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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Norfolk => Topic started by: melba_schmelba on Sunday 07 April 19 11:22 BST (UK)
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It seems Norwich Consistory Court, Archdeaconry, and other peculiar wills are now viewable online, despite Norfolk Archives making no mention of this whatsoever! Does anyone know if there is a guide as to how to find these using references from the NRO catalogue, or could anyone give any pointers?
http://nrocat.norfolk.gov.uk/DServe/public/searches/nroprobate.htm (http://nrocat.norfolk.gov.uk/DServe/public/searches/nroprobate.htm)
I assume these are two of the correct links, perhaps there are others?
Norwich CC Wills
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/278818?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/278818?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Norwich CC Inventories
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/578058?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/578058?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
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Hi
Yes, you have two of the correct links there.
If we take the will of Samuel Bush as an example, on NROCAT it says
Busshe (Bush), Samuel, clerk, of Ringland 1626 NCC will register Mittings 136
So select the film for 1626 by clicking on the camera icon. 136 is going to be the the folio that the will should be found on. Usually is written top right corner. So they are quite easy to find.
If there are two or more register books on the film there may be of course be more than one folio 136.
I think most of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk wills are locked up though.
John
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Thanks Jon, very helpful. I have found several more links, most of which no longer seem to be locked to Family History Centers. Confusingly there seem to be some duplicates and overlaps - i.e. in the case of the link above described as 'Episcopal Consistory Court, Archdeaconry of Norwich' wills we have this duplicate below, and also some seeming duplicates in the Archdeaconry records:
Norwich consistory wills, 1703-1857
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Then Archdeaconry Court:
Will registers for the Archdeaconry of Norwich, 1538-1857
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625392?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625392?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Wills and administrations, 1469-1857 Archdeaconry of Norwich. Court
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504379?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504379?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Wills and administrations, 1459-1857. Archdeaconry of Norfolk. Court POST UPDATE: Most wills are locked
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/291384?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/291384?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Probate inventories, 1674-1825 Archdeaconry of Norwich
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625371?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625371?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Administration bonds and act books for the Court of the Archdeaconry of Norwich., 1660-1763
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/482770?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/482770?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Dean and Chapter of Norwich Peculiar Court:
Probate records, 1572-1857 Dean and Chapter of Norwich. Peculiar Court (couple reels not yet digitized)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/300958?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/300958?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Administration bonds for the Dean and Chapter of Norwich Diocese, 1706-1735
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/488738?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/488738?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Probate records and marriage licence bonds, 1291-1944. Dean and Chapter of Norwich. Peculiar Court
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625447?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625447?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Castle Rising and Great Cressingham Peculiar Courts:
Probate records, 1624-1720. Peculiar Court (Castle-Rising)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/475197?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/475197?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Probates and marriage bonds for the Peculiar of Great Cressingham, 1675-1760
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625422?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625422?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
General Catalogue?
Catalogues of Archdeaconry and Peculiar records. Norfolk Record Office
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625557?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/625557?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Norwich Consistory Court Administrations:
Calender of Norwich consistory administrations, 1519-1858
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/417217?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/417217?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Norwich consistory administrations index, 1519-1588
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/709988?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/709988?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
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It is always possible that they are only temporarily 'unlocked' this happened elsewhere a few weeks ago on FS and they were locked again without prior warning.
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It is always possible that they are only temporarily 'unlocked' this happened elsewhere a few weeks ago on FS and they were locked again without prior warning.
I hope not Rosie :). It seems more and more parish registers and wills are online for everyone now at familysearch. This is a link to explain all the different courts at Norfolk Archives
https://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/Help-with-your-research/Family-history/Wills-and-probate/Church-Courts---probate-records-before-11-January-1858 (https://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/Help-with-your-research/Family-history/Wills-and-probate/Church-Courts---probate-records-before-11-January-1858)
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I'm going to add this one, but better not to tell anyone else about it ;D
Norwich District probate registry wills, 1858-1925
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1023004?availability=Family%20History%20Library
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See reply 12 and following posts about the Northumberland records that were there and then they were not :'(
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=797637.9
I would be saving everything I could find while they are there just in case
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Also, for images of Norfolk wills 1800 to 1857
http://www.norfolksources.norfolk.gov.uk/DserveNS/
See reply 12 and following posts about the Northumberland records that were there and then they were not :'(
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=797637.9
That was a happy day. Since then I have been finding that Sussex records (images) can sometimes be downloaded from FamilySearch. Change of policy or continuing glitch?
