England, Durham, Probate Bonds, 1556-1858

The bonds for each year are in separate numerical sequences which were devised before the deposit of the material with the University of Durham; sometimes but not always these run chronologically. Up to 1738 the number of each bond is prefixed with the letter B. From 1739 onwards the bonds are divided into two numerial sequences for each year, one consisting of administration bonds, relating to the estates of intestates (numbering prefixed with an A), and the other primarily of will bonds, relating to executorships (number prefixed with a T. for Testament). Filed with the will bonds are also some tuition and curation bonds, relating to the appointment of guardians for minors. These records are linked to an index on Durham University's website: http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/advanced.php