Idiots guide to wills

[JacquiA]

I am just about to dip my toe into the world of wills! I have been reading with interest a lot of the posts and most people seem to have a small amount of knowledge before they start. As for me...I have none!
Basically I suspect my G Grandparents had a bit of dosh. They have a very large burial plot in Eccles Cemetry and a lovely headstone, the plot holds 7 family members, I have seen it and its a large plot. I am guessing it would have cost a bit.
Their names are William Rimmer died 1908 in Eccles, Nr Manchester and Sarah Rimmer died in Eccles in 1927. Sarah we think, according to the Trade directories was a 'Fried fish dealer' or 'Chippy' owner to us commoners.
Please can someone advise me..and please be gentle.

Jacqui

[Geoffers]

To keep things simple - From 1858 onwards there is an annual index to wills. This has been copied onto microfilm and can be seen at most local history libraries/record centres. It is really easy to use.

There is an index per year and names are arranged alphabetically by surname and then forename.

In the index you should find sufficient detail to identify if someone is the person for whom you are looking.

Typically the index includes, name, when and where died, sometimes an address if different to place of death, sometimes an occupation. Value of estate, when and where probate or administration was granted and to whom (this includes name, sometiems and address, a relationship and an occupation).

If there was a dispute about a will (it happens, people argue over money), then it may have taken a few years to sort out. So it is often worth searching for sometime after a known death to locate a will.

Applying for a copy of a will is through the court service who have a web-site (http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/civil/probate/index.htm) - on this page, look across to the right of the screen and click on 'forms and leaflets'.

Does that help at all? Is there anything I can explain more clearly to help?

[Jax49]

Geoffers


Thank you so much for the reply. Even I could understand that!!
It was the starting point that I was particularly confused about. I will set off on the trail and see what happens.

Thanks again

Jacqui

[Dargie]

I have just received the Will of my great grandfather (dated 1877)and the later Release details signed by my grandfather and his two siblings. However this has lead me on to a further desire for information!
My great grandmother remarried so therefore it became more complicated. She also left a will which I would like to see but.... I have no idea how to find it.
I have read the comments above but how can I apply the advice to the fact that I live in Australia and cannot pop into a record office?
Is there any index on line or must I employ someone to do a search?
Apologies for my obvious "Will Newbie" |dunce2|status and also for repeating a question that must have been asked many times.
Sorry also that I did ask the same question in another thread which I "hijacked" but as yet it appears to have disappeared.
It appears to me that wills are an extremely important avenue of information and I am frustrated knowing they are out there but I cannot seem to find out where!
Many thanks
Marj.

[yorkshirecath]

Can i ask a question. If someone died in the US who emigrated there in 1843 from the UK left a will, is there a way to find out?
Thanks

[Geoffers]

My great grandmother remarried.....She also left a will which I would like to see but.... I have no idea how to find it.
I have read the comments above but how can I apply the advice to the fact that I live in Australia and cannot pop into a record office?

If you have a mormon church (LDS) record centre somewhere nearby, you will be able to access the probate calendar (index to wills) there. Otherwise, in view of the close connection between the UK and Oz, you might try a your state or national archives as they may have a copy on film to assist reseachers - that last but is purely guesswork, but a 'phone call would give you the answer.

It appears to me that wills are an extremely important avenue of information and I am frustrated knowing they are out there but I cannot seem to find out where!

They are important, I have repeated this in many threads. I would estimate that in at least 3 out of 4 which I have obtained, I've found out something which has presented new and useful lines of research.

Note that only the calendar (index) is available on film - you still have to apply and pay for a copy from the Probate Service.

I hope that makes sense, but if not, please ask again.

[Geoffers]

Can i ask a question. If someone died in the US who emigrated there in 1843 from the UK left a will, is there a way to find out?

If someone emigrated and retained, remained a British national and retained some form of estate in the UK, you may still find a will in the British Probate Calendar.

If the person left a will in America, you are going to have more problems and I think you will need to enquire in the state where they lived - as a first step, you might try the USGENWEB (their version of GENUKI), some of the linked sites contain some probate indexes.

