Ballard Genealogy & Heraldry

For researchers there can often be no better source of primary evidence than a will or other form of testamentary record. In England and Wales probate jurisdiction changed in 1858 and became a centralised system handled by the Principal Registry of the Family Division. Prior to that date probate was handled by ecclesiastical courts with jurisdiction in archdeaconries, dioceses of bishops (consistory courts) and provinces of the archbishops of Canterbury and York (these are the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and the Prerogative Court of York which are often abbreviated to PCC & PCY respectively). In addition there were also areas exempt from archdiaconal and episcopal jurisdiction which were known as "peculiars".

My collection of wills is now organised into sections according to groups of counties.