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
England, Durham, Probate Bonds
What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1556-1858. Probate courts deal in the legal administration of wills and estates. Probate bonds are a written guarantee that a person will faithfully perform the tasks assigned to him by a probate court.
This collection comes from the University of Durham. Before being housed by the University, the records were organized by number, although not necessarily chronologically. Up to the year 1738, the number of each bond is prefixed with the letter B. From 1739 onwards, the bonds are divided into two numerical sequences for each year. Administration bonds, relating to the estates of those that died without a will, are prefixed with the letter A. The other group, consisting primarily of will bonds, relating to executors (those assigned to carry out a will), are prefixed with the letter T for testament. Filed with the will bonds are also some tuition and curation bonds, relating to the appointment of guardians for minors.
The records in this collection are linked to an index on Durham University Probate Database website. Fill in as much information as you know and click on Search Database. The results will provide a link back to the images and/or give you the reference number to look within FamilySearch. For example, (DPR/I/3/1750/A90/2) "1750" refers to the year. Note the last number in the reference (A90). This refers to a numerical order within the section rather than an actual image number.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
To Browse This Collection
| You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for England, Durham Probate Bonds, 1556-1858. |
What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
- Name of testator
- Name of executor
- Names of beneficiaries
- Place of residence
- Witness name(s)
Collection Content
Sample Images
1795 Probate Bonds
1775 Probate Records
Collection Details
Location of Original Records
Durham University
"England, Durham, Probate Bonds, 1556-1858 ." Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 3 December 2024. Special Collections, Palace Green Library, Durham University, Durham.
