Court of the Peculiar of Snaith

A general explanation of probate records in England, is given in the article England Probate Records. Click to read a definition of the word peculiar.

Description
Probate is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term probate refers to a collection of documents, including wills, administrations (also called admons), inventories, and act books. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858.

Step By Step
1. Search indexes to help you more quickly find the will, writing down each detail given in the index.

2. Go to "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court.

3. Obtain the records to search. Use one of these methods to find indexes and records.


 * Contact or visit the Archive (see below) or hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf.
 * Microfilms can no longer be ordered.

Online Indexes
Indexes for 54 peculiar courts, 1383-1883, are available online on BritishOrigins. This is a subscription site.

Printed and Published Indexes
The FamilySearch Library has a film copy of calendars, 1568-1858, on film number. The first item covers 1568-1719; the second covers 1715-1858.

Archive Location
The records for this court are held in the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research.

Archive Records
Add information about the manuscript, printed and digital records in this location.

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:


 * Original wills and inventories 1568-1858, on film numbers . Film 99890 is in rough chronological order. A will for 1604 is located here. Film 99892 contains an inventory dated 1616 for Elizabeth Sykes of Cowicke among the bonds on film 100072 that is not listed in the calendar.
 * Register copy wills, 1612-1694, on film number.
 * Original probate and admon bonds, 1587-1694, on film number . There are many tuition bonds. Most of the bonds on this film date from 1587-1605.
 * Bonds, 1580-1699, on film number.
 * Bonds, box A, 1581-1683, on film number . It is a mix of probate, admon, tuition bonds. An inventory for 1616 is located here.
 * Bonds, 1590-1668, on film number . The majority are for the 1660s.
 * Act books, 1596-1858, on film number . Volume 3 covers 1596-1628; volume 4 is 1715-1749; and volume 5 is 1755-1858.

Jurisdiction
Balne, Cowick, Gowdall, Heck, Hensall, Pollington, all in the parish of Snaith; Whitgift with Ousefleet and Reedness, Airmyn, Carlton, Goole, Hook, Rawcliff and Swinefleet. It was not inhibited by the Dean and Chapter of York.