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Thanks John, I was beginning to think it was me with Sussex records so I will go and have another look at them.
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See reply 12 and following posts about the Northumberland records that were there and then they were not :'(
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=797637.9
I would be saving everything I could find while they are there just in case
Rosie, they seem to be online again
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070)
Also Northumberland and Durham wills are too, search results below links to familysearch records
http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/intro.php
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I'm going to add this one, but better not to tell anyone else about it ;D
Norwich District probate registry wills, 1858-1925
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1023004?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Intriguing! Are all 1858-1925 wills online across the country?
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No, sadly they aren't. Those proved at Chester might be online though.
John
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No, sadly they aren't. Those proved at Chester might be online though.
John
Ah, shame :). Unfortunately it looks like a lot of the Archdeaconry Court of Norfolk records are locked as you said - I didn't scroll all the way down ::) But we have this page with slightly different references relating to the Archdeaconry Court of Norwich which is all open, is that something different?
Wills and administrations, 1469-1857. Archdeaconry of Norwich. Court.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504379?availability=Family%20History%20Library (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/504379?availability=Family%20History%20Library)
Using references from the NRO cat i.e. ANF will register fo., no. such and such, I haven't been able to match these to these other registers.
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Unfortunately checking some other references from the open register it seems the Archdeaconry of Norfolk and the Archdeaconry of Norwich are indeed two different things designated ANF and ANW respectively in the NRO cat. So one will need to go to a Family History Center or Norfolk Record Office to access most of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk (ANF) wills currently.
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Rosie, they seem to be online again
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070)
Also Northumberland and Durham wills are too, search results below links to familysearch records
http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/intro.php
When you follow the camera icon it tells you they are available to members of the church or at a LDS centre or unavailable for online viewing at this time (I am logged in)
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Rosie, they seem to be online again
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2353070)
Also Northumberland and Durham wills are too, search results below links to familysearch records
http://familyrecords.dur.ac.uk/nei/data/intro.php
When you follow the camera icon it tells you they are available to members of the church or at a LDS centre or unavailable for online viewing at this time (I am logged in)
Hi Rosie, sorry wrong link, they're not indexed but you can browse
https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=9K5M-L29%3A13617901%3Fcc%3D1309819 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=9K5M-L29%3A13617901%3Fcc%3D1309819)
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They are the BT transcripts, the ones that were open were parish register images :)
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Hi
I think the different courts are best explained via the link you gave to Norfolk, "Church Courts - probate records before 11 January 1858". Certainly better than I could!
As you have said, the ANF register copy wills are locked up as far as home viewing is concerned. I don't know why that is as we can see the Norwich ones.
But at least it appears that we can see the ANF copy wills for 1800-57 on Norfolk Sources
i.e., from NROCAT
Fidgett, Jane, of Fakenham, 1808
ANF will register 1808-1810 (1808) fo. 12 no. 6
Chose that one at random, but anyway it is online. Can't get the Rootschat Shrink Link to work for this!
http://tinyurl.com/y5db2n6l
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Hi
I think the different courts are best explained via the link you gave to Norfolk, "Church Courts - probate records before 11 January 1858". Certainly better than I could!
As you have said, the ANF register copy wills are locked up as far as home viewing is concerned. I don't know why that is as we can see the Norwich ones.
