Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset

England Dorset Probate Records or Devonshire Probate Records

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

Getting Started: Step by Step
1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will, writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry.

2. Proceed to the "Probate Records Held in This Archive" (below) to determine what original probate records exist for this court. Also see "Probate Records of This Court in The Family History Library".

3. Contact or visit the Dorset History Centre or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon request a list of record searchers.

4. Visit The Family History Library, or, one of its 4,500 satellite family history centers worldwide and search indexes to probate records; then with the information obtained from the index[es] you can search more quickly the original wills and admons also on microfilm via any centers near you.

Indexes
Church of England. Archdeaconry of Dorset. Probate records indexes 1568-1857

A calendar of wills and administrations relating to the county of Dorset in the Archdeaconry court of Dorset, 1568-1792

Archives
Dorset History Centre Bridport Road Dorchester Dorset DT1 1RP United Kingdom

General Enquiries Name: Dorset History Centre Email: archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk Tel: 01305 250550 Fax: 01305 257184

Family History Library
Church of England. Archdeaconry of Dorset. Probate records 1568-1857

Act book, 1733-1738, 1779-1791 Act books 1733-1738, 1779-1791 and Bonds of guardians, 1688-1802

Court papers, 1620-1650 and precedent books in the 16th-17th century 1620-1650

Seal book, 1817-1820

Jurisdiction
All the county except Peculiars