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York (YKS)

Jurisdictions

Yorkshire was the largest of the ancient counties. It was made more manageable for administrative purposes by dividing it into three parts known as the East, North and West Ridings. Consult The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers for the riding and archdeaconry to which a particular parish belonged. The city of York and surrounding area was a separate region, but is treated in the above atlas under the East Riding as will also be done in this work.

East Riding

The majority of parishes in this riding came under the jurisdiction of the diocesan court and are filed under (A) the Exchequer Court of York. The calendars and records of the Exchequer Court of York and its superior court, the Prerogative Court of York, with the exception of the act books, are filed together.
There were numerous peculiar jurisdictions that are listed in the Decision Table below as (B-G) including:

(B) The Dean and Chapter of York
(C) The Dean of York, Precentor of York, Chancellor of York, Subdean of York, Succentor of York, Archdeacon of the East Riding, and the prebendal courts.
(D) The peculiar courts of Acomb, Bishop Wilton, South Cave, and the manor courts of Askham Bryan and Beeford.
(E) The peculiar court of Howden and Howdenshire.
(F) The court for Beverley known as the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St. John.
(G) The peculiar court of St. Leonard's Hospital in the city of York.

To determine the places that belonged to each of the above peculiar jurisdictions go to FindMyPast. Search here to learn more about peculiar York peculiar jurisdictions. This is a subscription site but is free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access. The listing below is designed to supplement the online search.

Place	Court
Bugthorpe	Prebendal of Bugthorpe (C)
Burton Pidsea	see also Dean and Chapter of York (B)
Carnaby	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Halsham	see Beverley (F)
Hotham	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Hull	See Kingston upon Hull in the Miscellaneous Section below
Lissett	see Manor of Beeford (D)
North Cave	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Nunburnholme	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Rise	see Beverley (F)
Rufforth	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Shipton	see Shiptonthorpe in the online list
South Cave	see also Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G)
Stockton on the Forest	Prebendal of Bugthorpe (C)
York	Pre-1534 also search Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital, York (G) for All Saints North Street, St Helen's Stonegate, St Giles' Gillygate, St Lawrence, St Wilfrid

Decision Table

For those who lived in (A) the Exchequer Court of York, search:

Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York
Chancery Court of York during visitations
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York during vacancies
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (B) the Dean and Chapter of York, search:

Court of the Dean and Chapter of York
Prerogative Court of York
Chancery Court of York
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (C) see the above list under East Riding (2C) and search:

The respective court.
Do searches 1-5 under (B) in the preceding entry.

For those who lived in (D) see the above list under East Riding (2D) and search:

The respective court.
Prerogative Court of York
Do searches 2-5 under (A) above.

For those who lived in (E) the Peculiar of Howden and Howdenshire, search:

The peculiar court of Howden and Howdenshire
The Consistory of Durham (see Durham)
Prerogative Court of York
Do searches 2-5 under (A) above.

For those who lived in (F) the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St. John, Beverley, search:

Pre-1552, the peculiar court of the Provost as named above
Do searches 1-5 under (A) above.

For those who lived in (G) the Peculiar of St. Leonard's Hospital, York, search:

Pre-1533, the peculiar court as named above
Do searches 1-5 under (A) above.

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

Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see 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. (see London: Estate Duty)

Indexes/Calendars for the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York

