Sussex (SSX)

Jurisdictions

1. Sussex was split roughly in half with the eastern half belonging to (A) the Archdeaconry of Lewes, and the western half to (B) the Archdeaconry of Chichester. See the map in The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers for an accurate portrayal of the division between the 2 archdeaconries.
2. The exceptions involved 2 peculiar jurisdictions within the boundaries of Lewes, and two within the boundaries of Chichester. It is wise in both cases to search both the peculiars and the archdeaconries within which they lay. The 2 within the boundaries of the Archdeaconry of Lewes were (C) the Exempt Deanery of South Malling and (D) that of Battle. The 2 within the boundaries of the Archdeaconry of Chichester were (E) The Exempt Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring, and (F) the Peculiar of the Dean of Chichester.

Decision Table

For those who lived in (A) the Archdeaconry of Lewes, search:

1. Archdeaconry Court of Lewes
2. Archdeaconry Court of Chichester
3. Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
4. Court of Arches, 1660- (see London: Arches)
5. Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (B) the Archdeaconry of Chichester, search:

1. Archdeaconry Court of Chichester
2. Deanery Court of Pagham and Tarring
3. Do 3-5 as in (A) above.

For those who lived in (C-D) the Deaneries of South Malling and Battle, search:

1. The appropriate deanery court.
2. Do all of the steps under (A) above.

For those who lived in (E) the Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring, search:

1. Deanery Court of Pagham and Tarring
2. Do 3-4 as in (A) above.

For those who lived in (F) the Peculiar of the Dean of Chichester, search:

1. Peculiar Court of the Dean of Chichester
2. Do all of the steps under (B) above.

For those who lived anywhere in the county, 1653-1660, search:

1. Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)

For those who lived anywhere in the county, 1812-1857, regardless of what is found in the probate records of any of the above courts, should consider searching also the estate duty registers. (see London: Estate Duty)

Note: for further details of the probate records of each court, see M.J. Burchall's A Guide to Sussex Probate Records, 1981 (FHL 942.25 H25s, no. 7)

Pre-1560 Index to Sussex Wills

(Andrew Millard's online genealogy site for recent probate indexes is an important way to keep updated. He is responsible for this valuable contribution for Sussex.) A printed index to all testators before 1560 was published by the Sussex Record Society, 1935-1940. (FHL 942.25 B4s, volumes 41-45). It is available online at Sussex Records Society. Each volume is by place with an index at the botom of the page that leads to the details of the testators listed in that volume.

Printed Index/Microfilmed Calendar for the Exempt Deanery of Battle

1. 1541-1652, (FHL 942 B4b) and (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 24
   This is volume 24 of the Index Library series (BRS). It indexes volumes A1-A28 of the Registered Copy Wills, volumes C4 and C11 known as the Chichester Books starting in 1518, the unregistered wills in U1-U2 through 1659, and the Act Books in volumes B1-B7. There is a separate section on pages 243-417 for administrations, caveats, guardianships, and renunciations as found in the act books. There is also one page (447) showing the marriage allegations. See the Miscellaneous Section for abstracts from volume A1a of the Registered Copy Wills.
2. 1660-1857, Index to Registered Wills, (FHL 1364172, item 9 & another filming on 1885591, item 2)
   This index covers volumes 29-85 of the Registered Copy Wills. Consult the Act Books to quickly find Original Wills and Administrations. Volumes 8-22 of the Act Books are separately indexed from 1670-1843 on FHL films 97307-97311 (films 97308-97309 for 1685-1757 are at BYU).
3. 1858-1896, Index to Wills, (FHL/BYU film 97228, items 3-5)
   This is an index to the new system of wills introduced in 1858 by the civil government for their District Probate Registry at Lewes.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes

All of the probate records for the Archdeaconry of Lewes, with the possible exception of the caveats and renunciations, have been microfilmed. The initial film number for this collection is 1885593.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Printed Indexes/Microfilmed Calendars for the Exempt Deanery of South Malling

