More on England and Wales Probate

The following are observations from examining the newly released probate calendars for England and Wales, 1858-1966, from Ancestry.

• The entries for probates in 1903 and 1941 are included twice.
• About three quarters of probates occur in the year of death.
• Over half of probates are granted within three months of death.
• There are a few percent more probates processed in a year than deaths mentioned as having occurred in that year, the result of having to refile. 
• The percent of deaths leading to probate increased from 7% in 1870, to 18% in 1920, to 43% in 1950.