Shipping Scottish Census Scottish Cert. Index UK Prob. Pedigree Pre 1855 marr. Join now . About the UK Probates index When someone dies leaving a will, the executor appointed under the will applies to court for a grant of probate, which authorises him or her to deal with the estate.
Probates are of interest to genealogists because wills are found with the probate records.
Before 1858, probates and letters of administration were granted by the ecclesiastical courts and some manorial courts. On 1 January 1858 a centralised probate system for England and Wales came into operation, and a Principal Probate Registry was established at Somerset House, London. An index of grants of probate and letters of administration was produced for each year. There is no printout service for this index. Once you receive your reply, you will have all the information you need to request a copy of the will or letters of administration through the NZSG UK Probates Purchasing Service.