England, Durham Diocese, Renunciations - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes two renunciations from 1767 and 1794 by administrators (or executors) of the rights to administer the goods of deceased person, probably strays from Durham consistory court papers for particular probate causes.

The purpose of renunciations is to allow anyone that has been appointed as the executor of someone's will that doesn't want to be so, to give up their title as "Grant of Probate."

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Renunciation records generally contain the following information:


 * Name of appointed executor
 * Date
 * Place
 * Name of new appointee
 * Name of deceased
 * Signature of executor(s)

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date of death

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Durham University Library Reference Number to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Save or print a copy of the image if possible
 * Many times, people appointed a family member(s) to be the executor(s) of their will when they passed away
 * Use the name of the deceased to search for the person in birth, marriage, and death records
 * Use the relationships to put families together in census records
 * Probate records may tell you of land ownership or occupation. This information may lead you to land or business records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variants of given names and surnames
 * Spelling may not have been standardized. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Simple clerical errors were also always possible
 * Individuals were often listed under a middle name, a nickname or an abbreviation of their given name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name, surname, or expand the date range to return broader list of possible matches
 * Search the records of nearby localities
 * Consult the England Record Finder to find other records

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

"England, Durham Diocese, Renunciations, 1767 and 1794." Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Special Collections, Palace Green Library, Durham University, Durham.
 * Collection Citation:

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