[Dargie]

Thank you very much, Geoffers ,for that information.
Unfortunately I have not been able to find a fully operable LDS centre anywhere near where I live but I am sure I will be able to work something out if I make a trip to Melbourne.
I will also try the State Archive office as you suggested.
I really appreciate this advice as I have been puzzled for some time and now look forward to purchasing copies of some wills which hopefully contain more valuable family information!
Cheers
Marj.

[Geoffers]

If you get absolutely stuck, let me know the details by pm - once in a blue moon I take a bucketful of painkillers and make the journey into Oxford where the probate calendar is available on film.

[Dargie]

That is very kind of you Geoffers. I really appreciate your help.
I will do everything I can this end and see what I come up with.
I will let you know how I get on!
Thanks again.
Marj.

[Peter Goodey]

Jacqui

According to Familia, Manchester Archives and Local Studies have a copy of the National Probate Indexes 1858-1943 on microfiche.

That should simplify matters for you.

[JacquiA]

Thanks Peter for that I have some holidays coming up so a trip into Manchester may be in order.

Jacqui

[Ed McKie]

Dargie

Have you asked the Genealogical Society of Victoria if they have the index ? I know that the GS of Queensland have one- and folk are richer down in Melbourne :-)

Cheers..Ed

[Dargie]

Dargie

and folk are richer down in Melbourne :-)



Oh is that right... well I am the country bumpkin type actually! And it would appear that nearly all my Suffolk ancestors were ag labourers! Got the wrong girl!

Anyway great suggestion I will certainly give them a call. Last time I called them a little ice slipped down the line but I am sure if I become a member all will be resolved.

By the way |birthday|you still have two hours and two minutes to celebrate. Go for it!!

Cheers and thanks
Marj.

[Ed McKie]

Last time I called them a little ice slipped down the line but I am sure if I become a member all will be resolved.
Marj.

Rumour up here in Queensland is that Melbourne has several seasons per day- perhaps you chose the wrong time to ring- or perhaps even the wrong day.

Cheers..Ed

[Dargie]

Rumour up here in Queensland is that Melbourne has several seasons per day


Best not believe all the rumours you hear about Victoria.|scold|

Of course I would never believe that the reason you guys have a beer called XXXX up there in Queensland is because you are all illiterate!

:D
Cheers
Marj.

[Ken Boyce]

Of course you must be referring to Aussie Victoria and not our Canadian Victoria

Hm --on the other hand the more I think about it the more I'm not so sure because it is where our Provincial politicians hang out playing their little games during the winter at us taxpayers’ expense

[Fidgetsmum]

Of course, I may have missed something here, but you can search for and order copies of British Wills from the National Archives via their website

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp

I've so far obtained 4 at different times and chose to have them sent electronically. Of course they're not free, (although the searching you do, is) so you need to enter card payment details, but on each occasion in less than a week, I've received a copy of the will in PDF form.

[suedent]

Of course, I may have missed something here, but you can search for and order copies of British Wills from the National Archives via their website

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp

I've so far obtained 4 at different times and chose to have them sent electronically. Of course they're not free, (although the searching you do, is) so you need to enter card payment details, but on each occasion in less than a week, I've received a copy of the will in PDF form.

Fidgetsmum, whilst a great resource, the National Archives index is only a fraction of the Wills that exist, in that it only covers those from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury & only goes up to 1858. There were Courts held by all the Diocese in England and although some were lost in WW2 (Exeter springs to mind) even if the original records no longer exist there are often transcripts available.

The situation post-1858 is different in that there is a national index & the records are held by a goverment body rather than the Church of England/Record Offices.

[bwarnerok]

Can i ask a question. If someone died in the US who emigrated there in 1843 from the UK left a will, is there a way to find out?
Thanks

US Wills will be found in County Archives as probate. Unfortunately, each county is in a separate state, and each state deals with things differently. Some are free.. some are VERY pricey.

Suggest either ROAGK or Rootsweb to zoom in on county and people that might be able to help you.
Betsy

[beachbaby]

If someone died in the US and left a will, you have to go to the state they died in, know which county (or parrish in Louisianna), and go to the probate court for that county. They should have books that you can look that up in. Unfortunately, one of the problems with the US is that each state has its own way of doing things, and that some states have practically all data on line, some have none and some (like Massachusetts) have portions. But you have to know where most specifically they died, and then contact that probate court (phone or writing). Wills have to be filed with court. Getting someone to look for it might be an issue.
Teri