1267-1500, Online York Medieval Probate Index
This index was compiled in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute and is found at FindMyPast and is entitled "York Medieval Probate Index, 1267-1500". FindMyPast is a subscription site but free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access.
1389-1514, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 6
This is volume 6 of the Record Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. It is available at BYU on either film 402538 or as item 3 on film 599724. Volume 6 includes administrations and unregistered wills through 1502. S before a name in this index refers to an abstract online for the Surtees Society. (See the Miscellaneous Section.)
1514-1553, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 11
Volume 11 of the same series is available at BYU as item 2 of film 402538 or as item 4 on film 599725. The administrations for the same time period are in Appendix I.
1554-1568, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 14
Volume 14 of the same series is available at BYU as item 3 of film 402538. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1568-1585, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 19
Volume 19 of the same series is available at BYU on film 402539. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1585-1594, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 22
Volume 22 of the same series is available at BYU as item 2 of film 402539. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1594-1602, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 24
Volume 24 of the same series is available at BYU as item 3 of film 402539 or as item 3 on film 599869. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1603-1611, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 26
Volume 26 of the same series is available at BYU as item 4 of film 402539. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1612-1619, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 28
Volume 28 of the same series is available at BYU on film 402540. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1620-1627, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 32
Volume 32 of the same series is available at BYU as item 2 of film 402540. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1627-1636, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 35
Volume 35 of the same series is available at BYU as item 3 of film 402540. The administrations for 1627-1652 are listed in Appendix I, and Appendix II refers to unregistered or lost documents for 1633-1634.
1636-1652, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 4
Volume 4 of the same series is available at BYU as item 2 on film 402537 or on film 599724. See the previous entry for the administrations for 1636-1652.
1649-1660, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 1
Volume 1 of the same series is available at BYU on film 402537 or film 599723. Volume 1 is an index to the wills and administrations of Yorkshire proven in London during the Commonwealth and Interregnum. Abstracts of 251 of these wills are in volume 9 of the same series.
1660-1665, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 49
Volume 49 of the same series is available at BYU on film 547175. The administrations are listed in Appendix I. Appendix III indexes some unproved wills from Bundles A-B.
1666-1672, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 60
Volume 60 of the same series is available at BYU on film 402541. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1673-1680, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 68
Volume 68 of the same series is available at BYU as item 2 on film 402541. The administrations are listed in the appendix.
1681-1688, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a), volume 89
Volume 89 of the same series is available at BYU as item 3 on film 402541. The administrations are listed in Appendix I. Appendix II indexes more unproved wills.
1688-1710, A-K, Typescript (FHL 942.74 S2y)
This index is for the Exchequer Court of York, but does not include the Deanery of Holderness with Hull for 1688-1705 or the Prerogative Court of York, which see under #22 below. This typescript was produced by the staff of the FHL from the act books. It is available at BYU on film 908171. (There is a separate typescript for the Deanery of Dickering under FHL 942.74 P22ch.)
1688-1710, L-Z, Typescript (FHL 942.74 S2y)
This index is for the Exchequer Court of York, but does not include the Deanery of Holderness with Hull for 1688-1705 or the Prerogative Court of York, which see under #22 below. This typescript was produced by the staff of the FHL from the act books. It is available at BYU as item 2 on film 908171.
1711-1731, A-H, Typescript (FHL 942.74 S2y)
This index is for the Exchequer Court of York only. It is not at BYU on film.
1711-1731, I-Y, Typescript (FHL 942.74 S2y)
This index is for the Exchequer Court of York only. It is not at BYU on film.
1688-1731, Typescript (FHL 942.74 S2yp)
This index covers 1688-1731 for the Prerogative Court of York, and 1688-1705 for the Deanery of Holderness with Hull. It is not at BYU on film, except for the first edition covering the Deanery of Holderness, 1688-1705, which is item 3 on film 924148.
1731-1858, Calendars (FHL and BYU films 99446-99453)
The 29 manuscript volumes calendaring all probate records for both the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York are on 8 rolls of microfilm. See the FHLC for the contents of each film. Additionally, the volume for 1800-1803 is now in print in 2 parts (FHL 942.74 P22o) and the volumes for 1731-1858 are online at FindMyPast. See #1 listed above.

Microfilmed Wills for the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York

All of the Registered Copy Wills have been microfilmed. The initial film for this collection is 99445. A will that is not in the calendars for Thomas Jackson of Raskelf proven in 1769 appears at the end of FHL/BYU film 99730.

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.

The Original Wills, Administrations, and Inventories for 1636-1704 only have been microfilmed twice. The second filming adds the years 1636-1637, 1690, 1697-1699, but stops in 1701. However, it is easier to use. The initial film for the second series in the FHLC is 2000003. Both series are arranged by month and year the document was probated. Knowing the deanery to which a parish belonged will make the research for a particular document more efficient. The "Deanery Book" (FHL 942.74 P2 or film 100081) lists the parishes and their deaneries. Both series include unproved wills under the category known in York as "Reinfecta Wills."

Microfilmed Act Books for the Exchequer Court of York

The volumes of Exchequer probate act books for 1502-1858 are on microfilms 99979-100057. It is necessary to know the pertinent deanery to use them. See the preceding paragraph. There is a second filming for 1502-1630 or volumes 1-19 and 1A on films 991208-991227.

Microfilmed Act Books for the Prerogative Court of York

There are 41 volumes of probate act books for the PCY on microfilms 99957-99978. Abstracts for 1679-1685 were published in The Northern Genealogist (FHL 942 B2ng, volumes 2-4). If volume 1 of the PCY act books does not go early enough for a particular problem, search the Deanery of the City of York under the Exchequer series outlined above.

