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Witlshire (WIL)

Searching for probate records before 1858 in Wiltshire used to be complicated as there were 3 major courts, 17 peculiar courts with jurisdiction within the county, and courts that exercised superior and peculiar jurisdictions in neighboring counties. Fortunately, this has been resolved by a master online index created by the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office. The online index alleviates the need for a jurisdictional approach for this county. Those researchers who would like to see such details will find the jurisdictions outlined on the same web site at Wiltshire Council or in the newly published BRS volumes 122-123A.

Decision Table

For those who lived anywhere in Wiltshire, search:

The online index described below.
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (London: PCC)
Court of Arches, 1660- (London: Arches)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (London: Delegates)

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

Prerogative Court of Canterbury (London: PCC)

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

Probate Indexes for Wiltshire

1540-1858, Online Index
This master index includes all types of probate documents, plus it leads currently to the images of about 25% of the actual wills. Begin by clicking on Wiltshire Council
The left column is a search screen that allows you to make searches for personal names, place names, and/or by court and time period. Type in the surname and first name and you will find any possible documents in any of the courts of Wiltshire. By clicking on the Ref No you will learn if there is an actual image of the desired will online.
1464 -1858, Printed Index (FHL 942 B4b and BYU CS 434.B7), volumes 122-123A. These volumes were edited by Cliff Webb for the BRS. The title is a little misleading as the only court with records before 1583 is that for the peculiar of Corsham described below as P29. Volume 122 contains a very useful introduction including maps and charts. Table 5 is particularly useful as it compares the number of testators with the population totals of the parishes for 1801. Volume 123A is an index by places, occupations and ships. Page 1583 is useful for emigration studies.
1800-1858, Wiltshire Wills Beneficiaries Index, (FHL CD-ROM no. 2844, part 1)
This is an every name index including witnesses from 8 volumes of peculiar court wills compiled for the Wiltshire Index Service. Volumes 5-8 are also available on FHL fiche 6200529-6200532. See the FHLC for details.
1858-1887, Modern Wills Index (FHL film 1702709, item 7)
1888-1928, Modern Wills Index (FHL film 1545202, items 1-4)

Microfilm Collection for the Probate Records of Wiltshire

(The initial references consisting of "P" followed by a number are the designations used by the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office. Almost all of the records for each court have been microfilmed except for the act books. If the desired document has not been filmed, contact the record office at the web site given above.)

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 www.familysearch.org may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

P1. Consistory Court of Sarum or Salisbury. The collection appears to be complete. The initial film number for this collection is 97428.

P2. Archdeaconry Court of Sarum or Salisbury. The collection appears to be complete. The initial film number for this collection is 97427. There are also act books, 1597-1639, for this court on film 1526568.

P3. Archdeaconry Court of Wiltshire. The collection appears to be complete. The initial film number for this collection is 97425.

P4. Court of the sub-dean of Sarum. The collection is complete. The Registered Copy Wills, 1581-1588, are on film 97672. The Original Wills, 1584, 1611-1799, are on films 97656-97671. Those for 1800-1857 are on films 189794-189798.

P5. Peculiar Court of the Dean of Sarum. The Registered Copy Wills, 1538-1802, are on films 97673-97681, and for 1802-1806 on film 1067154. The Original Wills are as follows:

1558-1582 on films 97682-97685
1583-1641 is in the 2nd filming that starts with film 994490.
1642-1706 on films 97686-97711
1707-1729 is in the 2nd filming that starts with film 994490.
1730-1772 on films 97712-97723
1773-1799 is in the 2nd filming that starts with film 994490.
1800-1857 on films 189759-189770

There are also two miscellaneous collections for this court. The first contains additional documents for 1607-1694 on film 1526568, item 19. The second consists of unproved wills, 1713-1803, on film 97724.

P6. Prebendal Court of Bishopstone. The collection is complete with the records for 1625-1799 on film 97591, and 1800-1854 is item 1 of film 189816.

P7. Prebendal Court of Chute and Chisenbury. This collection is available for 1607-1799 on film 97595 and 1800-1855 on 189813, item 1.

P8. Prebendal Court of Coombe and Harnham. The collection is complete with the records for 1648-1799 on film 97596, and 1800-1856 is item 2 of film 189816.

P9. Prebendal Court of Durnford. The collection is complete with the records for 1634-1799 on film 97597, and 1800-1857 is item 2 on film 189813.

P10. Prebendal Court of Highworth. The collection is complete with the records for 1609 and 1623-1799 on films 97599-97601, and 1800-1858 is on film 189812.

P11. Prebendal Court of Burbage. The records for 1635-1799 are on films 97592-97593. Those for 1800-1856 are item 3 on film 189815.

P12. Prebendal Court of Netheravon. The records for 1595-1799 are on film 97604, and 1800-1857 is item 1 of film 189815.

P13. Prebendal Court of Wilsford and Woodford. The record office has added 4 wills for 1588. The records on film are for 1615-1799 on film 97613, and 1800-1854 is item 3 of film 189816.

P21. Peculiar Court of the Lord Warden of Savernake Forest. The collection appears to be complete with 1617-1799 on films 97651-97653, and 1800-1829 is on film 189811.

P23. Peculiar Court of the Dean and Canons of Windsor. The record office appears to have added 20 documents, 1575-1641 since the filming took place. The records for 1668-1799 are on films 97620 through item 1 of film 97625, and 1800-1840 is on film 189801.

P24. Peculiar Court of the Dean and Chapter of Sarum. The pre-1800 probate records for this court are on films 97625-97632. The records for 1800-1857 are on films 189799-189800.

P25. Peculiar Court of the Precentor of Sarum. The record office has added 8 wills and 4 administration bonds to this collection for the period before 1614. The records for 1614-1799 are on films 97642-97650, and the period for 1800-1857 is on films 189806-189808.

P26. Peculiar Court of the Treasurer of Sarum. The probate records for 1610-1799 are on films 97633-97641, and the period for 1800-1858 is on films 189804-189805.

P28. Peculiar Court of Castle Combe. All of the records for this court are on film 97654.

P29. Peculiar Court of the Perpetual Vicar of Corsham. The Registered Copy Wills have been filmed twice. The period for 1462-1713 is on films 97655 and 1279378, item 19. The period for 1713-1857 is on films 1067155, items 1-2 and 1279380, items 1-22. The Original Wills for 1720-1779 are on film 97654, and for 1800-1857 on film 189810.

P30. Miscellaneous Wills. This series has been has been reduced to 237 documents in the online index covering 1530-1776. Most of these wills came under peculiar jurisdictions. The original collection of some 2000 documents is on 3 films starting with film 1702710.