Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Western Deaneries - Kendal
A general explanation of probate records in England, is given in the article England Probate Records.
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 FamilySearch Library or, one of its 4,500 satellite FamilySearch 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
Online Indexes
Printed and Published Indexes
The FamilySearch Library has probate calendars, 1536-1720.
Records
Archive Location
The original records are located at the Westmorland Archive Centre at Kendal, which offers a research service if you are unable to visit the centre.
- Cumbria Archive Centre, Kendal
Kendal County Offices
Kendal
LA9 4RQ
Tel:01539 713540 or 713539
Fax:01539 773538
Email: kendal.archives@cumbriacc.gov.uk
Archive Records
- Original wills, administrations and inventories 1457-1858
- Register copy wills 1697-1731, 1810-1811
- Act books 1712-1858
FamilySearch Library Records
The FamilySearch Library has the following on film. Films can be viewed in afamily 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
This court had jurisdiction over roughly the Southern half of the old (pre-1974) county of Westmorland. The earliest original will was proven in 1476. Registered copies wills are sparse.