Other Volumes of Microfilmed Registered Probate Records

There are 3 sets of records for both the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts on film as follows:

1592-1639, Tuitions and Curations. This 1 volume contains information on guardianships. It may also have caveats not found in the third item below. It was filmed twice and is on FHL film 99956 and also appears as item 2 on film 991228.
1778-1833, Wills Decreed Out of Court. This 1 volume is on FHL film 98920, item 2 and is also item 1 on film 991228.
1521-1859, Caveat Books. The initial film for these 9 volumes is 1952098. Caveats should be searched in cases involving contested wills.

Chancery Court of York

The Chancery Court exercised original jurisdiction over the wills of the Anglican clergy in the diocese as well as on a general level when the archbishop's officials were involved with visitations to lower courts. The Chancery Court also exercised appellate jurisdiction. (See the Miscellaneous Section for further information under the subject of cause papers.)

Indexes/Calendars for the Chancery Court of York

1316-1822, Printed Indexes (FHL 942.74 B4a), volumes 73 and 93
These two volumes are from the Record Series of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Volume 73 for 1427-1658 is incomplete and may refer to some Exchequer Court wills, but it can still supplement the filmed records outlined below. Volume 93 for 1316-1822 indexes references to probate matters found in the general registers of each archbishop. No wills were proven in the Chancery Court for 1823-1824.
1825-1857, Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B2bo), volume 1
This is volume 1 of the Bulletin of the Borthwick Institute. Pages 39-42 are a continuation from the archbishops' registers.
1660-1724, 1809-1857, Manuscript Calendars, (FHL/BYU film 98924)
Items 1-2 of this film refer to wills of the clergy mainly for 1660-1710. Item 3 lists wills of laymen proven during visitations.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Chancery Court of York

The original surviving probate documents for this court have been filmed. The initial film number for the first filming is 99373. The first 3 films are not in very good order but do go back to 1427 and up to the mid-18th century. (See Indexes under #1 above.) The indexes, especially in volume 73 and on film 98924 may help here. The other films covering 1535-1599 and 1580-1845 are in chronological order by the year of probate. The section for 1535-1599 is on FHL film 991207. The records for 1580-1845 are on films 99376-99400. The most recent filming covers 1521-1857 and starts with film 1966871.

In addition to the above, there are general act books for all of the court business including grants of administrations. These are known as Chancery and Audience Books. However, only the first 28 volumes covering 1525-1640 have been microfilmed. The initial film for this set of records is 1952104. The general court act books for the Archbishop do include business from the Chancery Court for 1670-1674 in volumes 80-81 to be found on FHL film 2105564.

Court of the Dean and Chapter of York

The court of the Dean and Chapter held original probate jurisdiction over a number of parishes, including all of those in the City of York. This court also exercised appellate jurisdiction over many of the peculiar courts. It became the main court of probate during vacancies in the archbishopric until the new archbishop was installed. (See the separate section below for the vacancy records.)

Online Index and Filmed Calendar

1383-1858, Online York Peculiars Probate Index
This index was compiled in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute and is found at FindMyPast entitled "York Peculiars Probate Index, 1383-1883". FindMyPast is a subscription site but free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access. The microfilmed calendar to the Original Wills only is on FHL film 1648257, item 3.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Court of the Dean and Chapter of York

All of the probate records for the normal business of this court have been filmed, in some cases more than once. For the Original Wills, Administrations, and Inventories, use the second filming that begins with the initial film of 1647858. (See the above note concerning initial film numbers.) The Registered Copy Wills for 1321-1543 and 1547-1553 are on FHL film 1545163. Those for 1543-1558 are on FHL film 1545294. There is a printed index to these registers in volume 38 of FHL 942.74 B4a. Another 5 volumes for Registered Copy Wills, 1557-1638 and 1809-1858 is on FHL/BYU films 99878-99880. Each of the 5 volumes is indexed separately. The Act Books, 1545-1673 are also on FHL film 1545163, items 3-5. Item 4 for 1559-1636 is also indexed in volume 38 of FHL 942.74 B4a. An abstract book for 1774-1847 is on FHL film 100082. The Chapter Act Books, 1345-1558, start with item 7 of FHL film 1545163 and continue on film 1545164. The wills in them for 1346-1429 are indexed in volume 60 of FHL 942.74 B4a. There may not be any wills in these act books after 1546. Volume 60 also indexes a Registrum Antiquum de Testament, 1336-1343, that will be found on FHL film 1545294, item 2.

