Yorkshire Probate Jurisdictions for Parishes Beginning with W
Before 1858, every town and parish in Yorkshire fell under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. When looking for the will of an ancestor, you should search the courts in the order given. For an authoritative treatise on each Yorkshire probate court and the parishes comprising them in pre-1858, see Anthony J. Camp's publication, Wills and Their Whereabouts, also available at the Family History Library, FHL book #942 S2wa.
When looking for the will of an ancester, you should search the courts in the order given. Search indexes first. For indexes, click on the court name links above [soon to be constructed].
Here is a list of Yorkshire parishes beginning with the letter W and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them. For other parishes, click on a letter link: A, B, C-D, E-G, H-K, L-N, O-P, Q-R, S, T-U, Y.
| PARISH | PRIMARY COURT | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER |
|---|---|---|
| Waddington | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wadsley | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wadworth | Court of the Peculiar of Wadworth;
Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of South Cave |
2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wakefield [all parishes] | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wales | Court of the Peculiar of the Chancellor of York with the Prebendal Jurisdiction of Laughton en le Morthen | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of york
3 - Exhequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Walkingham Hill with Occaney | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |
| Walkington | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Durham within the Jurisdiction of Howden and Howdenshire;
Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St John, Beverley |
Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Durham within the Jurisdiction of Howden and Howdenshire
2 - Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 5 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 6 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St John, Beverley 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Walton | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Warmfield | Court of the Peculiar of the Manor of Warmfield with Heath | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Warmsworth | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Warsill | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |
| Warter | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Warthill | Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Warthill | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wath | Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Eastern Deaneries - Catterick | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wath upon Dearne | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Watton | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wauldby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wawne | Court of the Peculiar of the Chancellor of York with the Prebendal Jurisdiction of Laughton en le Morthen | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of york
3 - Exhequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Weaverthorpe | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Prerogative court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Welbury | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Well | Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Eastern Deaneries - Catterick | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Welton | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Durham within the Jurisdiction of Howden and Howdenshire | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Durham (Episcopal Consistory)
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 5 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 6 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Welwick | Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St. John, Beverly | . |
| Wensley | Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Eastern Deaneries - Catterick | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wentworth | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Weston | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Westow | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wetherby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wetwang | Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Wetwang;
Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St John, Beverley |
Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Wetwang
2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury Court of the Peculiar of the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St John, Beverley 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wharram le Street | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Prerogative court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wharram Percy | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wheldrake | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York;
Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York |
Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York 3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whenby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whiston | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitewell | Court of the Bishop of Chester (Episcopal Consistory) | Pre-1541
2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury Post-1540 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitgift | Court of the Peculiar of Snaith | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitkirk | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitley Lower | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whitwell on the Hill | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | |
| Whixley | Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Eastern Deaneries - Boroughbridge | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Whorlton | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wibsey | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wicker | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wickersley | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wigginton | Court of the Peculiar of Alne and Tollerton | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wighill | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wilberfoss | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Willerby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wilsden cum Allerton | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wilton (near Pickering) | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean of York | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wilton (near Redcar) | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Winestead | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Winksley | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wintringham | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wistow | Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Wistow | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Withernwick | Court of the Peculiar of the Prebend of Holme Archiepiscopi | 2 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York
3 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wold Newton | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Womersley | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Woodhouse | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Woodside | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Woolley | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Worsborough | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wortley (near Barnsley) | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wortley (near Leeds) | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wragby | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wressle | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wycliffe | Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Eastern Deaneries - Richmond | 2 - Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Court of the Chancery of the Archbishop of York 5 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wyke | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Wykeham | Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York | 2 - Chancery Court of the Archbishop of York
3 - Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of York 4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |