+*[[Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of Eton]]
+*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] .
-{{Place|Buckinghamshire}}
+{{Place|Buckinghamshire|Probate}}
+{{England Probate Records}}
-[[Category:Buckinghamshire|Probate Records]] [[Category:Probate_records_in_England]]
+[[Category:Buckinghamshire Probate Records]]