Probates Granted in the Court of the Dean and Chapter of York
During Vacancies in the Archbishopric

Original Wills, Administrations, and Inventories for 1464-1664 are on FHL films 1785887 (item 4) and 1785888. The period for 1683-1847 has been filmed 3 times. Start with the printed index for 1683 and 1686-1688 in appendices II-V of volume 89 of FHL 942.74 B4a that is also at BYU on film 402541, item 3. There are filmed indexes for 1776-1777, 1807-1808, and 1847 on FHL/BYU films 98916, item 3, and 98922, item 4. For the matching records, 1683-1686, use either the first or second filmings. The first starts with film 99005 and the second with film 1785885. For 1686-1847, use the third filming that starts with film 1850541. The Registered Copy Wills were not filmed except for volume 1 for 1724 on FHL film 99881. The Act Books for 1530-1531 and 1544-1545 are item 2 on FHL/BYU film 99980. Those for 1559-1561, 1568-1570, 1683, and 1686 have been filmed 3 times. Use the first filming on FHL/BYU films 98922 (item 3)-98923.

Microfilmed Probates for All Other Peculiar Courts in the East Riding

All of the probate records for these courts have been filmed, in some cases more than once. The records filmed in the early and mid-1990s should be used. They have separate indexes; however, the most efficient approach is to start with the master online index.

1383-1858, Online York Peculiars Probate Index
This index was compiled in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute and is found at FindMyPast entitled "York Peculiars Probate Index, 1383-1883". FindMyPast is a subscription site but free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access. The courts are listed below in coordination with the online index. An asterisk (*) after a film number indicates that it is the initial film in a series and the researcher should consult FamilySearch.org under that number for further details.

Court	Film Numbers/Notes
Peculiar of Acomb	1835765, item 3
Archdeaconry of the East Riding	(1571-1608) 1835985, item 5 (1608-1849) 1836045, items 1-2
Manor of Askham Bryan	1835584, item 2
Prebend of Barnby	(1610-1686) 1786001, item 3 (1688-1729) 1786002, item 1
Manor of Beeford	1835584, items 4-5
Beverley, Peculiar of the Collegiate...	1835584, item 6
... Church of St. John	Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a, volume 60)
Prebend of Bilton	(1591-1796) 1786002, item 2 (1847-1849) 1786003, item 1
Peculiar of Bishop Wilton	1836097, item 1
Prebend of Bugthorpe	(1544-1720) 1786003, item 3 1735-1831) 1786095, item 1
Chancellor of York	1835835*
Dean of York	1701738*
Prebend of Dunnington	1786095, item 2
Prebend of Fridaythorpe	1786248, item 2
Prebend of Givendale	1786248, item3
Prebend of Grindal	1786248, item 4
Prebend of Holme Archiepiscopi	1786248, item 5
Peculiar of Howden/Howdenshire	1835653*
Prebend of Langtoft	(1520-1640) 1786249, item 3 (1670-1845) 1786250, item 1
Manor of Newton on Ouse	1835765, item 2
Prebend of North Newbald	(1663-1772) 1786250, item 2 (1783-1851) 1786297, item 1
Precentor of York	1835766*
Prebend of Riccall	1786297*
Peculiar of South Cave	1835468*
Subdean of York	(1559-1689) 1836048, item 2 (1690-1837) 1836049
Succentor of York	1835985, item 3
Prebend of Weighton	1786448*
Prebend of Wetwang	(1528-1737) 1786551, item 2 (1755-1850) 1786552, item 1
York, St. Leonard's Hospital	1545163, item 6 Printed Index (FHL 942.74 B4a, volume 60)

North Riding

The majority of parishes in the eastern half of the North Riding came under the probate jurisdiction of the Exchequer Court of York. See the East Riding above for further details. The majority of parishes in the western half of this riding came under (A) the Archdeaconry of Richmond (Eastern Deaneries). The Archdeaconry of Richmond was unusual in that it retained its own probate records and may have probated estates of persons in the peculiar jurisdictions within the boundaries of the archdeaconry. Consult The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers for the division between archdeaconries.
The exceptions involve several peculiar jurisdictions throughout the North Riding including the Dean and Chapter of York over 3 parishes, the Dean of York over 7 parishes, and the Precentor of York over 1 parish. See the East Riding above for details of these courts. Other peculiar jurisdictions (B-G) are tied to the Decision Table below.

