England, Durham, Dean and Chapter of Durham's Allerton and Allertonshire Original Wills, Inventories and Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of digitized probate records from the hundred of Allertonshire in Yorkshire for the years 1666-1845.

In the period of this collection, Allertonshire was a peculiar of the Diocese of Durham. A peculiar is a locality which is administered by a diocese other than the one where it is actually located; that is, it is exempted from the jurisdiction of the ordinary or bishop in whose diocese it lies and is governed by another. In this case, the parishes of Allertonshire are administered by the Diocese of Durham, rather than by the Diocese of York.

A will conveys real (immovable) property to heirs after an individual’s death.

A bond is a written guarantee that a person will faithfully perform the tasks assigned to him by a probate court. The executor posted a testamentary bond, the administrator posted an administration bond, and the guardian of a minor child posted a bond of tuition or curation.

An inventory lists belongings and their values, including such items as household goods, tools, and personal items. Occupations are often mentioned.

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 lists indicate potential information given in each type of record. It must be remembered that every record may not provide all the listed information, as record-keeping practices often varied by time and location.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * 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
 * Example 1: Reference DPRI/5/1826 indicates the records are from the year 1826
 * Example 2: Reference DPR/I/1/1826/S13/1-2 indicates the records are from the year 1826; this person is the 13th individual with records in the letter "S"
 * Example 3: Reference DPR/I/2/37 p703-709 indicates the record is on pages 703 -709. Note the page numbers refer to the number written on the actual image rather than the image number itself

View the Images
Once you have a reference number you may view images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Durham University Library Reference Number to view the images.

Some of the records in this collection may be written in an old script that can be challenging to read. Refer to BYU’s Script Tutorial for assistance with reading the records.

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?

 * Save or print a copy of the image if possible
 * If there is and age and death date, calculate an estimated birth year and search for birth records
 * Use the information to find a death record
 * Identify family relationships to search for marriage records and censuses
 * Continue to search the collection for people with the same surname to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives

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

 * Check for variants of given names and surnames
 * Spelling may not be standardized; pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Simple clerical errors were also always possible
 * Individuals were often listed under a middle name, a nickname, or an abbreviation of their given name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name, surname, or expand the date range to return a broader list of possible matches
 * Search the records of nearby parishes
 * Tyne, Wear, and Northumberland to the north
 * Cumbria to the west
 * North Yorkshire to the south
 * Keep in mind that not all individuals mentioned in wills may have been family members

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.