Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Archdeaconry of Exeter

Devonshire Probate Records

For an explanation of probate records in England, click here.

Juridiction
This court hae primary jurisdiction over the parishes of Bishop's Nympton, Bishop's Tawton, Bishop's Teignton, Chudleigh, Crediton, Kennerleigh, Landkey, Marldon, Morchard Bishop, Paignton, Sandford, Stoke Gabriel and Swimbridge. It had secondary jurisdiction over the whole of the Diocese of Exeter.

Virtually all records were destroyed in 1942. Copies of some may have been deposited in the Estate Duty Registers.

Records
Virtually all the records of this court were destroyed in 1942. Search the Estate Duty Records.

A few individuals compiled collections and indexes before the records were destroyed. References to them are in Devonshire Probate Records.

Surviving records are in the Devon Record Office. They include administrations, accounts, abstracts from 1530 to 1858. Also, registered wills, 1257-1455.

Indexes
A few individuals compiled collections and indexes before the records were destroyed. References to them are in Devonshire Probate Records. The Family History Library has Calendars of wills and administrations relating to the counties of Devon and Cornwall from 1532 to 1799. Films can be view in a family history center.