(B) The Peculiar of Salton and 7 prebendal courts.
(C) The Peculiar of Alne and Tollerton, and the manors of Linton on Ouse and Newton on Ouse.
(D) The peculiars of Aldbrough, Masham and Middleham; and the manor of Arkengarthdale.
(E) The peculiar courts of Howden and Howdenshire, and Allerton and Allertonshire.
For the latter court, start with the online approach described under Durham.
(F) The court for Beverley known as the Provost of the Collegiate Church of St. John.
(G) The peculiar court of St. Leonard's Hospital in the city of York.

Place	Court
Aldbrough in the parish of St. John Stanwick	Peculiar of Aldbrough (D)
Arkengarthdale	Manor of Arkengarthdale (D)
Birkby	see Northallerton
Brompton	see Northallerton
Burneston	Archdeaconry of Richmond and also Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital (G)
Cowesby	see Northallerton
Crayke	Consistory of Durham, see Durham
Deighton	see Northallerton
High Worsall	see Northallerton
Hope	see Arkengarthdale
Hutton Bonville	see Northallerton
Kirby Sigston	see Northallerton
Leake	see Northallerton
Masham	Peculiar of Masham (D)
Middleham	Royal Peculiar of Middleham (D)
New Forest	see Arkengarthdale
Newton on Ouse	Manor of Newton on Ouse (C) and also Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital (G)
Northallerton	Peculiar of Allerton and Allertonshire (E)
North Otterington	see Northallerton
Osmotherley	see Northallerton
Pickhill	Archdeaconry of Richmond and also Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital (G)
Skelton by York	Peculiar of Alne and Tollerton (C)
Stockton on the Forest	see list of places under East Riding
Thorton le Street	see Northallerton
Topcliffe	see also Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital (G)
Upper Helmsley	Peculiar of St Leonard's Hospital (G)
Westerdale	Manor of Westerdale, see also Exchequer of York
West Rounton	see Northallerton

Decision Table

For those who lived in (A) the Archdeaconry of Richmond (Eastern Deaneries), search:

Archdeaconry Court of Richmond
Prerogative Court of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York during visitations (see the East Riding)
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York during vacancies (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (B) the Peculiar of Salton and the prebendal courts, search:

The respective court.
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (C) see the above list under North Riding (2C) and search:

The respective court.
Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York during visitations (see the East Riding)
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York during vacancies (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (D) see the above list under North Riding (2D) and search:

The respective court.
Do searches 1-6 under (A) above.

For those who lived in (E) see the above list under North Riding (2E) and search:

The respective court.
Consistory Court of Durham (see Durham)
Do searches 2-6 under (A) above.

For those who lived in (F-G), see the Decision Table for the East Riding (F-G).

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

Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)

Indexes/Calendars for the Archdeaconry Court of Richmond

(The 2 deaneries for this court in the North Riding are Catterick and Richmond.)

1474-1617, A-G, Printed Index (FHL 942 B2ng), volume 3
This index only covers surnames, A-G, and may be incomplete. It is found at the back of volume 3 of The Northern Genealogist.
1410-1610, Calendars (FHL films 98904-98909)
Only film 98904 for surnames beginning with A in the Manuscript Calendars, and film 98906 for C-F are at BYU.
1611-1700, Calendars (FHL films 98910-98911)
1700-1826, Calendar (FHL/BYU film 98912, item 1)
Part way through item 1 is a list of parishes with the names of pew holders dated 1720.
1826-1857, Calendar (FHL/BYU film 98912, item 2)
The probate calendar is followed by a list of marriage licenses for 1822-1823.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Eastern Deaneries of the
Archdeaconry Court of Richmond

Only the Registered Copy Wills and Act Books have been microfilmed. The Registered Copy Wills for 1474-1585 are on FHL films 98914-98915. The wills for 1720-1731 are on FHL film 98921, and those for 1783-1791 are in item 2 on FHL film 99881. The act books, 1663-1854 are on FHL films 99952-99954. To compensate for the lack of filmed probate records, first compare any entries found in the above calendars with the act books. If the deceased appears to have held land, try the Registry of Deeds for a copy of the will. See the Miscellaneous Section for further details. Then contact the West Yorkshire Archive Service at Leeds (leeds@wyjs.org.uk) to arrange to have copies made of any other pertinent probate documents.

Microfilmed Probates for Peculiar Courts in the North Riding

Probate records for some of these courts have been filmed more than once. In those cases, use the records filmed in the early and mid-1990s. The online index does not include Aldbrough, Arkengarthdale, Masham or Middleham.

1383-1858, Online York Peculiars Probate Index
This index was compiled in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute and is found at FindMyPast entitled "York Peculiars Probate Index, 1383-1883". FindMyPast is a subscription site but free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access. The courts are listed below in coordination with the online index. An asterisk (*) after a film number indicates that it is the initial film in a series and the researcher should consult FamilySearch under that number for further details.

