For an explanation of probate records in England, click here.
Return to the Dorset County page.
Dorset Probate Courts
Some Explanatory Notes on the Dorset Probate Courts
Court Jurisdictions
Before 1858, every town and parish in Dorset fell under the jurisdiction of a primary probate court and several secondary courts. When looking for the probate of the estate of an ancestor, you should search the primary court first then move on to the secondary courts in the order given. Search indexes first. Indexes are found by clicking on the court name above.
Below is a list of the Dorset parishes beginning with letters A and B and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them. To see other parishes, click on the letter that begins the parish name.
B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| PARISH | PRIMARY COURT | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER |
|---|---|---|
| Abbotsbury | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Affpuddle | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alderholt | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Allington | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Almer | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alton Pancras | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of Salisbury | 2 - Prerogatve Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Arne | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashmore | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Askerswell | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Athelhampton | Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Bristol (Episcopal Consistory) Dorset Division
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|
Post-1857 Probate Records
Beginning in 1858, the government took over the settlement of estates and all wills are now probated through the Principal Probate Registry system. The system consists of 11 district registry offices and 18 sub-district registries, located throughout England and Wales, and the principal registry office located in London. The records are available through the office of Her Majesty's Courts Service. To learn more, go to the HMCS website.
A country-wide surname index to the records is available, so it is much easier to look for post-1857 wills. The indexes for 1858-1957 and the records for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.