John Martin 1894 Kent

[Paula]

I came across an article published about 20 years ago on the Kent FHS website. It mentioned my partners GGG grandfather, John Martin writing a will. and that it contained siblings/childrens/spouses names. The article did not give any further info other than it was proven in 1894. Does proven mean "read" ? The 1891 census has John at Harrow Cottages, Church Rd, Bexley, Kent so we're presumming Bexley was his place of death. Does anyone know where we could go from here. Any help most welcome!

[ChrisKelly]

Proving a will means convincing a probate judge (in court or whatever) that the will is indeed that of the deceased person, which should be a simple formality, ie showing that it was signed by the deceased and witnessed. So, somewhere there should be a copy. I managed to track down two wills in my family held in the National Archives.

[Geoffers]

The annual index (calendar) to probate records (wills and Letters of Administration - admons) since 1858 has been copied onto microfilm and can be seen at many county record offices/local studies libraries. It is very easy to use with entries indexed alphabetically by surname then forename.

Entries in the calendar contain enough informaion to identify individuals and usually include a name, date and place of death, sometimes a home address if different from place of death, when and where probate or admon was granted, value of estate. To whom probate/admon was granted and often their relationship to the deceased, sometimes an occupation, sometimes an address.

Note down the full entry details as they are written and the year; and you can apply for a copy of the will - see HM Court Service web-site, here (http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/civil/probate/index.htm)

[Peter Goodey]

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm

You can either go in person to First Avenue House (or get someone to go on your behalf) or you can send an application to the York address.

Assuming that 1894 is right (don't you have his death certificate?) and that there really was a will, I don't see any advantage in searching out the calendar beforehand (the search fee includes the cost of the will).