The Society of Genealogists

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Index 1750-1800

Wills have been proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury since 1383 and are now preserved in The National Archives, London. The index, created by the Society of Genealogists, covers wills proved in the period 1750 to 1800 (inclusive). Via this index you can order copies of the wills from this period from the Society of Genealogists.

The present index is approximately 85% complete, and includes about 208,000 entries.

Each index record has the first name and last name of the testator, the place (usually county) where they resided and the month and year when probate was granted. Below is a sample Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills Index record - click on the image to enlarge it:

Where the place of residence was not England, the country may be given (most commonly Scotland or Ireland), or 'Foreign Parts' - which may be any place outside the British Isles.