England Probate Records

Neil D. Holden

Wills and administrations often represent a crucial resource in determining relationships between people. Finding a will for your ancestor, if one ever existed, may prove easy or difficult depending onwhat time period the will was proven. Wills proven from 1858 onwards have been indexed on a national level, and are relatively easy to find. The trick is to identify your ancestors’ year of death, and or the death of his or her spouse. Wills were usually proven within a year of the decease of the ancestor in question. However, the wills of many men were not proven until the decease of his wife, if this event happened afterwards. The vast majority of woman did not make wills until a change in English law occurred in the 1880’s.

Prior to 1858 wills were processed through the ecclesiastical court system, and determining exactly where your ancestor's will would have been proven is a complex issue. The challenge is well worth taking up, however, as wills become increasingly important as one's research moves back in time. If your ancestor did not leave a will, then it is quite possible that there was still a letter of administration requested in order to take care of his or her estate. This is often the case when a man dies relatively young.

Many indexes are now available that enable researchers to identify their ancestor’s probate records. The following represents the best links to be found online:

• Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
• Bank of England, Will Extracts Index, 1717-1845
• Archdeaconry Court of London, Wills Index, 1700-1807
• York Medieval Probate Index, 1267-1500
• York Peculiars Probate Index, 1383-1883
• London Consistory Court, Depositions Index, 1700-1713
• Inheritance Disputes Index, 1574-1714

The vast majority of wills still in existence are available on microfilm at the Family History Library. ProGenealogists is located just a few blocks away and we have access to all English probate records. If you need help identifying your ancestors will, or you require in-depth analysis to be performed by a professional researcher, ProGenealogists is there to help. Please click here for a free estimate.