Norfolk Probate Records
For an explanation of probate records in England, click here.
Norfolk Probate Courts
In addition, the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury had jurisdiction over the whole of England. Wealthier individuals, people who owned property in more than one county or lower court's jurisdiction, and Naval personnel often had their estates proven through the Archbishop's court.
Appeals Courts
Any probate that was disputed and could not be settled by the county courts could be sent to these higher appeals courts:
Some Explanatory Notes on the Norfolk Probate Courts
Court Jurisdictions
| PARISH | PRIMARY COURT | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER |
|---|---|---|
| Acle | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Acre, South | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Acre, West | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alburgh | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alby | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Aldborough | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Aldeby | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alderford | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Alethorpe | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |
| Anmer | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Antingham | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Arminghall | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Bishop of Norwich (Episcopal Consistory)
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashby St Mary | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashby with Oby and Thurne | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashill | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashmanhaugh | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashwellthorpe | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Ashwicken | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Aslacton | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Attleborough | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Attlebridge | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Aylmerton | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Aylsham | Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich | 2 - Court of the Consistory of Norwich
3 -Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury
|
Probate Indexes Online
Before looking for a will, you should search an index.
http://www.norfolksources.norfolk.gov.uk/
Probate 1800 – 1857
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.