How to match a UK GRO death record with a probate record ?

[kob3203]

Having very little free cash available I have to be very careful spending any on certificates. Since GRO death records are relatively expensive (£11), usually contain little useful information (for me anyway), and are often (for me) the wrong person, I've started going for the probate records instead.

They're cheaper (£1.50), also contain little useful information (for me anyway), but up till now I've always got the correct one - the (free) probate record index information for the ones I've obtained contained sufficient information for me to be certain it was the right person; an address and/or the name of a family member or two.

I've done this successfully a few times.

However, I've now been pointed at a likely GRO index death record for a great uncle about whom we know next to nothing except his birth date (3 Jun 1904) and that he likely left Ireland and moved to England:

Deaths, 1981, Q2, James Corbett, b.3 June 1904, Bexley, v11, p395

Following my previously successful approach I went to https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/ , entered his name and year of death, and got one document page returned. I found one James Corbett on it - but his address is in Peterborough and he died 9 July 1981 which doesn't match the quarter from the GRO BMD. So that's clearly not the same person.

I've tried the following few years as suggested on the probate site, from 1982 to 1986, but none of those have our man.

Does anybody have any ideas ?

[Jebber]

You may not have spread your search wide enough, four years may not be sufficient.

It is possible he didn’t leave a will, or if he did, his estate was too small to warrant the need for probate. If he was married and owned a property and or money jointly with his wife, again there would be no need for probate.

[ciderdrinker]

Good Morning
I see your problem but I don't think he left a Will.
There is a cremation at Greenwich 9th June 1981
Death 31.5.1981
It's on Deceased online and would cost £2.20.
If he was married his spouse may have had a joint account etc and there would be no need for probate.
Although in 1939 he was a single builders labourer living in Shooters Hill  Greenwich .It looks like he was a lodger with and Edith and William J Manley.

Ciderdrinker

[BumbleB]

Not sure that I understand your problem:

James Corbett - born 3 June 1904 - died second quarter 1981 = April/May or June - Bexley RD

James Corbett - born 3 December 1895 - died third quarter 1981 = July/August or September - Peterborough RD

So the probate register verifies the James Corbett born 3 December 1895.  And it would appear to say that James Corbett born 1904 did not leave a will.

[kob3203]

Two of the probate records I've previously obtained were for people who didn't make a will - they're listed as Administration rather than Probate.

I'm assuming that even if he didn't make a will there'd be an Administration entry for him in the probate register.

Am I wrong ?

[Jebber]

Administration would only be needed if there was a reasonable sum of money or property involved.

My mother-in-law died intestate in 2010, I dealt with her affairs and had no need to apply for Administration as her estate was very small.

[kob3203]

Just googling administration v probate. Screenshot of one result. Note the "always"

[Jebber]

There would have to be enough in the estate to cover the cost of administration.

[kob3203]

Administration would only be needed if there was a reasonable sum of money or property involved.

My mother-in-law died intestate in 2010, I dealt with her affairs and had no need to apply for Administration as her estate was very small.

Thanks (I hadn't read your post when I posted that screenshot).

I know nothing about the process so I've been piecing it together from the internet... and we all know how reliable that is !  I guess that bit I posted was a solicitor drumming up business from those who don't know better

A reminder perhaps not to believe everything you find on google ?