Probate Records

Nottinghamshire Archives holds probate records from the 16th century until the mid-20th century. The term probate means 'approval by a competent court'. This means that the will and testament of a deceased person are lawful and that the will has been proved. The executors are then able to carry out the terms of the will.

• Before 1858 the granting of probate was performed by ecclesiastical or church courts.
• In Nottinghamshire the usual court was the Nottingham Archdeaconry Court. Many people who had lived in Nottinghamshire would have their wills proved in this court.
• The wills of this court are divided into four deaneries, based at Nottingham, Bingham, Newark and Retford.
• In Nottinghamshire there were a number of small courts which were independent of the Archdeaconry Court. They were called peculiars, and were able to prove the wills of people who had lived in parishes under their jurisdiction. The largest was the Peculiar Court of Southwell.
• Wealthier people, and those who had land in more than one archdeaconry or diocese, could have their wills proved at the Prerogative Court of York, which was more prestigious than the local Archdeaconry Court.
• A few wills of the very wealthy were proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, which was the most prestigious court.
• After 1858 the granting of probate became a civil matter.

Main groups of documents

Main groups of documents include:

Wills

Coverage: 1589 - 1858
A will is a legal document, usually combined with a testament, which directed the disposal of a deceased person's property. They can include details of land, money or possessions to be bequeathed to family, individuals or charities.

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Probate bonds

Coverage: 1580 - 1858
When a will was made, the executor had to sign a bond guaranteeing that they would faithfully carry out the wishes of the deceased, and produce an inventory of goods.

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Letters of Administration (Admons)

Coverage: 1589 - 1858
If a person died without a will ('intestate') or the executors could not be traced, the next of kin could then apply to the court for letters of administration which granted them the right to provide a truthful inventory of the estate and to divide it faithfully. A bond was signed to ensure this and in practice this is the only surviving document.

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Inventories

Coverage: c 1688 - c 1750
List of all the moveable possessions of the deceased, but not land or buildings, compiled by two reputable neighbours. It could include household furniture, farm stock or crops. An estimated value is also usually given.

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Act Books

Coverage: 1705 - 1858
Volumes listing all wills and admons dealt with by a probate court.

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Nottingham Probate Registry Office Copy Wills

Coverage: 1858 - 1939
Volumes containing register copies of wills proved in the Nottingham Probate Registry. These can be accessed by first consulting the National Probate Index

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Nottingham Probate Registry Grants of Administration

Coverage: 1880 - 1923
Volumes containing register copies of letters of administration. The detail given is often little more than that provided in the National Probate Index.

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National Probate Index

Coverage: 1858 - 1968
A national index containing summary information about every will or admon proved in England and Wales, including details of the date and place of probate. It is arranged by year, and then alphabetically by surname. Copies of wills proved in the Nottingham Probate Registry between 1858 and 1939 can be consulted at Nottinghamshire Archives. Other wills can be obtained from the York Probate Sub-Registry.

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How to find the document you want

If the will was proved before 1858:

• There is a card index of all wills and letters of administration proved by the Nottingham Archdeaconry Court available in the archives search room.
• Archdeaconry Court wills are available on microfiche.
  
• There is a card index of all wills and letters of administration proved by peculiar courts. This index also contains entries relating to wills held in deposited collections.
• Peculiar wills must be ordered from the archive strong rooms, as they are not available on microfiche.
  
• There is a card index of all wills proved at the Prerogative Court of York. These give references to Probate Act Books which contain details of the will's contents.
• The Probate Act Books can be ordered from the archive strong rooms. The original wills are held at the Borthwick Institute in York.

If the will was proved after 1858

• The National Probate Index is available on microfiche between 1858 and 1947, and in volumes on open access in the search room from 1948 to 1968. The index will say where and when the will was proved.
• If the will was proved at Nottingham between 1858 and 1939, a copy of the will can be ordered from the archive strong rooms. A catalogue lists details.
• If the will was proved at Nottingham after 1939, or anywhere else in the country, a copy can be obtained from the York Probate Sub-Registry.

Download our leaflet on Probate Records [PDF 137KB]

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