Will Index

Extract of Orr from the Super Index of Irish Wills

Super index : a compilation of available Irish will indexes 1270-1860  compiled by Gloria Bangerter ; edited and alphabetized by surname by Jeanne Jensen & Joyce Parsons. Also on microfilm. Salt Lake City : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 2001. on 2 microfilm reels ; 35 mm. Vols. 1-3. –  VAULT BRITISH Film [ 1145963 Items 11 – 13 ] Vols. 4-8. –  VAULT BRITISH Film [ 1145964 ]

Vols. 9-11. –  VAULT BRITISH Film [ 1145965 Items 1 – 3 ]

NOTE: The information in the table below serves as a Census substitute and only indicates that a person of that name died on or around the date shown. Be warned that the location / parish details have variable spelling and occasionally are townland names that appear in different Counties eg  Carr, Corr and Curr are in Co Tyrone.

There are Parish Maps and schedules of townlands at  the Ulster Historical Foundation / Ulster Genealogical and Historical Guild site at  www.ancestryireland.com . 

Please do not raise your hopes that there is a a document with all the family details on it. Most of these entries were probably `one liners` leaving all (and very little at that) to wife and eldest son. In many cases it was simply registering a death to protect the lease or tenancy of a son (tenancies were often given for two or three life times ). Regrettably, virtually all the original Deeds and Wills of the Irish Prerogative and Consistorial Courts perished in the fire at the Royal Courts in 1922. There were some extracts made before then, such as Betham`s Index (FHL British Film  100113 Items 1-2), and the determined will hunter should look at the LDS Library Catalog under Probate for what may be available. Otherwise it is a trip to Dublin and / or Belfast, or hire a professional researcher to clutch at your straw.

Prior to 1857 wills were proved in the Consistorial Court of the Bishop or Ordinary of the diocese in which a person dwelt. But if there were effects valued at £5  in two or more dioceses the will had to be proved in the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland. The latter was the supreme court in matters where there was ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the Church Courts was abolished and transferred to the Probate Court in 1857.

Separate to the Church Courts, since 25 March 1708 there has been a Registry of Deeds in Ireland. Transcripts of wills and other devises or deeds including mortgages, conveyances, marriage settlements, rents, rights of way, and  partnerships. These are recorded in shortened version and bound into large books that may be inspected at the Registry. The original memorials are stored separately in a fire proof vault. The Registry of Deeds has a vast amount of material besides wills, that can be of assistance to the researcher. Have a look at  what  PRONI has to say at its web site under records/deeds.