Court of the Bishop of Peterborough (Episcopal Consistory)

Huntingdonshire Probate Records

To read a general explanation of probates in England, click here.

Jurisdiction
Peterborough was founded in 1541. From 1541 to about 1598, where there appears to have been a re-organization of the Diocese of Peterborough, wills from all deaeries were proved either at Northampton in the archdeacon's court or the consistory of Peterborough. After 1598 the wills from the four Eastern deaneries of Oundle, Weldon, Peterborough and Rutland were proved at Peterborough.

Technically the courts of the Bishop of Peterborough and the Archdeacon of Northampton did not have superior jurisdiction over these courts, but as the larger courts of original jurisdiction they will often contain probate records of persons who resided in the other jurisdictions.

Records
Films can be view in the library or in a family history center.