The importance of testamentary records
Access to testamentary records is crucial for researchers, genealogists, and legal professionals because they provide detailed insights into family histories, property ownership and the execution of a deceased person’s final wishes.
Types of testamentary records
The Probate Office, an office of the High Court, is responsible for the administration of testamentary records. The two main types of testamentary records are wills and letters of administration.
Wills
When a person makes a will they set out their wishes as to how their property and effects are to be divided and disposed. They also nominate individuals known as executors to carry out their wishes. An executor may apply to the Probate Office and a grant of probate will be issued to enable them to administer the estate of the deceased.
Letters and grants of administration
If a person dies without making a valid will, this is known as dying intestate. When a person dies intestate, the next of kin may apply to the Probate Office for letters of administration to manage the deceased’s property. Upon approval, a grant of administration is issued.
Historical context of testamentary records
Prior to 1857, the Church of Ireland managed testamentary jurisdiction. The Probate Act of 1857 transferred this power to the Principal Registry in Dublin and 11 District Registries.
These were: Armagh, Ballina, Belfast, Cavan, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Londonderry, Mullingar, Tuam and Waterford.
In 1967, the Probate Office replaced the Principal Registry and the number of district registries increased to 14.
These are: Castlebar, Cavan, Clonmel, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Kilkenny, Lifford, Limerick, Mullingar, Sligo, Tralee, Waterford and Wexford.
How to access wills and administrations
The calendars of wills and administrations act as finding aids for accessing wills and grants from 1858 to 1982. They are available in our Reading Room and are also searchable in our online catalogue for the years 1858-1920 and 1923-1982.
Availability of older records
Under the Public Record Office Act, 1967, records are transferred to the Public Record Office after 20 years. Unfortunately, a fire in 1922 destroyed many original wills and administrations. As a result, almost all original wills and administrations of the Principal Registry up to 1904 and the District Registries up to 1900 were lost.
Surviving copies
Some copies survive in Principal Registry Will Books and District Registry Will Books, with microfilm copies available for certain districts.
Principal Registry Will Books
Some copies of wills survive for 1874, 1878, 1891 and 1896.
District Registry Will Books
Copies of wills proved in the District Probate Registries between 1858 and 1900 may be found in the District Registry Will Books.
Will books for Ballina, Cavan, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, Tuam and Waterford are available on microfilm (Testamentary, Will Books 1664-1901 (MFGS 41)
Availability of recent records
Each District Probate Office is responsible for transferring its records. As a result, the most recent year for which records have been transferred varies by county. The most recent year for which testamentary records are held is 1992.
For any records more recent than this, contact the Probate Office or relevant District Probate Registry.
Order testamentary records
Wills and other testamentary records issued before 1975 are stored at our Four Courts repository.
You can order records:
- In person, to be ready to view in the Reading Room in two working days
- By email, to be ready to view in the Reading Room in three working days