where to locate a will

[BearPear]

I have an ancestor who, I am presuming, had died in the north-Norfolk area pre 1838. His youngest child was born 1803 when he was aged around 39, so I am guessing he didn't survive until 1838, but anything is possible. I couldn't find him on a quick search on TNA database.

I am not sure where his Will would have been proved, Canterbury or York as I can't find which diocese Norfolk comes under. I believe that he had an estate with a value of over 5 pounds, looking at what the family business seems to be - they were pawnbrokers. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

I seem to be making a lot of assumptions, but I have to start somewhere!

Thanks

[arthurk]

Norfolk is in the Diocese of Norwich, and most of the relevant records are held by the Norfolk Record Office http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/nroindex.htm . There are some online catalogues (link on home page), but you can also go to Norfolk Sources http://www.norfolksources.norfolk.gov.uk/ for images of certain probate records.

If the will wasn't proved in one of the Norfolk courts, the next place to look would be the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), which you can search on TNA's website - as you say you have done already.

I'm not a Norfolk expert but I know a man who is, and I'm sure he'll jump in with more advice should you need it.

Arthur

[Geoffers]

First place to try is the link Arthur gave to Norfolk Sources.

Next place is the NRO web-site which is the other link he gave. Scroll down to 'summary of collections' and click on NROCAT.

Search NROCAT by entering a name (try just a surname to begin with) in the first field 'Any Text' and in the 'Category' field enter the word Probate, then search. If there is a match, there will be a reference. You can use this to order a copy of the will from the NRO.

Any Norfolk wills you cannot find by the above means may be recorded in one of two sets of volumes:

Either, 'Norfolk Genealogy' (NG) volumes 3, 5, 10, and 16 for an index to the Archdeaconry Court or Court of Dean and Chapter and Chapter Peculiar.

Or 'Norfolk Record Society' (NRS) volumes 16, 21, 28, 34, 38 and 47 for an index to the Court of the City of Norwich.

1838 will be covered by NG vol 16 and NRS vol 47. Both sets of volumes can be seen at The NRO, The NFHS library and the Society of Genealogists in London.

Prior to 1858, probate was dealt with by ecclesiastical courts. The general rule being that the lowest court dealt with the probate. If someone only held property in one Archdeaconry, then that Archdeaconry court dealt with it. If someone held property in two Archdeaconries within the same diocese, then the diocesan court had jurisidiction. If someone held property in more than one dicocese then the provincial court dealt (i.e. PCC or PCY).

[arthurk]

I'm not a Norfolk expert but I know a man who is, and I'm sure he'll jump in with more advice should you need it.

What did I tell you?