Wills and probate records

The records fall naturally into 4 main groups:

• Records of the Archdeaconry of Northampton from 1469
• Records of the Consistory Court of Peterborough from 1541
• Records of Northampton Court of Probate and Registry from 1858
• Records of the Peterborough Court of Probate and Registry from 1858

Records of the Archdeaconry Court of Northampton:

Until the creation of the diocese of Peterborough in 1541, Northamptonshire and Rutland (except for peculiars and exempt jurisdictions) were part of the diocese of Lincoln, and while a few wills were proved at Lincoln, wills were generally proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton.

• Wills: 1469 - 1858. These are available on microfilm for the period 1510 - 1724
• Unproved wills: 1627 - 1857
• Nuncupative wills: 1725 - 1800
• Administrations and inventories: Many can be found bound in volumes with original wills, but there are also loose ones for the period 1660 - 1797

Records of the Consistory Court of Peterborough:

• Wills: 1541 - 1858. These are available on microfilm for the periods 1541 - 1646 and 1820 - 1858
• Administrations and Inventories:1570 - 1858. A number are available for 1570 - 1571 and for 1670 - 1683 when the series really begins, continuing to 1858.

Records of the Northampton Court of Probate and Registry

• 1858 - 1862 2 volumes of copies of wills and also of grants of administrations
• 1863 - 1930 34 volumes of copies of wills

Records of the Peterborough Court of Probate and Registry

• 1858 - 1941 54 volumes of copies of wills

We do not hold the wills proved in the various Peculiar Courts of the Diocese. However we do have microfilm copies (M 132 and 133) and a guide to their whereabouts.

"Probate 1" index

A composite index to wills, administration bonds and inventories from 1469 to 1676 has been produced. Its contents are described in the introductory pages in the first of the the three volumes.