England, Durham Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1556-1858.

Probate courts deal in the legal administration of wills and estates. Probate bonds are a written guarantee that a person will faithfully perform the tasks assigned to him by a probate court.

This collection comes from the University of Durham. Before being housed by the University, the records were organized by number, although not necessarily chronologically. Up to the year 1738, the number of each bond is prefixed with the letter B. From 1739 onwards, the bonds are divided into two numerical sequences for each year. Administration bonds, relating to the estates of those that died without a will, are prefixed with the letter A. The other group, consisting primarily of will bonds, relating to executors (those assigned to carry out a will), are prefixed with the letter T for testament. Filed with the will bonds are also some tuition and curation bonds, relating to the appointment of guardians for minors.

These records are also linked to an index on the Durham University website.

To Browse This Collection
These records are sorted by reference numbers. For assistance with searching, see the section How Do I Search This Collection?.

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

Probate
 * Name of testator
 * Name of executor
 * Names of beneficiaries
 * Place of residence
 * Witness name(s)

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

Helpful Hint: The records in this collection are linked to an index on Durham University Probate Database website.
 * Fill in as much information as you know and click on Search Database.
 * The results will provide a link back to the images and/or give you the reference number to look within FamilySearch.
 * For example: (DPR/I/3/1750/A90/2) "1750" refers to the year. Note the last number in the reference (A90). This refers to a numerical order within the section rather than an actual image number.

View the Images
Once you have the reference number, you can view images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select 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?

 * Use the name of the testator, along with the date and place, to locate death records
 * Use the information given in the bond to determine wealth and status
 * Try to locate the names of family members or wards
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community

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

 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur
 * While probate records are one of the most accurate sources of genealogical evidence, they must be used with caution. For example, they may:
 * Omit the name of the eldest son who received his inheritance according to law; the names of others who had previously received their inheritance; or any deceased family members
 * Mention children from a spouse’s previous marriage
 * Mention a spouse who is not the parent of the children named
 * Give inaccurate relationships of people mentioned in the document
 * Search in nearby locations
 * Tyne, Wear, and Northumberland to the north
 * Cumbria to the west
 * North Yorkshire to the south

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Durham.
 * Durham Guided Research
 * England Record Finder
 * England 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.