Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury

England Kent  Kent Probate Records

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 "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court. Also see "Family History Library Records."

3. Contact or visit Centre for Kentish Studies 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.

Online Indexes
The East Kent Archealogical Society has created online indexes to East Kent probate records from 1396-1858.

Printed and Published Indexes
Here is a list of printed indexes for this court which are available through the Family History Library. Click on a link to the record in the library catalog. These indexes can be accessed through interlibrary-loan at family history centers located throughout the world.

Archive Location
Centre for Kentish Studies Kent Archives Service Sessions House County Hall Maidstone ME14 1XQ Tel: 01622 694363 Fax: 01622 694379 Email: archives@kent.gov.uk Website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/archives_and_local_history.aspx

Archive Records
The records include:


 * Original and copy wills 1450-1858
 * Register copy wills 1449-1648, 1660-1858 (1471-1546 covers only the parishes of Ash, Goodnestone, nonington, WIngham and Womenswould)
 * Act books 1487-1645, 1663-1858 (indexed from 1586)
 * Administration bonds 1660-1858
 * Inventory papers 1571-1650, 1660-1842 (incomplete)
 * Inventory registers 1565-1638
 * Temporary administrations 1585-1646, 1660-1716 (indexed)
 * Guardians registers 1584-1650, 1660-1767, 1784, 1793 (indexed)
 * Guardians papers (1676-1731)
 * Caveats 1625-38, 1641-50, 1660-1858 (indexed)
 * Renunciation papers 1676-1858
 * Account papers and registers 1568-1650, 1662-1728

Family History Library Records
Probate records for the Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury,


 * Wills, account papers, inventory papers, etc.,
 * Probate records, 1550-1858 Act Books, Temporary Admons, Index of Accounts 1568-1699 Index of Act Books 1550-1582
 * Probate records for Canterbury,
 * from the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Kent

Jurisdictions
The Court of the Archdeaconry of Canterbury had primary jurisdiction over most of the eastern half of the county of Kent, basicially from the city of Maidstone eastward. Some parishes in the eastern half, including Maidstone, were under the primary jurisdiction of the Consistory Court of Canterbury. See the parish jurisdiction lists for specifics.

Jurisdiction includes 216 parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury. Register copy wills for 1471-1546 covers only Ash, Goodnestone, Nonington, Wingham &amp; Womenswould.