Court	Film Number/Notes
Peculiar of Aldbrough	Printed Index, 1610-1700 (FHL 942.74 B4a, volume 60) No records have been filmed. [Any surviving records might be found with the manor court records.]
Peculiar of Allerton/Allertonshire	90984, 90985, 90998, 91000, 91012, 91019, 91034, 91035, 91040 (see Durham first for online research)
Peculiar of Alne & Tollerton	1836097*
Prebend of Ampleforth	1786001, item 1
Manor of Arkengarthdale	Calendar, 1698-1812, is on 98917, item 14. Abstracts of the wills, A-M, are in FHL 942 B2ng, volumes 4-6. For originals, contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk.
Beverley	see the East Riding
Prebend of Bugthorpe	see the East Riding
Peculiar of Howden/Howdenshire	1835653*
Prebend of Husthwaite	1786249, item 1
Manor of Linton on Ouse	1835764, item 1
Peculiar of Masham	Printed Index, 1548-1858, comes in 2 parts under FHL 942.74 P2m. Registered Copy Wills, 1576-1654, are item 5 of 98918. Some original records, 1609-1707, are item 2 of 99929. For more records contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk.
Royal Peculiar of Middleham	Calendar, 1722-1854, is on 98916, item 7 and an act book, 1789-1851, is item 9. For other records, contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk.
Manor of Newton on Ouse	1835765, item 2
Prebend of Osbaldwick	1786297, item 2
Peculiar of Salton	1786552, item 2
Prebend of Stillington	(1515-1660) 1786333, item 2 (1661-1843) 1786334
Prebend of Strensall	(1528-1685) 1786393 (1686-1852) 1786394, item 1
Prebend of Warthill	1786448, item 2
York, St. Leonard's Hospital	see East Riding

West Riding

The majority of parishes in the West Riding came under the probate jurisdiction of the
Exchequer Court of York. See the East Riding for further details. Ten parishes belonged to 1 Eastern Deanery (Boroughbridge) of the Archdeaconry of Richmond. See the North Riding for further details. Four parishes belonged to (A) 1 Western Deanery (Lonsdale) of the Archdeaconry of Richmond.
The exceptions involved several peculiar jurisdictions throughout the West Riding including the Dean and Chapter of York over 6 parishes, the Precentor of York over 1 parish, and the Chancellor of York over 9 parishes. See the East Riding for details of these courts. Other peculiar jurisdictions (B-D) are tied to the Decision Table below.

(B) The Archdeaconry of York and 4 prebendal courts.
(C) The peculiars of Selby, Snaith, Wadworth, and 10 manorial courts.
(D) The peculiar court of St. Leonard's Hospital in the city of York.

Place	Court
Allerton Mauleverer	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Altofts in Normanton	Manor of Altofts (C)
Arkendale	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Austerfield	Archdeaconry of Nottingham (see Nottingham)
Batley	Manor of Batley (C)
Bentham	Archdeaconry of Richmond (A)
Blubberhouses	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Boroughbridge	Dean and Chapter of York until 1823
Burton in Lonsdale	Archdeaconry of Richmond (A)
Burton Leonard	See also Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Castley	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Cattal	see Hunsingore
Cayton	see South Stainley
Chapel le Dale	see Bentham
Clapham	Archdeaconry of Richmond (A)
Clint	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Coneythorpe	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Copgrove	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Dent	see Sedbergh
Dob Cross	see Saddleworth
Dukeswick	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Farnham	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Fewston	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Friarmere	see Saddleworth
Garsdale	see Sedbergh
Gisburn	Peculiar of St. Leonard's Hospital (D)
Goldsborough	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Great Ouseburn	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Great Ribston	Manor of Hunsingore (C)
Hampsthwaite	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Harrogate	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Hartwith	Peculiar of Masham (see North Riding)
Haverah Park	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Heath	Manor of Warmfield (C)
Howgill	see Sedbergh
Hunsingore	Manor of Hunsingore (C)
Ingleton	see Bentham
Killinghall	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Kirkby Malzeard	Peculiar of Masham (see North Riding)
Kirk Hammerton	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Knaresborough	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Lindley	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Little Ribston	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Lydgate	see Saddleworth
Marton cum Grafton	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Middlesmoor	Peculiar of Masham (see North Riding)
Nidd	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Nun Monkton	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Pannal	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Plompton	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Rigton	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Ripley	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)
Rossington	Archdeaconry of Nottingham (see Nottingham)
Saddleworth	Consistory of Chester (see Lancashire)
Saxton	Peculiar of St. Leonard's Hospital (D)
Sedbergh	Archdeaconry of Richmond (A)
South Stainley	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Stainburn	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Staveley	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge) and Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Swindon	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Thornton in Lonsdale	Archdeaconry of Richmond (A)
Ulleskelf	See also the Prebend of Wetwang in the East Riding
Walshford	Manor of Hunsingore (C)
Warmfield	Manor of Warmfield (C)
Weeton	Honour of Knaresborough (C)
Whixley	Archdeaconry of Richmond (Boroughbridge)

