Guernsey, Wills and Probate

What can these records tell me?

From these records, you will likely find information including -

• First name
• Last name
• Day
• Month
• Year
• Occupation
• Residence

We have transcribed

• Probate - Wills
• Wills of Realty & Personalty

We have made available as a browse - Ecclesiastical Court Wills 1663-1704

Where available, we always recommend viewing the record as you will find more details that will help you build a picture of your ancestors.

Discover more about these records

Inheritance Laws in Guernsey – and Wills of Realty

Historically, the Norman law of succession limited the freedom of the deceased to decide the destination of his or her real estate. Succession was primarily patrilinear – through the male line. So sons were given preference over daughters, and where someone died without children, heirs through his male relatives were preferred over female lines.

Guernsey also applied the rule of primogeniture – the eldest son being recognised as the principal heir, although he was obliged to share some of the estate with his brothers. This system was designed to ensure that landed estates remained largely intact.

Estates were divided into meubles and immeubles (literally ‘moveables’ and ‘immovables’). Immeubles were primarily land and buildings, as well as rentes and hypothèques (essentially loans secured by land, akin to modern mortgages).

Under these circumstances, it was not possible to vary inheritance of propert

Partnership

In partnership with Bailiwick of Guernsey Digitisation Partnership, this landmark digitisation project brings millions of searchable records online, only at Findmypast.