Wills
- The proving of wills was an ecclesiastical responsibility until 10th January 1858 when it became a civil responsibility.
- Most pre 1858 Yorkshire wills are at the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research, the chief exception being those from the Archdeaconry of Richmond (the western half of North Riding and few parishes in the West Riding) formerly in the Diocese of Chester, which are at West Yorkshire Archive Service: Leeds, Sheepscar Library, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 3AP.
- Indexes of wills from 1389 to 1688 at the Borthwick Institute have been printed in the Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series, Vols. 4, 6, 11, 14, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35, 49, 60, 68 and 89. Manuscript indexes from 1689 to 1858 are available at the Borthwick Institute.
- Wills proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury are at the Family Records Centre, Myddelton Place, Myddelton Street, Islington, London, EC1R 1UW.
Camp, A.J. - Wills and their whereabouts. 4th ed. 1974. (H 929.3)
Gibson, J.S.W. - Probate jurisdictions : where to look for wills. 4th ed. 1994. (H 929.341)
Gibson, J.S.W. - Wills and where to find them. 1974. (H 929.3)
Smith, D.M. - A guide to the archive collections in the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research. 1973. (B 283).
Camp, A.J. - An index to the wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1750-1800. 6 vols. (H 929.342)
- From 11th January 1858 wills were proved at the appropriate District Probate Registry or at the Principal Probate Registry in London which also received copies of all wills proved locally. The District Probate Registry for the West Riding was at Wakefield until c1968 when it moved to Leeds.
- Annual indexes to post 1858 wills of England and Wales are published, and those for 1858-1943 are now at the West Yorkshire Archive Service : Headquarters, Wakefield. Later indexes can be consulted at the Probate Registry, Leeds.
- Copies of wills can be purchased from:
Principal Registry of the Family Division, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LP. (Personal visit or by post if date known). - York Probate Sub-Registry, Duncombe Place, York, Y)1 2EA. (1858-1945. By post only).
- Probate Registry, Coronet House, Queens Street, Leeds. (1946 onwards. Personal visit or by post only).
