Court of the Bishop (Consistory) of the Commissary of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Western Deaneries - Kendal

A general explanation of probate records in England, is given in the article England Probate Records.

Step By Step
1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will or administration (admon), writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry. 2. Proceed to "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court. 3. Contact or visit the Record Office 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 FamilySearch Library or, one of its 4,500 satellite FamilySearch 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.

Printed and Published Indexes
The FamilySearch Library has probate calendars,.

Archive Location
The original records are located at the Westmorland Archive Centre at Kendal, which offers a research service if you are unable to visit the centre.


 * Cumbria Archive Centre, Kendal Kendal County Offices Kendal LA9 4RQ Tel:01539 713540 or 713539 Fax:01539 773538 Email: [mailto:kendal.archives@cumbriacc.gov.uk kendal.archives@cumbriacc.gov.uk]

Archive Records

 * Original wills, administrations and inventories 1457-1858
 * Register copy wills 1697-1731, 1810-1811
 * Act books 1712-1858

FamilySearch Library Records
The indexes and original records have been digitized and are available online at a FamilySearch centre or a FamilySearch affiliate library near you:


 * , 1536-1858. There are some gaps in the span of years. Inventories rarely appear with the administration bonds after 1750.
 * , 1697-1731.
 * ,1712-1857. Before 1733, they are written in Latin.

Jurisdiction
This court had jurisdiction over roughly the Southern half of the old (pre-1974) county of Westmorland. The earliest original will was proven in 1476. Registered copies wills are sparse.