But at least it appears that we can see the ANF copy wills for 1800-57 on Norfolk Sources
i.e., from NROCAT
Fidgett, Jane, of Fakenham, 1808
ANF will register 1808-1810 (1808) fo. 12 no. 6
Chose that one at random, but anyway it is online. Can't get the Rootschat Shrink Link to work for this!
http://tinyurl.com/y5db2n6l
It doesn't make much sense why just one lot of the Norwich wills are blocked and all the others are now available. Thanks for the Norfolk Sources link, I wasn't aware of that site - would I be right in thinking it is indexed by persons mentioned in the will as well as the testator?
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After posting yesterday I was browsing images for a Sussex parish I am interested in, this morning they are locked. >:( :'(
On the plus side I did find a document confirming the father of someone on my direct line so that was a bonus. ;D It just shows how you have to keep looking at the parishes you are interested in as the records do 'come & go'
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I have used the Norwich and Norfolk wills online lots of times and it has been very beneficial for my Norfolk ancestors as some of my London and Suffolk ancestors descended from Norfolk folk. Lots of Suffolk people had their wills registered at Norwich courts. I hate the dreaded "key" above the camera symbol for records that could be a goldmine of info, but not seen such "key" with the Norfolk online images.
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I have used the Norwich and Norfolk wills online lots of times and it has been very beneficial for my Norfolk ancestors as some of my London and Suffolk ancestors descended from Norfolk folk. Lots of Suffolk people had their wills registered at Norwich courts. I hate the dreaded "key" above the camera symbol for records that could be a goldmine of info, but not seen such "key" with the Norfolk online images.
Hi coombs, most of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk wills are locked from 1542 on
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/291384?availability=Family%20History%20Library
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This may well be a new offering, but it is possible to see thousands of Norfolk Consistory Wills pre 1857 using Family Search site. They are not indexed, but are in
'year' order. Provided you know when, any will is relatively easy to find.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library.
If that link does not work, go to Family Search, choose search, choose catalog.
I put 'place' as Norfolk, England, and 'title' Wills. You get a few options. The one you want is
Norwich consistory wills, 1703-1857
I have yet to explore the other options, but I doubt it will be a waste of time when I do. The FamilySearch catalog is a simply wonderful - free - resource.
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Added: These have been locked since last evening!
This may well be a new offering, but it is possible to see thousands of Norfolk Consistory Wills pre 1857 using Family Search site. They are not indexed, but are in
'year' order. Provided you know when, any will is relatively easy to find.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library.
If that link does not work, go to Family Search, choose search, choose catalog.
I put 'place' as Norfolk, England, and 'title' Wills. You get a few options. The one you want is
Norwich consistory wills, 1703-1857
I have yet to explore the other options, but I doubt it will be a waste of time when I do. The FamilySearch catalog is a simply wonderful - free - resource.
You may not have to trawl / browse each of the images on the films covering the year.
Although there are several Registers on each film.
Some William Cook of Lowestoft, Suffolk, Wills:-
1855 Cook William the Elder, Fisherman 542, (Widow Sarah [nee Butcher] etc., Testator died 16th February 1831, Proved 1855) ;
1856 Wills start at F. S. film strip image number 259 of Film #004389347
1856 Cook William, Mariner, Code 112 (Widow Pleasance. Wm Cook, Bachelor, married Pleasance Stone, Spinster in 1818 at Lowestoft, Suffolk)
[F. S. Film strip image number 371] ;
1857 Cook William, Gentleman 616 (Will written 1849, one of his Will Codicils says now of Harleston).
[F. S. Film strip image number 1572 onward]
The Norfolk Record Office online catalogue lists the Testator's Name, Place & Year (above) with a number reference.
Got the page up by putting into Google:- "Norfolk Record Office" Cook Lowestoft Will
Several William Cook Lowestoft returns.
https://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/cook-william-the-elder-fisherman-of-lowestoft-suffolk
Confirms 1855 and gives 542.
With the drop down list you can also do a CTR F search or a find in page search in the list returned.
1855 that number 542 is recorded on the top right of the r/h page.
However, due to several Register names with numbers (Will numbers from the Norfolk Record Office Cat.), being on the same film, the same number on a Will may appear more than once on the same film.
Some Probate years start part of the way through a film too.