England, Durham Diocese, Allertonshire Peculiar Stray Probate Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection includes records from 1732-1768. Probate courts deal in the legal administration of wills and estates. Probate bonds are a written guarantee that persons will faithfully perform the tasks assigned to them 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.

This collection includes stray probate bonds and a few associated documents relating to testators chiefly from the bishop of Durham's ecclesiastical peculiar of Allertonshire in Yorkshire, 1732-1736. These records cover the parishes and chapelries of Birkby, Cowesby, Hutton Bonville, Leake, Nether Silton, North Otterington, Osmotherley and Thornton-le-Street. There are also six items relating to Crayke.

Durham is in the northeast section of England and is bordered by Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. The name "Durham" comes from the Old English "dun," meaning hill, and the Old Norse "holme," which translates to island.

These records are linked to an index on Durham University's website.

Record Content


Probate bonds normally include:


 * Surname and Given Name of the Participant
 * Age of Participant
 * Gender of Participant
 * Current Residence and Previous Residences
 * Current Occupation

How to Use the Record
As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

Search the Collection
To search by index: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To search by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "Durham University Library Reference Number and Year" category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit.
 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Check the index on Durham University's website:
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military unties, counties, parishes, etc.).

Related Websites

 * Durham Birth Records
 * U.K. Parish Registers
 * Durham University, Probate Records
 * Wills in Durham County Record Office

Related Wiki Articles

 * Durham Probate Records
 * England Probate Records
 * Durham
 * England, Durham Probate Records: Dean and Chapter of Durham's Allerton and Allertonshire, Original Wills, Inventories and Bonds (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Citations for This Collection
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