Calendars of Confirmations and Inventories

Lists giving the names and addresses of the deceased, date and place of death, whether testate or intestate, date and place of confirmation or granting of probate, names of executors or next of kin, and value of estate. 1876-1936.

Commissary courts were established after the Reformation in Scotland between 1564 and 1566 replacing the old consistorial courts. Their business mainly consisted of the registration of inventories and settlements and other executory matters. The principal commissary court was based in Edinburgh and had jurisdiction over the whole of Scotland. In 1823 all inferior commissary courts were abolished and, although the commissariat in Edinburgh continued, its powers were limited and by 1876 all commissary court functions were transferred to sheriff courts. The Calendars of Confirmations and Inventories were prepared by the Commissariat Court of Edinburgh under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1876.

Open for consultation subject to preservation requirements. Access must also conform to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act and any other appropriate legislation.

The records are on indefinite loan from the National Archives of Scotland.

Fonds level description compiled by Caroline Brown, Deputy Archivist, August 2003.

Descriptive list.

Reproduction is available subject to preservation requirements. Charges are made for this service, and copyright and other restrictions may apply.