Decision Table

For those who lived in (A) the Archdeaconry of Richmond, Lonsdale Deanery, search:

Archdeaconry Court of Richmond, Lonsdale Deanery
Prerogative Court of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York during visitations (see the East Riding)
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York during vacancies (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (B) the Archdeaconry of York and the prebendal courts, search:

The respective court.
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (C) see the above list under West Riding (2C) and search:

The respective court.
Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York (see the East Riding)
Chancery Court of York during visitations (see the East Riding)
Court of the Dean and Chapter of York during vacancies (see the East Riding)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)
Court of Delegates, 1636- (see London: Delegates)

For those who lived in (D), see the Decision Table for the East Riding (G).

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

Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see London: PCC)

Indexes for the Archdeaconry Court of Richmond, Lonsdale Deanery

1469-1720, A-Y, Calendars (FHL/BYU films 98557-98567)
1719-1748, Act Books (FHL 99950-99951)
Use the act books to fill the gap between the manuscript calendars and the printed index. The entries for Lonsdale are on pages 154-182 of FHL/BYU film 99950. Film 99951 is not at BYU.
1748-1858, Printed Index (FHL 942.72 P22a, vols. 1-20 bound into 5 volumes)
This index was produced by the Institute of Local and Family History of the University of Central Lancashire. It is not available at BYU. To compensate, use the act book, 1748-1858 on film FHL/BYU 100068.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Deanery of Lonsdale

All of the surviving records have been microfilmed. The Original Wills, 1749-1858, were filmed twice. The first filming starts with 1535 and the initial film is 98557. The second filming of Original Wills, 1749-1858, begins with film 2106597.

Microfilmed Probates for Peculiar Courts in the West Riding

Probate records for some of these courts have been filmed more than once. In those cases, use the records filmed in the early and mid-1990s. The online index does not include Altofts, Batley, Hunsingore, Knaresborough as an honour court, Masham, or Warmfield.

1383-1858, Online York Peculiars Probate Index
This index was compiled in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute and is found at FindMyPast entitled "York Peculiars Probate Index, 1383-1883". FindMyPast is a subscription site but free at the FHL and through FamilySearch Partner Access. The courts are listed below in coordination with the online index. An asterisk (*) after a film number indicates that it is the initial film in a series and the researcher should consult the FHLC under that number for further details.

Court	Film Numbers/Notes
Manor of Altofts in Normanton	Printed Index, 1622-1677 (FHL 942 B2ng, volume 1, page 130) No records have been filmed. Contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk.
Archdeaconry of York	1835985, item 2
Manor of Barnoldswick	1835584, item 3
Manor of Batley	Transcripts, 1601-1698, 1239233, item 1 See the Miscellaneous Section for abstracts.
Manor of Crossley	1835584*
Prebend of Fenton	1786095*
Manor of Hunsingore	Calendar, 1607-1839, FHL/BYU 98917, item 9 No records have been filmed. Contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk.
Prebend of Knaresborough	1546, 1560 1786249, item 2
Honour of Knaresorough	Calendar, 1640-1858, FHL/BYU 98917, items 7-8 No records have been filmed. Contact leeds@wyjs.org.uk. See also the Miscellaneous Section for publications of the Surtees Society.
Manor of Marsden	1654-1840, 1835764, item 2 1841-1855, 1835765, item 1
Peculiar of Masham	See the North Riding.
Peculiar of Selby	1966395*
Manor of Silsden	1966502*
Peculiar of Snaith	1836335*
Manor of Temple Newsam	Calendar, 1612-1701, FHL/BYU 98917, item 6 Printed Abstracts of all documents are item 5 of the same film or use FHL 942 B4t, volume 33.
Prebend of Ulleskelf	1612-1626, 1786394, item 3 1670-1751, 1786448, item 1
Peculiar of Wadworth	1786620, item 1
Manor of Warmfield	Printed Index, 1613, 1642-1691 (FHL 942 B2ng, volume 1, page 129)
Prebend of Wetwang	See the East Riding.
Prebend of Wistow	1786620*

