FamilySearch Wiki

Kent Probate Records: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext
(Updated Getting Started)
(Fixed a broken link)
 
(49 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Kent]]''
{{Kent-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[England Genealogy|England]]
| link2=[[Kent, England Genealogy|Kent]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Kent_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]
}}


The following article is about probate records in the county of Kent. For general information about English probate records, click [[England Probate Records|here]]. <br>
== 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 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|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
*'''1858-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1904/ England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995] at Ancestry ($) index
*'''1858-2018''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/england-and-wales-government-probate-death-index-1858-2019 England and Wales Government Probate Death Index, 1858-2018] at Findmypast ($) index


== Description ==
=== Before 1858 ===


''Probate'' is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term ''probate'' refers to a collection of documents, including [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]], [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]] (also called admons), [[I genealogical glossary terms|inventories]], and [[A genealogical glossary terms|act books]]. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858. This article explains about probates and how to get started to search for a will.
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:


Beginning in 1858, authority over probate matters was taken from ecclesiastical courts and put under the civil authority of the Principal Probate Registry. The '''Probates After 1857'''&nbsp;section below has a link to an article about probates after 1857.  
==== Step 1. Search Indexes  ====


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


== Getting Started  ==
* [https://wills.kentarchives.org.uk/ Canterbury Probate Records, 1396-1858] at the Kent County Council


Follow these steps to look for a probate record before 1858:<br>
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.


#Discover when and where your ancestor died. If you don’t know, use the approximate date and place where they lived. <br>
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>
#Go to the Court Jurisdictions section below.<br>
#Click a letter or span of letters for your place. This opens an article showing a table of places and the courts that had jurisdiction over them.<br>
#Follow the steps at the top of the table to search for a will.<br><br>


== Court Jurisdictions by Parish  ==
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.


Before 1858, every town and parish in Kent was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts.&nbsp; To find the will of your ancestor who lived&nbsp;or owned property in&nbsp;Kent,&nbsp;see a&nbsp;list of Kent parishes&nbsp;with the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over each.&nbsp; Click on the letter for a parish of interest.&nbsp; <br><br>
*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>


{| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="511" border="0"
Did you find a reference to a probate record?
|-
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions|A]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with B|B]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with C|C]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent, England Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with D|D]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with E|E]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with F and G|F-G]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with H|H]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with I through K|I-K]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with L|L]]
| &nbsp;[[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]]
| &nbsp;[[Kent Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with S|S]]
| &nbsp;[[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]]
|}


<br>Search the courts in the order given.&nbsp; Search indexes first.&nbsp; For indexes covering more than one court, see below.&nbsp; For court-specific indexes, click on the name of a court above. <br><br>If you do not know where in Kent your ancestor lived or owned property, search the indexes to&nbsp;each court if necessary.&nbsp; Lastly, search the index to the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]].  
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.  
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


<br>
==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died  ====


== Kent Probate Courts ==
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.  


The following&nbsp;ecclesiastical courts&nbsp;had some probate jurisdiction over the county of Kent prior to 1858.&nbsp; 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.
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 the Bishop of Canterbury|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury]]
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/expertsearch Vision of Britain]
*[[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) for 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]]


In addition, the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] had jurisdiction over the whole of England and specifically in the following cases.<br>
The gazetteer will either tell you:


*Wealthy individuals<br>
*A place is a parish, or
*People who owned property in more than one county<br>
*What parish it is a part of, or
*Military and naval personnel<br>
*What place it is near.
*People who lived or owned property outside England<br>


=== Appeals Courts  ===
If the latter, look that place up in the gazetteer and see if it is a parish.


Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the&nbsp;lower courts could be sent to these higher appeals courts:
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.


*[[Court of Arches]]
==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish  ====
*[[High Court of Delegates]]


The [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]] was also an appeals court.  
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.  


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


== Probate Indexes  ==
<br>


Before searching probate records, search indexes.
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record  ====


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


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.  
*{{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.


=== Printed Indexes ===
== Kent Probate Courts ==


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


*To access an English&nbsp;county archive, go to [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/advanced-search.aspx?tab=1 Access to Archives] or to [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/#common GENUKI] and search for the archives for Kent or another county of interest.
*[[Court of the Bishop of Canterbury|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury]]
*For printed indexes that are available through the Family History Library, click on the name of a court above. <br>
*[[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]]


== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent  ==
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent  ==
Line 98: Line 114:
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 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 <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1240932743969_161" />Canterbury was the judge of the Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Canterbury.&nbsp; He exercised probate jurisdiction within the diocese of Canterbury, and he also exercised the Archbishop’s prerogative throughout the diocese.&nbsp; Therefore,&nbsp;records of probate that would have normally gone through the&nbsp;Archbishop's court, will be found in the records&nbsp;of the Court of the Bishop of Canterbury, particularly before 1759.<br><br>
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.  


<br>
'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:'''


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


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 locate a will. For more information, go to [[Estate Duty Records]].<br>
Courtesy of the Kent Archeological Society:


*[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>
<br>


== Probates After 1857  ==
[[Category:Kent 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. For more information, go to [[Principal Probate Registry]].<br>
 
[[Category:Kent]]

Latest revision as of 10:48, 14 March 2024

Kent Wiki Topics
File:Flag_of_Kent.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Kent 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 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:


Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Kent_Probate_Records&oldid=5656020"