Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Western Deaneries - Kendal

England Westmorland Probate Records or Cumberland Probate Records

For a general explanation about probate records in England, click here.

Step By Step

1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will or administration (admon), writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry.
2. Proceed to "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court.
3. Contact or visit the Record Office or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon request a list of record searchers.
4. Visit The Family History Library or, one of its 4,500 satellite family history centers worldwide and search indexes to probate records; then with the information obtained from the index[es] you can search more quickly the original wills and admons also on microfilm via any centers near you.

Indexes

Printed and Published Indexes

The Family History Library has probate calendars, 1536-1720.

Records

Archive Records

Add information.

Family History Library Records

The Family History Library has the following on film. Films can be viewed in a family history center.

• Original wills, admons, and inventories, 1536-1858. There are some gaps in the span of years. Inventories rarely appear with the administration bonds after 1750.
  
• Registered copy wills, 1697-1731.
  
• Act books,1712-1857. Before 1733, they are written in Latin.
  

Jurisdiction

Most of the parishes in the counties are covered by this court. The earliest original will was proven in 1476. Registered copies wills are sparse.