A Brief Guide to the Church Courts
Smaller Courts : prior to the 11th January 1858 a testator whose estate lay specifically within the area of an archdeaconry would probably have his/her Will proved in the Archdeacon's Court. If, however it was outside, but within the Bishop's diocese it might be proved in the Consistory Court or Commissary Court; these Wills can be found in County Archives where an Archdeaconry or Consistory Court exists. If you suspect that your ancestor who died in the 19th century left a Will, but do not know where why not commission a search in the Estate Duty Indexes?
Larger Courts: sometimes an individual's estate was spread over one or more diocese, in which case his/her Will would be proved in either of the two Prerogative Courts of Canterbury (PCC) or York (PCY).
    For an excellent guide to the boundaries of the Archdeaconries etc. consult The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers."