The Church controlled the granting of probate and administrations until 1858. Some of these records are indexed and some are on line. This complicated system of Archdeacon’s, Bishop’s and Archbishop’s courts was then replaced by a civil system based at the Probate Registry in London.
The County Record Offices have copies of many pre 1858 locally administered records. These can provide a valuable source of information about your ancestors and their families.
The Assize
Courts handled major crime (such as those leading to transportation overseas) and were nationally administered, although they were
held on “circuits” around the country. These records are only available at the national archives in London.
The Quarter Session
and local courts handled lesser crimes and their records are available at the County Record Offices. Court records can often be disappointing
for the family historian as they concentrate on the crime rather than the criminal (or innocent party!). Local newspapers often carry
a more interesting account of the case and the defendant.
Coroners' Records
If your ancestor was injured or killed in a mining accident, ran a small business or built one of the ships on the Tyne, we may be able to find out more about them and their working life.
Many of the County Record Offices have records relating to commerce and business, with good collections
covering the major industries of the area such as shipbuilding and mining. Whilst these tend to focus on the industry rather than
the employees, they can be of great interest to family historians.