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For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]]. | For an explanation of probate records in England, click [[England Probate Records|here]]. | ||
== Kent Probate | == Introduction == | ||
In order to find a probate record for your ancestor in Kent, you must answer two questions: | |||
#When did your ancestor die? | |||
#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. | |||
*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 or owned property, as that will determine which court(s) had jurisdiction. If you know where your ancestor lived or owned property, you should go to the '''Probate Court Jurisdictions''' section below to determine what court(s) would have had jurisdiction over your ancestor's place of residence and/or property ownership. | |||
*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 determine the court(s), look for indexes. Indexes will be found on the individual court pages or in the '''Probate Indexes''' section below.<br><br> | |||
== 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 how to find the probate of your ancestor in the court's records. | 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 how to find the probate of your ancestor in the court's records. | ||
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*[[Court of the Bishop of London|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of London]] | *[[Court of the Bishop of London|Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of London]] | ||
<br>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, people who emigrated but still owned property in England, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court. | <br>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, people who emigrated but still owned property in England, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court. <br><br> | ||
=== Appeals Courts === | === Appeals Courts === | ||
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*[[High Court of Delegates]] | *[[High Court of Delegates]] | ||
== Some Explanatory Notes on the Courts in Kent | <br> | ||
== 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 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. 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> | 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. 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><br> | ||
== | == Probate Court Jurisdictions == | ||
Before 1858, every town and parish in Kent was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. To find the will of your ancestor who lived or owned property in Kent, see a list of Kent parishes with the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over each. Click on the letter for a parish of interest. <br> | Before 1858, every town and parish in Kent was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. To find the will of your ancestor who lived or owned property in Kent, see a list of Kent parishes with the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over each. Click on the letter for a parish of interest. <br><br> | ||
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<br>Search the courts in the order given. Search indexes first. For indexes covering more than one court, see below. 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 each court. Lastly, search the index to the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]. | <br>Search the courts in the order given. Search indexes first. For indexes covering more than one court, see below. 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 each court if necessary. Lastly, search the index to the [[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury|Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]. | ||
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=== Printed Indexes === | === Printed Indexes === | ||
For printed indexes that are available through the Family History Library, click on the name of a court above. <br> | For printed indexes that are available through the Family History Library, click on the name of a court above. <br><br> | ||
== Post-1857 Probate Records == | == Post-1857 Probate Records == | ||