Court of the Bishop of Carlisle (Episcopal Consistory)

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

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 1858.

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

Online Indexes

 * Index to the Wills Proved in the Consistory Court of Carlisle 1661-1750 at Findmypast - index ($).

Printed and Published Indexes
Comprehensive indexes are available through the Cumbria Archive Services which includes the Carlisle and the Kendal offices. The indexes cover from 1617 to 1941, listing the year of probate and the residence of the deceased. This is extraordinarily helpful in distinguishing between many individuals of the same name.

Probate records for the Consistory Court, Diocese of Carlisle, 1564-1858. (*). Some indexes are on films containing wills, administrations and inventories. Available online at a FamilySearch centre or a FamilySearch affiliate library.

Archive Location
The original records are deposited at the Carlisle - Cumbria Archive Center. Cumbria Archive Service provides a research service for a fee.

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


 * Original wills, administrations, and inventories, 1558-1644, 1661-1858
 * Register copy wills, 1727-1858
 * Act books, 1661-1858

Jurisdiction
This court covered the northern part of Westmorland and all of Cumberland except the Deanery of Copeland in the southwest of the county (see the Court of the Archdeaconry of Richmond Western Deaneries - Copeland).