England and Wales, Index to Death Duty Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

 England  Wales

What is in This Collection?
The Estate Duty Office created the original index of all wills and administrations that incurred a death duty (inheritance tax) from the Probate Courts in England and Wales. Information in the index can be used to obtain a copy of the original will. Details usually include the name and address of the testator; the date of death; the name and address of the administrator; and where the will was proved or letters of administration were granted. These records are an index to IR 26, Registers of Legacy Duty, Succession Duty and Estate Duty.

The courts overseeing these cases were located in England and Wales and included the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of York, as well as Bishops Diocesan and Consistory courts, Commissary courts, Archdeaconry court, Dean and Chapter courts, and Peculiar courts. As well as England and Wales, the individuals who can be found in these records were living in Africa, Canada, Channel Islands, East Indies, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Spain, the United States of America, and West Indies.

From the National Archives' website, "The indexes to legacy duty on the estates of intestates from 1864 to 1881 have not survived. Many of the estate duty registers for the 1890s were destroyed by fire."

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in England. The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Wales.
 * England Guided Research
 * England Record Finder
 * England Research Tips and Strategies
 * Wales Guided Research
 * Wales Record Finder
 * Wales Research Tips and Strategies

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.