1. 1560-1567, Wills, (FHL 942 B4b) and (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 64
   This is volume 64 of the Index Library series (BRS). The index for South Malling is on pages 189-213 mixed with the entries for the Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring. See the Miscellaneous Section for further indexes including 216 visitation wills for South Malling.
2. 1588-1646, Index to Original Wills, (FHL 942 B4b) and (BYU CS 434 .B7) vol. 24
   This is the same volume as described above for the Archdeaconry of Lewes. The entries for the Deanery of South Malling are on pages 425-440.
3. 1588-1660, 1682-1858, All Documents, (FHL/BYU film 97293)

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Exempt Deanery of South Malling

All of the Original and Registered Copy Wills, 1558-1858, have been microfilmed. The initial film number for this collection is 97293. The administration bonds and inventories may be on FHL film 1067016.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Printed Index/Microfilmed Calendar for the Exempt Deanery of Battle

1. 1531-1617, Registered Wills/Administrations, (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 24
   This is the same volume as described above for the Archdeaconry of Lewes. The entries for the Deanery of Battle are on pages 441-446.
2. 1657-1857, Wills/Administrations, (FHL film 1067017, item 3)

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Exempt Deanery of Battle

It appears that all of the probate records have been microfilmed and will be found on FHL film 1067017, items 1-2; and FHL/BYU films 97302-97303.

Printed Indexes/Microfilmed Calendars for the 
Archdeaconry Court of Chichester

1. 1482-1800, Wills, (FHL 942 B4b) and (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 49
   This is volume 49 of the Index Library series (BRS). It covers volumes 1-45 of the Registered Copy Wills and some Original Wills, mainly for 1550-1590, 1606, 1611-1617, 1621-1625, and 1640-1643. Since it was published in 1915 and does not include all the wills, the following index listed as number 3 below should always be searched as well.
2. 1555-1800, Administrations, (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU on fiche only under CS 43 .G46x LH 12318) volume 64
   This is volume 64 of the Index Library series (BRS). The information was taken from the court diaries or act books, but the compiler did not have access to all of them when this volume was published in 1940. Search the following card index.
3. 1483-1858, Wills/Administrations/Accounts, (FHL films 1239349-1239351)
   This card index was designed to supplement BRS volumes 49 and 64. It also includes the Exempt Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring and the Peculiar of the Dean of Chichester.
   A-E is on film 1239349, F-O on 1239350, and P-Z on 1239351. The index was filmed twice, and perhaps the second filming contains some additional entries. The initial film in the FHL catalog for the second filming is 1938686.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Archdeaconry Court of Chichester

The records have been filmed on three different occasions. It appears that all of the records have been filmed with the exception of the inventories and perhaps some of the Administration Bonds. The first filming starts with film 194557 and includes the Registered Copy Wills, some Original Wills for the 17th century, the Administration Bonds for at least 1689-1759, the Act Books and Diaries, the Renunciations for 1720-1760, and the Caveat Books. The second filming covered all the Original Wills, 1534-1700, and starts with film 1068589. The third filming finishes the Original Wills, 1700-1857, and starts with film 2191030. The Probate Accounts, 1572-1710, start with film 1068643.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

In addition to the above, there are a variety of miscellaneous records that have been filmed. These films includes such things as Instance books and Probate commissions on films 1068529- 1068530; detailed calendars to the act books for 1538-1613 starting with films 2214013 and 2214014; Testamentary cases, 1606-1623, starting with film 2214012; calendars of Depositions, 1556-1694 on film 2214012; and the actual will registers for the new system of civil wills, 1858-1900, for the District Probate Registry of Chichester on films 1469533-1469542.

Printed/Microfilmed Indexes for the Exempt Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring

1. 1516-1670, Wills/Administrations, (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU on fiche only under CS 43 .G46x LH 12318) volume 64
   This is the same volume as described above for the Archdeaconry of Chichester. The Registered Copy Wills, 1516-1648, are indexed on pages 189-213, and the Administration Bonds, 1568-1670, on pages 219-229.
2. 1516-1858, Card Index, (FHL films 1239349-1239351)
   See entry 3 under the above indexes for the Archdeaconry of Chichester.
3. There are also combined indexes for the Archdeaconry of Chichester, the Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring, and the Peculiar of the Dean of Chichester for Inventories, 1521-1834, (FHL 942.25 P2m) and Probate Accounts, 1572-1711, on films 2214013-2214014.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Exempt Deaneries of Pagham and Tarring

