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 Help & ResourcesHelp with collectionsNational Wills Index collectionsAbout BRS Probate CollectionMoreWills & Administrations at Lichfield & Coventry 1516-1652 British Record Society volume 7 Published December 1892 Search this Collection
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About the index
Between 1541 and 1836 the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry was extensive, covering the entire counties of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, north Shropshire and north Warwickshire. The bishop of Lichfield and Coventry had general jurisdiction over probate within this area, which was exercised through the Lichfield Consistory Court. This volume is an index to all wills and other testamentary documents recorded at Lichfield and Coventry 1516-1652.
In detail the material covered by the present volume covers wills and administrations 1516-1652 registered in the consistory court of Lichfield plus extant testamentary documents in the various 'peculiar' courts whose records were deposited at Lichfield. Please note that there are few documents found in the peculiars prior to 1652 so those up to 1790 for the following have also been included. All in the county of Warwick:-
Locating the original documents
Where are the originals held?
The original wills are held at Lichfield Record Office www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/contact/LichfieldRecordOffice/home.aspx To obtain a copy of the original will or administration, download a copyright / order form from www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/contact/LichfieldRecordOffice/copying/home.aspx. Complete this and post with the remittance for the cost of the will etc to Lichfield Record Office. A copy of Lichfield Record Office’s Fees and Charges is also available on line. Currently there is a standard charge irrespective of the number of pages. Alternatively you can visit Lichfield Record Office personally, details of opening hours etc can be found on their website. Additionally FamilySearch www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog has filmed the majority of these probate documents, a microfilm copy of which can be ordered and viewed via your local FamilySearch Family History Center. www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp What information from the document do I need to locate the original?
Understanding the index
Which court or courts are included?
Wills and other testamentary documents registered between 1516 and 1652 in the Consistory Court of Lichfield, plus the peculiar courts. Which diocese is involved? The consistory court of Lichfield and associated peculiars were as in the Diocese of Lichfield. What does the index include? The names of the testator / testatrix plus place of abode appearing in the wills and administrations are included in the index. The records of the Lichfield Consistory Court, previous to 1652, are divided into five series by date. Within these series the entries are grouped under the most common spelling for the surname alphabetically by year. Dates of pre 1752 wills and admons etc are given in 'Old Style' or Julian Calendar. The folio number identifies the group of pages, anywhere from 2 to 16, within which the will's first page appears. Notes and Abbreviations used in the index † Those wills etc marked thus are now missing
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