Herefordshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Herefordshire|Herefordshire]] [[Gloucestershire Probate Records]]''
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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 or her heirs. Probate records include [[W genealogical glossary terms|wills]] and [[A genealogical glossary terms|administrations]]. This article is about probate records in Herefordshire. For a general description of England probate records, click [[England Probate Records|here]].  
''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 Herefordshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.  


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


=== Before 1858 ===
==== 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 & 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
 
=== Before 1858 ===


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


==== Step 1. Search Indexes ====
==== Step 1. Search Indexes ====


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


== Indexes to Probate Records  ==
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/ProbateRecords/index.html Abstracts of Herefordshire Probate Records] and [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/ProbateRecords/about.html Herefordshire Wills Collections]. These pages provide details of compilations of Herefordshire Probate Records (wills), either partial abstracts or indexes, online and in printed collections.  
 
*[https://ldhs.org.uk/archives/ Longtown Historical Society's Archive project] includes probate records for several parishes in southwest Herefordshire that formed part of the Archdeacon of Brecon
In addition to the probate indexes listed below, indexes are also found with the records of the courts.&nbsp; Click on the court links above.<br>
*[https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12122 Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]
 
=== Probate Indexes Online  ===
 
Before looking for a will, you should search an index. [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/ProbateRecords/index.html]<br>
 
*Abstracts of Herefordshire Probate Records Herefordshire Wills Collections. This page provides details of compilations of Herefordshire Probate Records (Wills), either partial abstracts or indexes, online and in printed collections. [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/ProbateRecords/about.html]  
*Probate Records for Ledbury are available at this website [http://www.englandspastforeveryone.org.uk/Counties/Herefordshire/Projects/LedburyPre1558/Items/Ledbury_Wills_and_Inventories]


Did you find a reference to a probate record?  
Did you find a reference to a probate record?  
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*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.
*If ''no'', go to '''Step 2''' below.


==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ====
==== Step 2. Identify when and where your ancestor died ====


Determine ''when'' your ancestor died. If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.  
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&nbsp;a gazetteer. Here is a link to the 1872 ''Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales'' online:  
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:  


*[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/index.jsp Vision of Britain]
*[https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/ Vision of Britain]


The gazetteer will either tell you:  
The gazetteer will either tell you:  
Line 51: Line 56:
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.  
Once you have identified the parish, go to '''Step 3'''.  


==== Step 3. Identify court jurisdictions by parish ====
==== 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 Sussex 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.


For a list of Herefordshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:  
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 Sussex fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. For a list of Herefordshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:  


{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="372" border="1"
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="372" border="1"
|-
|-
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes A|A]]&nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes A|A]]
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes B|B]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes B|B]]  
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes C-E|C-E]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes C-E|C-E]]  
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes F-I|F-I]]&nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes F-I|F-I]]
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes K-L|K-L]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes K-L|K-L]]  
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes M-P|M-P]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes M-P|M-P]]  
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes R-T|R-T]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes R-T|R-T]]  
| &nbsp;[[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes U-Z|U-Z]] &nbsp;
| [[Herefordshire Probate Jurisdictions, Parishes U-Z|U-Z]]
|}
|}


If you do not know the parish in which your ancestor died or held property, search the [[Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)]] first.  
If you do not know the parish in which your ancestor died or held property, search the [[Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)]] first.


== Herefordshire Probate Courts  ==
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record ====


Before 1858, every town and parish in Herefordshire was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary ecclesiastical court and one or more secondary ecclesiastical courts. Most of Herefordshire was under the jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)]]. 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.  
Once you have found an index reference to a probate record and identified the court that probated it, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:
 
*{{FSC|496943|subject_id|disp=Herefordshire 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.
 
== Herefordshire Probate Courts ==
 
Most of Herefordshire was under the jurisdiction of the [[Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)]]. 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.  


*[[Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Dean of Hereford]]  
*[[Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Dean of Hereford]]  
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*[[Court of the Peculiar of Moreton Magna or Moreton on Lugg]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Moreton Magna or Moreton on Lugg]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Upper Bullinghope or Upper Bullingham]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Upper Bullinghope or Upper Bullingham]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Little Hereford & Ashford Carbonell]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Little Hereford & Ashford Carbonell]]  
 
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
In addition, the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]  
 
 
 
 


[[Category:Herefordshire|Probate Records]]
[[Category:Herefordshire Probate Records|Probate Records]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 14 March 2024

Herefordshire Wiki Topics
File:County_Flag_of_Herefordshire.jpg
Beginning Research
Record Types
Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire. 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 Herefordshire, follow these steps:

Step 1. Search Indexes

Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Herefordshire. 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 Sussex fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. For a list of Herefordshire parishes and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them, click on a letter link:

A B C-E F-I K-L M-P R-T U-Z

If you do not know the parish in which your ancestor died or held property, search the Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory) first.

Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record

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

Herefordshire Probate Courts

Most of Herefordshire was under the jurisdiction of the Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory). 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.