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. 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 [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-F, G, H, I-K, L, M-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 |