All of the probate records for this court have been microfilmed with the possible exception of the Administration Bonds, 1690-1857. If so, the Act Books and Diaries can fill that gap. The first filming starts with film 194614 and includes the Registered Copy Wills; the Original Wills, 1649-1678; the Administration Bonds, 1579-1689; and the Act Books/Diaries. The second filming added the Original Wills, 1614-1622, on film 1469172, items 7-8; probate acts back to 1537 and the accounts, 1610-1686 on films 1068530, items 7-9 and 1068531. The caveat book, 1747-1784, item 6 of film 1469172 is shared with the Peculiar of the Dean of Chichester. The Original Wills for Pagham and Tarring, 1580-1706 are on films 1469546, items 3-6, and 1469533, items 1-3. The third filming added the Original Wills, 1706-1858, on films 2197829, 2197864, and 2197865, item 1.

Printed/Microfilmed Indexes for the Peculiar Court of the Dean of Chichester

1. 1483-1504, see the Miscellaneous Section for abstracts for this court.
2. 1553-1800, Wills/Administrations, (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU on fiche only under CS 43 .G46x LH 12318) volume 64
   This is the same volume described above for the Archdeaconry of Chichester. The Registered Copy Wills, 1553-1643 and 1660-1800, and the Administrations, 1578-1626 and 1660-1768, are on pages 230-269.
3. 1553-1858, Card Index, (FHL films 1239349-1239351)
   See entry 3 under the above indexes for the Archdeaconry of Chichester.
4. There are also combined indexes as will be seen in the above entries for Pagham and Tarring.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Peculiar Court of the Dean of Chichester

All of the probate records for the Dean's court have been microfilmed with the exceptions of the inventories and the Administration Bonds, 1745-1857. Use the act books to fill the latter gap. The first filming starts with film 194619 and includes the Registered Copy Wills; the Original Wills, 1643-1704; the Administration Bonds, 1584-1744; the Act Books, Diaries and Caveat Book. The second filming covers the Original Wills, 1561-1704, on films 1469532, items 3-6, and 1469546, items 1-2. The act books and diaries were redone on 1469172, items 4-5. There may be further entries from the act books as well as administration accounts, 1678-1685, on film 1068530, items 3-6. The third filming added the Original Wills, 1704-1857, starting on film 2197865; and the probate accounts, 1608-1701, on film 2214012, item 2.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Miscellaneous Section

1. Abstracts from the Archdeaconry Court of Lewes, (FHL 942.25 B2su) volumes 2-3
   The Sussex Family Historian edited by M.J. Burchall has abstracts as follows:
• Volume 2, pages 97-104, for wills from volume A1a of the Registered Copy Wills for 1528-1543.
• Volume 3, pages 220-224 for abstracts from act books and caveats, 1644/5-1645/6.
2. Index to South Malling Probate Records, (FHL 942.25 B2ac) volume 50
   Pages 138-146 provide an index to Registered Copy Wills and administration acts, 1560-1568. Pages 146-152 are an index to visitation wills proved mainly for 1553-1554. Another copy of these indexes is in FHL 942 A1, no. 660.
3. 1675-1675/6, Abstracts of Act Books for the Archdeaconry Court of Chichester (FHL 942.25 B2nq) volume 12
   Pages 37-39 of volume 12 of the Sussex Notes and Queries contains abstracts from this court's diary for the years specified.
4. 1483-1504, Abstracts of Probate Records for the Peculiar Court of the Dean of Chichester are in Sussex Archaeological Collections (FHL 942.25 B2ac) volume 87.
   The will abstracts for this time period are on pages 1-21. Abstracts from the probate act books, 1486-1504, and the administration acts, 1490-1502, are on pages 22-27.
5. "Abstracts of some Sussex Wills of the seventeenth century" from the PCC, (942.25 B2ac) volume 28, pages 180-196. These wills are indexed in BRS 64 on pages 215-217 for 1614-1670. This is the same volume as described above under indexes for the Archdeaconry Court of Chichester.
6. A Sussex probate inventory index has been compiled by David Woolven and is now available via email at woolven440@btinternet.com.