Northamptonshire Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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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 Northamptonshire. See [[England Probate Records]] for a general description of probate records in England.  
''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 Northamptonshire. 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.


==== Online Records ====
====Online Records====


*'''1858-1957''' - {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index
*'''1858-1957''' - {{RecordSearch|2451051|England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index


=== Before 1858 ===
===Before 1858===


Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Northamptonshire, follow these steps:  
Before 1858, Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process. To search for a pre-1858 probate record in Northamptonshire, 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 Northamptonshire. Search these indexes first:  
Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Northamptonshire. Search these indexes first:  


*[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/probate-and-wills Online Probate Index 1469-1857]  The Northamptonshire and Rutland Probate Index has been created from several of the earlier indexes of probate records held in the Northampton Record Office. The index contains 87,058 entries that cover the period 1469 to 1857.  
*[http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/probate-and-wills Online Probate Index 1469-1857]  The Northamptonshire and Rutland Probate Index has been created from several of the earlier indexes of probate records held in the Northampton Record Office. The index contains 87,058 entries that cover the period 1469 to 1857.
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]  
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*Index and extracts of all wills and admons of the Peculiar Court of Gretton and Duddington from Film #200,101 can be found [[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maureenbryson/gretton_and_duddington_wills.htm here.]]
*Index and extracts of all wills and admons of the Peculiar Court of Gretton and Duddington from Film #200,101 can be found [[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maureenbryson/gretton_and_duddington_wills.htm here.]]


Filmed Indexes available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City:  
Filmed Indexes available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City:  


*Church of England. Archdeaconry of Northampton. Court Probate records, 1467-1877 {{FHL|350023|title-id|disp=}}  
*Church of England. Archdeaconry of Northampton. Court Probate records, 1467-1877 {{FHL|350023|title-id|disp=}}
*{{FHL|213406|title-id|disp=A Calendar of wills}} relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland: proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652. Also online at [https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/coverage/wills-probates-and-testaments/?level=gold#includes The Genealogist.co.uk] under wills probates and testaments  
*{{FHL|213406|title-id|disp=A Calendar of wills}} relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland: proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652. Also online at the [https://archive.org/details/calendarofwillsr01phil Internet Archive] (£Free) and at [https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/coverage/wills-probates-and-testaments/?level=gold#includes The Genealogist.co.uk] under wills probates and testaments
*Administrations in the Archdeaconry of Northampton : now preserved in the District Probate Registry at Birmingham Contents: [pt. 1]. 1667-1710 -- pt. 2. 1711-1800 {{FHL|203000|title-id|disp=}}
*Administrations in the Archdeaconry of Northampton : now preserved in the District Probate Registry at Birmingham Contents: [pt. 1]. 1667-1710 -- pt. 2. 1711-1800 {{FHL|203000|title-id|disp=}}


<br>Did you find a reference to a probate record?  
<br>Did you find a reference to a probate record?  


*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.  
*If ''yes'', go to '''Step 4''' below.
*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.&nbsp;If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.&nbsp;  
Determine ''when'' your ancestor died.&nbsp;If you aren't sure, use an approximate date.&nbsp;  
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The gazetteer will either tell you:  
The gazetteer will either tell you:  


*A place is a parish, or  
*A place is a parish, or
*What parish it is a part of, or  
*What parish it is a part of, or
*What place it is near.
*What place it is near.


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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&nbsp;Northamptonshire 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.  
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&nbsp;Northamptonshire 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.  
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{| style="width: 611px; height: 25px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
{| style="width: 611px; height: 25px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes A|A]] &nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes A|A]] &nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B|B]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes B|B]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C|C]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes C|C]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes D through F|D-F]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes D through F|D-F]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes G through H|G-H]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes G through H|G-H]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes I through M|I-M]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes I through M|I-M]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N through P|N-P]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes N through P|N-P]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes Q through S|Q-S]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes Q through S|Q-S]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes T and U|T-U]]&nbsp;&nbsp;  
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes T and U|T-U]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| &nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes V through Z|V-Z]]
|&nbsp;[[Northamptonshire Probate Jurisdictions Parishes V through Z|V-Z]]
|}
|}


<br>
<br>
==== Step 4. Obtain a copy of the probate record ====
====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:  
Once you have found an index reference to a probate, obtain a copy of the record. Do so by one of these methods:  


*Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.  
*Visit or contact the record office that has the original records in its collection.
*Visit the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library] or a [[Introduction to Family History Centers|family history center]] and obtain a copy of the record on microfilm. For more information, click on a court name below. <br>
*Visit the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library] or a [[Introduction to Family History Centers|family history center]] and obtain a copy of the record on microfilm. For more information, click on a court name below. <br>


== Northamptonshire Probate Courts ==
==Northamptonshire Probate Courts==


The names of the courts with jurisdiction over Northamptonshire are:  
The names of the courts with jurisdiction over Northamptonshire are:  


*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]  
*[[Court of the Archdeaconry of Northampton]]
*[[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)  
*[[Court of the Bishop of Peterborough]] (Episcopal Consistory)
*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Banbury]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar Parish of Banbury]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Gretton]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Gretton]]
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Nassington]]  
*[[Court of the Peculiar of Nassington]]
*[[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 Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]  
*[[Court of the Bishop of Lincoln (Episcopal Consistory)]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]
*[[Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


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<br>


=== Some Explanatory Notes on the courts in Northamptonshire ===
===Some Explanatory Notes on the courts in Northamptonshire===


Since civil and ecclesiastical boundaries were not necessarily one and the same, it is important in pre-1858 probate searches to consider nearby courts including those situated across county boundaries. Also, ecclesiastical boundaries and rights were not always observed or may have been changed over the years.  
Since civil and ecclesiastical boundaries were not necessarily one and the same, it is important in pre-1858 probate searches to consider nearby courts including those situated across county boundaries. Also, ecclesiastical boundaries and rights were not always observed or may have been changed over the years.  
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