Court of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) of Norwich

Step by Step
Follow these steps to look for a probate record before 1858:

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 "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court. Also see "FamilySearch Library Records." 3. Contact or visit Norfolk Record Office or, hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf. Officials may send a list of record searchers upon request. 4. Visit The FamilySearch Library or one of its 4,500 satellite FamilySearch 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 centers near you.

Online Indexes
The Norfolk Record Office has an online index to all wills for all probate courts throughout the county.

A general will index (partial) for this probate court covering much of the county is available online for the years 1800-1857. More years are bring added so re-visit their website regularly.

Printed and Published Indexes
The FamilySearch Library has the following indexes and calendars. Other indexes are included on the films for the above mentioned records.



Archive Location
Norfolk Record Office The Archive Centre Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DQ Telephone: 01603 222599 Fax: 01603 761885 E-mail: norfrec@norfolk.gov.uk

Registered Wills
Early registers are named. The name is derived from the first testator in the register. This list will help you convert NROCAT references to corresponding FS Library film numbers:

FamilySearch Library Records
The FamilySearch Library has the following records on film. Films can be viewed in the library or in a family history center.


 * Episcopal Consistory Court, Archdeaconry of Norwich 1370-1858

Jurisdiction
This court covers parts of the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge.

All county parishes with the exception of Emneth, came under the jurisdiction of this court. (Emneth Parish came under the jurisdiction of the Consistory Court of Ely.)

This court also had jurisdiction over the parishes of Upwell and Outwell which were at times a part of Cambridgeshire.