England, Durham, Dean and Chapter of Durham's Allerton and Allertonshire Original Wills, Inventories and Bonds - FamilySearch Historical Records

England Durham

What is in the Collection?
This collection consists of digitized probate records from the hundred of Allertonshire in Yorkshire for the years 1666-1845.

In the period of this collection, Allertonshire was a peculiar of the Diocese of Durham. A peculiar is a locality which is administered by a diocese other than the one where it is actually located; that is, it is exempted from the jurisdiction of the ordinary or bishop in whose diocese it lies and is governed by another. In this case, the parishes of Allertonshire are administered by the Diocese of Durham, rather than by the Diocese of York.

A will conveys real (immovable) property to heirs after an individual’s death.

A bond is a written guarantee that a person will faithfully perform the tasks assigned to him by a probate court. The executor posted a testamentary bond, the administrator posted an administration bond, and the guardian of a minor child posted a bond of tuition or curation.

An inventory lists belongings and their values, including such items as household goods, tools, and personal items. Occupations are often mentioned.

Collection Content
This collection contains various types of probate records, as described above. Other types of probate records may be present, but are unlikely.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The following lists indicate potential information given in each type of record. It must be remembered that every record may not provide all the listed information, as record-keeping practices often varied by time and location.

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before beginning a search in these records, it is best to know the full name of the individual in question, as well as an approximate time range for the desired record. This information provides the quickest, most reliable path to finding the correct person. Of course, other information can be substituted as necessary.

View Images in This Collection by Visiting the Browse Page
⇒ Select Browse through images on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the Durham University Library Reference Number to go to the images. Compare the information found on the images with what is already known determine if a particular record relates to the correct person. This process may require examining multiple records before the correct person is located.

Some of the records in this collection may be written in an old script that can be challenging to read. Refer to BYU’s Script Tutorial for assistance with reading the records.

Search by Name with an Index
These records are linked to an index on Durham University's website: North East Inheritance database (pre-1858 Durham Probate Records)

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page to return a list of possible matches. Compare the individuals on the list with what is already known to find the correct family or person. This step may require examining multiple individuals before a match is located.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
 * Search the records of nearby Parishes (Brampton, Diehgton, High Worsall, Kirby Sigston, Northallerton and West Rounton).

Citing this Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

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