Miscellaneous Section

The Surtees Society published abstracts from wills of the northern counties from the medieval period to about 1580 that are now online. Click on the following for details.
Medieval English Genealogy See also item 10 below.
Cause Papers, (FHL 942.74 B4b) volumes 6, 9, 14
These volumes are part of the Texts and Calendars of the Borthwick Institute. Cause Papers concern appeals from the lower courts in this province. Volume 6 covers 1350-1843 for the Dean and Chapter of York only; volume 9 is "files transmitted on appeal, 1500-1883;" and volume 14 covers 1301-1399. See the FHLC under Court Records and the name of the court for possible microfilms of cause papers. There may also be probate matters in the general act books of the Consistory Court of the Archbishop of York. These act books have been filmed, 1417-1855, and are filed under the initial film of FHL 1952065. (See the above note concerning initial film numbers) See also item 10 below.
Printed Inventories, 1350-1500 (FHL 942 P29s)
This work by P.M. Stell and Louise Hampson was published in 2000.
Printed Inventories, 1542-1689 (FHL 942.74 B4a, volume 134)
This is volume 134 of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, edited by Peter C.D. Brears and published in 1972.
Abstracts of Wills for the Manor of Batley
Abstracts of selected wills, 1391-1768, are in FHL 942.74/B3 H2s, pages 294-411. Further abstracts for 1651-1694 were published by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society (FHL 942.74 B4a, volume 74).
Corporation of Kingston upon Hull
The corporation also probated wills of its citizens. Volume 2, pages 181-183 of The Northern Genealogist contains an index to 36 wills for 1309-1425 (FHL 942 B2ng). A guide to the city archives adds information on the probates of individuals for 1303-1791 (FHL 942.74/H1 A5ki). Use the subject index under wills and then the persons' names.
Extracts of Wills for the Honour of Knaresborough (FHL 942 B4s)
The Surtees Society published an index, 1640-1858, of original records in their volume 110; and brief extracts of wills in volumes 104 and 110. Both volumes are indexed.

The Registry of Deeds for this county has been microfilmed. There may be copies of wills among the deeds for those who held land. The initial films for this large series of records for the various parts of the county are as follows:

East Riding, 1712-1900, 1595601
North Riding, 1736-1876, 554717
West Riding, 1704-1900, 1471855
City of York, 1718-1866, 2045856-2045858

Further details for the filmed probate collection for this county, including some references to both internal and external migration, can be found in David H. Pratt's Researching British Probates, 1354-1858 (FHL Reference 942 P23p and BYU Religion/Family History Reference CS 434 .X1 P72 1992).
For further details concerning the original records, see Colin Blanshard Withers' Yorkshire Probate published in 2006. (FHL 942.74 P2w) This is not only a thorough reference book but is accompanied by a CD-ROM that includes various unpublished indexes; and indexes to the Surtees Society volumes, cause papers, and "probate material from family and solicitor deposits." The CD is filed at the FHL under #4088 but it can be seen at the FHL on their in-house computer network as well.

York (YKS)

Jurisdictions

East Riding

Decision Table

Indexes/Calendars for the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York

Microfilmed Wills for the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of York

Microfilmed Act Books for the Exchequer Court of York

Microfilmed Act Books for the Prerogative Court of York

Other Volumes of Microfilmed Registered Probate Records

Chancery Court of York

Indexes/Calendars for the Chancery Court of York

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Chancery Court of York

Court of the Dean and Chapter of York

Online Index and Filmed Calendar

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Court of the Dean and Chapter of York

Probates Granted in the Court of the Dean and Chapter of YorkDuring Vacancies in the Archbishopric

Microfilmed Probates for All Other Peculiar Courts in the East Riding

North Riding

Decision Table

Indexes/Calendars for the Archdeaconry Court of Richmond

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Eastern Deaneries of the Archdeaconry Court of Richmond

Microfilmed Probates for Peculiar Courts in the North Riding

West Riding

Decision Table

Indexes for the Archdeaconry Court of Richmond, Lonsdale Deanery

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Deanery of Lonsdale

Microfilmed Probates for Peculiar Courts in the West Riding

Miscellaneous Section

Probates Granted in the Court of the Dean and Chapter of York
During Vacancies in the Archbishopric

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Eastern Deaneries of the
Archdeaconry Court of Richmond