Genealogy Chat

I was looking for references for Wills of my Sussex ancestors on the Ancestry website. I found several Administrations in the Consistory Court of the Bishop of Chichester which (according to Ancestry) are now preserved in the Probate Registry at Winchester. I emailed Winchester Probate Registry and have just received a reply informing me that their records only date from 1858. It was suggested that I try the Family Records website for Administrations/Wills prior to 1858 but this does not seem to hold any answers. Does anyone know how I might obtain copies of these Administrations? Debbie

Good old google... This doesn't actually mention administrations, just wills, so if I were you I would phone them and ask if they have admons too. West Sussex Record Office County Hall Chichester West Sussex PO19 1RN Tel : 01243 753600 Diocesan Records As the Diocesan Record Office we hold the official records of the Bishops of Chichester; the Dean and Chapter of Chichester and the property they owned. The records include the original parish registers of baptisms, marriages and burials and the bishops transcripts from every parish in both West and East Sussex. Also wills for the Archdeaconry of Chichester and the peculiar jurisdictions together with copies of wills for the Archdeaconary of Lewes up to 1858. Later wills for Chichester District Probate Registry (which covered most of West Sussex) up to 1928 are also held in the Record Office. Refer to 'Family History' ). Kate.