Great Orphan's Books, Mayor of Bristol

England Gloucestershire  Gloucestershire Probate Records ,Herefordshire Probate Records

For a general explanation about England probate records, click here.

Step By Step

 * Look in the index to the Court of the Peculiar of Withington by clicking on the link above.
 * If you find reference to a will of interest to you, obtain a copy either by writing to England or by viewing it on microfilm at the Family History Library or through a family history center.
 * If no reference of interest is found, search the records of the Court of the Bishop of Gloucester. If you are looking for a will after 1776, you should also check the Bishop's court.

Indexes
Here are Gloucestershire wills available online:


 * A calendar of wills proved in the consistory court of the Bishop of Bristol, 1572-1792
 * A calendar of wills in the great orphan books, 1379-1674
 * Goucestershire Wills Index online
 * Bristol City Wills Indices 1781-1858

Archive Locations
Bristol Record Office 'B' Bond Warehouse Smeaton Road Bristol BS1 6XN

Tel: 0117 922 4224

Fax: 0117 922 4236

Email: bro@bristol.gov.uk

The records for this court are housed in the Bristol City Record Office.

Archive Records
Registered Wills 1379-1674

Probate or Copy Wills 1261-1828

Family History Library Records
Registered Wills 1379-1674

Notes or abstracts of the wills

Recognizance of orphans, 1333-1700

Juridiction
By Royal Letters Patent 12th Jan 1331, Edward III granted to the Mayor of Bristol power to take recognisance for the proper security of orphans estates.