London Probate Records

For an explanation of probate records in England, click here.

London Probate Courts

 * Court of Husting
 * Archdeaconry Court of London
 * The Court of Arches of the Archbishop of Canterbury
 * Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)
 * Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)
 * Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster (Abbey)
 * Deanery of the Arches of London, Croydon, Shoreham (Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury)
 * Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)
 * Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral
 * Royal Peculiar Court of St Katherine's by the Tower
 * Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Historical Background
Probate records of the City of London commence from as early as 1374 up to 1857. There are several probate court jurisdictions for the City of London, some of which hold extensive probate record coverage for the city and there are a few smaller court jurisdictions which only pertain to a small handful of parishes.

If you know in which parish your ancestor may have died or lived, go to the "London Parishes and Their Probate Jurisdictions" section (below) and search by parish name in order to determine the correct or most likely probate court to search, first.

Next, see the above links to each London probate court jurisdictions in order to obtain further information for researching in the prime probate court for a will.

If a search in the most likely probate court jurisidiction proves unsuccessful, then search the next court as listed in ranked order, i.e. "no. 2", and etc.

Starting Your Search in Indexes
1. First search each index which you will find listed under the name of the particular probate court jurisdiction (see the "London Probate Courts" listed above) to help you more quickly find the will, writing down all details cited in the indexed entry.

2. Once you have found the name of an ancestor and the probate jurisdiction in which a will or administration (admon) was probated, next proceed to the "Probate Records of This Court" (appears below this section) to determine what original probate records exist for this court and years appertaining.

3. You can also contact or visit the particualr London archives where the original records are held, or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send upon written request a list of record searchers.

4. 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 more quickly locate the original wills and admons which are on microfilm, via any family history centers near you.

London Parishes and Their Court Jurisdictions
Here is a list of London parishes (see the Table below) from A to Z and the pre-1858 courts that had probate jurisdiction over them (click on the letter links).

Before 1858, every parish was under the probate jurisdiction of a primary court and several secondary courts. For an alphabetical list of London City parishes and the courts that had jurisdiction over them, click on the link for the letter that a parish name begins with: [Note: This section is currently 'Under Construction"]


 * - | Barnard's Inn | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Christ Church, Newgate Street with St Leonard, Foster Lane | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Endell Street (Holborn) | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Furnival's Inn | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Glasshouse Yard | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |}


 * - ! style="background: #ffdead" width="15%" | PARISH ! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | PRIMARY COURT ! style="background: #ffdead" width="40%" | SECONDARY COURTS - IN SEARCH ORDER |- | Holborn [Holy Trinity] | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Holborn [St Andrew] | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Saffron Hill [St Peter], Holborn | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Holy Trinity Minories | Archdeaconry Court of London|Archdeaconry Court of London]] | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Holy Trinity the Less | Archdeaconry Court of London|Archdeaconry Court of London]] | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Lambe's Chapel | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Norton Folgate | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |} |- | Saffron Hill [St Peter] | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Serjeants' Inn | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Southall Green [St John] | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches | 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |- | St Alban Wood Street with St Olave Silver Street | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Alphage London Wall | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Andrew by the Wardrobe with St Ann Blackfriars | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Andrew Undershaft with St Mary Axe | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Ann and St Agnes with St John Zachary | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of the Royal Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster


 * Archdeaconry Court of London 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of the Royal Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster

2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Anne Soho | Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Antholin with St John the Baptist upon Wallbrook | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division); Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Augustine with St Faith | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral; Archdeaconry Court of London


 * Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Archdeaconry Court of London

2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Bartholomew Moor Lane | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Bartholomew the Great | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Bartholomew the Less | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Benet Gracechurch with St Leonard Eastcheap | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division); Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches


 * Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches

2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Benet Paul's Wharf with St Peter Paul's Wharf | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Botolph Aldersgate | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Botolph without Bishopsgate | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Bride | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Clement Eastcheap with St Martin Orgar | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Dionis Backchurch | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Dunstan in the East | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Dunstan in the West | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Edmund the King with St Nicholas Acons | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Ethelburga | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St George Botolph-Lane with St Botolph Billingsgate | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St George in the East Christ Church | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St George in the East St Mary | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Giles without Cripplegate | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Helen Bishopsgate | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St James' Duke's Place | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St James Garlickhithe | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St John’s Wood All Saints | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Katherine by the Tower | Peculiar of St Katherine's by Tower | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) |- | St Katherine Coleman | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Katherine Cree | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Lawrence Jewry with St Mary Magdalene Milk Street | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Magnus the Martyr with St Margaret New Fish Street and St Michael Crooked Lane | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Deanery of the Arches of London, Croydon, Shoreham (Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches

2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Margaret Lothbury with St Christopher le Stocks and St Bartholomew by the Exchange | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Margaret Pattens with St Gabriel Fenchurch | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Martin Ludgate | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Martin Outwich | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Abchurch with St Lawrence Pountney | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Aldermanbury | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Aldermary with St Thomas the Apostle | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches; Archdeaconry Court of London


 * Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Archdeaconry Court of London

2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary at Hill with St Andrew Hubbard | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary le Bow and St Pancras Soper Lane with All Hallows Honey Lane | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)

2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street with St Gregory by St Paul | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral


 * Archdeaconry Court of London 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral

2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Somerset with St Mary Mounthaw | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mary Woolnoth with St Mary Woolchurch Haw | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Matthew Friday Street with St Peter Cheap | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Michael Bassishaw | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Michael Cornhill | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Michael Queenhithe with Holy Trinity the Less | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Michael Royal with St Martin Vintry | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)

2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Michael Wood Street with St Mary Staining | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mildred Bread Street with St Margaret Moses | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Mildred Poultry with St Mary Colechurch | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Archdeaconry Court of London


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Nicholas Cole Abbey with St Nicholas Olave | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Olave Hart Street | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Olave Old Jewry with St Martin Pomeroy | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Peter ad Vincula (within the Tower of London) | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)


 * - | St Peter Cornhill | Archdeaconry Court of London | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury]]


 * - | St Peter le Poer with St Benet Fink | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Sepulchre | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Stephen Coleman Street | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Stephen Walbrook with St Benet Sherehog | Archdeaconry Court of London; Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division)


 * 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Swithun London Stone with St Mary Bothaw | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches


 * Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches

2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Thomas in the Liberty of the Rolls | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | St Vedast Foster Lane with St Michael-le-Querne | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches; Archdeaconry Court of London


 * Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Archdeaconry Court of London

2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Stamford Hill St Thomas | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Stanmore, Great | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Stanmore, Little | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Staple Inn | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Temple, The | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Thavie's Inn | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Tothill Fields | Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Tower of London | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Tower Without, Old | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Turnham Green | Court of the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Wealdstone | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches | 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |- | Wembley | Court of the Peculiar of the Deaneries of the Arches | 2 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury |- | Whetstone | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Whitefriars | Search the courts of the surrounding parishes | . |- | Wilton Place | Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Winchmore Hill | Court of Commissary of the Bishop of London (London Division) | 2 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory) 3 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Wood Green | Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * - | Yiewsley | Court of the Archdeaconry of Middlesex | 2 - Court of the Commissary of the Bishop of London (Essex & Hertfordshire Division) 3 - Court of the Bishop of London (Episcopal Consistory)

4 - Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury


 * }

Post-1857 Probate Records
Beginning in 1858, the government took over the settlement of estates and all wills are now probated through the Principal Probate Registry system. The system consists of 11 district registry offices and 18 sub-district registries, located throughout England and Wales, and the principal registry office located in London. The records are available through the office of Her Majesty's Courts Service. To learn more, go to the HMCS website.

A country-wide surname index to the records is available, so it is much easier to look for post-1857 wills. The indexes for 1858-1957 and the records for the Principal Registry and the District Registries for 1858-1925 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.