Court of Arches (of Canterbury)

Return to the Middlesex Probate Records page.

Step By Step
1. First search each index (see below) to help you more quickly find the will, writing down each detail cited in the indexed entry. 2. Proceed to the "Probate Records Held in This Archives" (below) to determine what original probate records exist for this court. 3. Contact or visit the Guildhall Library or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon request a list of record searchers. 4. Or, visit The Family History Library, or, one of its 4,500 satellite family history 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 family history centers near you.

Probate Indexes
The Court of the Deanery of the Arches of the Archbishop of Canterbury probate records is well-covered with the following indexes:

Printed Indexes

 * A comprehensive will and admon index to London (including Greater L.) for the years covering 1750-1858, and surnames A-F (only) is Dr David Wright's London Probate Index on CDs and are on sale. For surnames G-Z, he will provide a search service in his indexes for you.
 * Cases in the Court of Arches 1660-1913 by the Index &amp; List Society. FHL book call number 942.B4b vol. 85

Original Handwritten Indexes
There "typed script" indexes at the Society of Genealogists and at The National Archives at Kew, in Richmond Surrey for all years, 1620-1780

Manuscript indexes exist at the Lambeth Palace Library.

Microfilmed Indexes at the Family History Library

 * The manuscript indexes of the original (unregistered) wills and the registered wills are on microfilm at The Family History Library covering all years from 1620 to 1780; 1832.

These may be viewed at the Family History Library and may be circulated to any one of its satellite Family History Centers.

Lambeth Palace Library
Lambeth Palace Road

London SE1 7JU

Tel: + 44 (0)20 7898 1400 Fax: + 44 (0)20 7928 7932 E-mail: lpl.staff@c-of-e.org.uk Post: The Librarian, Lambeth Palace Library, London, SE1 7JU, UK

Website

Probate Records Held in This Archives
Original Wills 1624-1777

Registered Wills 1664-1821, 1841

Calendars (first-letter-of-surname index) 1672-1837

Bonds &amp; Warrants 1663-1781 Bonds Alpha-Arranged

Probate Records of This Court in The Family History Library
Act Books 1635-1774

Acts of Court 1714-1818

Assignation Books 1763-1875

Sentences 1560-1797

Appeals 1661-1803

Personal Answers 1661-1798

Depositions 1664-1803

Muniment Books 1554-1815

Minute book 1815-1850; 1875-1883

Black Book of the Arches

Testamentary cases 1660-1913

See also the Court of Delegates:

Original Wills 1624-1837

Muniment books 1662-1837

Index: see the above references to "indexes"; see also here--

Cases in the Court of Arches (index) 1660-1913

Historical Background
Probate records of the Court of the Deanery of the Arches (Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury) held jurisdiction over 13 parishes within the City of London. Records of this probate court date from 1620-1780, 1832.

Strategies, Tips, Other?
There are some indexes for this court. See the above general countywide indexes. To view a list of parishes and their respective probate court jurisdiction, see the "Middlesex Probate Jurisdictions by Parish" on the main page for Middlesex Probate Records.