Devon Probate Records: Difference between revisions

The majority of the records of Devonshire courts were destroyed during World War II when the Exeter Registry was bombed.Here are some online indexes to probate records that include individuals who lived in Devon. Search these indexes first:<br>

*[http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/DevonWillsProject/ Devon Wills Project] -- because of the records lost in the War, this project provides an online consolidated index of Devon wills, administrations and inventories, covering (and distinguishing between) original documents, probate copies, transcripts and abstracts. The project involves systematically transcribing information obtained from various "sources", i.e. indexes, calendars, catalogues, etc. The period covered is up to 1858, and wills, etc., are taken as related to Devon if the testator is identified to be or can be assumed as being of Devon, even if the will was proved elsewhere. The index covers only testators, not other named individuals, and effort to create a consolidated index which covers all individual sources is not yet complete.) &nbsp;Individual sources are linked to from the Devon Wills Project page.

*The Wiltshire online will index includes Pre-1858 for CHARDSTOCK and UFFCULME parishes, and a few wills from other parishes from the diocese of Salisbury that used to cover not only Wiltshire but also part of Berkshire, Dorset and Devon.  

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*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=6&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858)]&nbsp; This was the highest court in England which generally probated the estates of more wealthy individuals. These wills are fully indexed and copies of wills are available online for a fee.

Published indexes exist (except for the Archdeaconry Court of Totnes) as well as collections of abstract of some records. Most, if not all, of these sources are included in the online Devon Wills Project. Here is a list of published indexes available through the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHL/frameset_library.asp Family History Library]:<br><br>

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