How do I find out whether someone has made a will?

[Tinker]

Apologies if this question has been asked previously. I have never had occasion to search for a will before, so have no idea where to start, or what to do. I'm wondering whether my 3xg-grandfather, Charles Newton, who died in 1915, would have left a will, as he and one of his sons had a cork merchant's business, which survived until the early 20th century. I have no idea whether his son continued in the business after his death, or if the business was wound up at that point, which is where the will comes in. I'm hoping that, if there is one, it will fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge.

[Peter Goodey]

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

There are various copies of the calendars around. It might be worth asking your county library service and county record office.

[Geoffers]

Using the film copy of the calendar of probate and admon (letters of administration) is really easy and enough detail is included to identify individuals. Do remember that you may have to search for a few years after the death to find a reference - but do give it a go.

[Tinker]

Thanks to both of you! Our main library has a well-stocked Local Studies section, so they should have the calendars you mention. I take it that the calendars will cover the whole country, not just the local county? (My Newtons were Londoners, and I'm in Wiltshire.)

[Geoffers]

Thanks to both of you! Our main library has a well-stocked Local Studies section, so they should have the calendars you mention. I take it that the calendars will cover the whole country, not just the local county? (My Newtons were Londoners, and I'm in Wiltshire.)

The system of proving wills changed in the mid-19th century. Until 1857 it was fragmented amongst ecclesiastical courts. After 1858 there was a unified system for the country which also includes details of some people who died abroad but held estate here - it's a useful way of tracing family members who 'disappeared'.

The calendars are copied onto microfilm, arranged alphabetically by surname and then forename. Each entry should include when and where someone died - where they lived if different from place of death, often their occupation is recorded. The value of estate, when and where probate/admon was granted and to whom. The person to whom probate/admon was granted - their details often include an occupation and/or relationship to the deceased and/or where they lived (e.g. you may find an entry reads that probate was granted to AB, of Middle Street, Norwich, baker, brother and CD, of Broad Street, Norwich, widow, executors).

[Tinker]

Thank you Geoffers! A trip to my library will be forthcoming!

[Geoffers]

I should have mentioned that it's often worth a phone call first to see if you have to book a microfilm reader.

[Tinker]

You're right. As a general rule, we're supposed to, but in the past when I've arrived just as the library is opening, and needed to look up Bishop's Transcripts etc, they've allowed me to use a reader without any problems.

[Dargie]

Please excuse me for highjacking this thread but I am a frustrated "wills newbie"!
I am wondering if someone could tell me how these calendars are accessed if I cannot pop into a county office and use the reader!
I am Down Under and do not know how to find out if any wills exist which belonged to any of my relatives.
Is there any way to access these details on line? I was able to find the will of my great grandfather (which was very helpful and informative)through the National Achives site.Have no idea why that happened! No luck with any other names however!
:(
Cheers
Marj.

[caliope]

Hi Dargie,

I also am a newbie, so I can only tell you my experience finding a will from out of the country. I was browsing through the death registers on FindMyPast and managed to find an entry listed for my gg grandfather. Using his name, address and date of death listed on the register, I wrote to the Her Majesty's Courts Service - York Probate-Sub Registry. After paying a nominal fee, I received the will in the mail. Wills are my favourite genealogical documentation as they tell you so much about family relationships and fortunes!

[Dargie]

Many thanks Caliope.
That sounds like a very good way to go about it.
It is always good to hear of a method that works for someone else.
Yes, I found out so much after receiving my great grandfathers will. His direction that my great grandmother use the profits of the beerhouse, which he was leaving to her, to educate his children was most significant. My grandfather subsequently became an engineer and broke away from the agricultural labourer tradition. I always had wondered how that had happened. I owe a lot to my great grandfather.|bowdown|
thanks again.
Marj.

[v.wells]

Hi Dargie,

I also am a newbie, so I can only tell you my experience finding a will from out of the country. I was browsing through the death registers on FindMyPast and managed to find an entry listed for my gg grandfather. Using his name, address and date of death listed on the register, I wrote to the Her Majesty's Courts Service - York Probate-Sub Registry. After paying a nominal fee, I received the will in the mail. Wills are my favourite genealogical documentation as they tell you so much about family relationships and fortunes!

That was a good question Dargie:) I have also been wondering how to access these and I'm west of the pond. I will have to try FMP and see what happens.

[caliope]

FMP is a great resource for the Index to the Death Duty Registers but a word of warning.
From what I understand, some of the wills shown in these registers may no longer exist (especially those in Somerset). The register is still valuable because it usually gives the date of death (no need then for expensive death certs), the writer's address at the time the will was written and the executor's name.

It can also be a bit time consuming searching through the registers but, for me, well worth it! (I found another great great grandfather and his brother today).

[Geoffers]

I have also been wondering how to access these and I'm west of the pond.

I understand that the calendar of probate and admon may be viewed at mormon church (LDS) records. These are easy to use and provide a lot of information in their own right. They date back to 1858 when ecclesiastical courts ceased dealing with probate.

[sweep627]

I am also a newbie and would love if someone could help me out I am in Canada and not able to access the Library so easily as you, and I am also now looking for wills on my great grandparents and if anyone is able to help let me know.

Thanks Sweep627

[fogmog]

Hi Dargie
Have just read your reply made last year, so hope this gets to you, tell me, do you subscribe to Find My Past or use credits to scroll the death registers?
I am also new to using wills and would also like, not only to know if you can access on line, but also the quickest way to make this happen.
Thanks Fogmog
PS I'm from down under, 13,000 miles away to be precise.

[Dargie]

Hi Fogmog

I am sorry I cannot give you a lot of informaton about access to the will information here in Oz.
It might me helpful for you to read all the posts and threads under "Wills" as there is another thread there "Idiots guide to Wills" where some kind folk have given me some leads on places to look.
I was fortunate to have a kind forum member look a few wills up for me in London so that has given me enough to keep me busy for a while.
Sorry I cannot be more help. However as I mentioned -read all the threads in this forum and I am sure you will get some light on the subject.
I have not used FindmyPast so do not have experience in that area.
Good Luck, hopefully someone else will read this and come up with something for you.
Working from Down Under certainly presents some obstacles and a lot of travelling! I do not have reliable LDS centres here and would have to travel 200 km to Melbourne but if you do I am sure they can help you. I have not found a way to access all information online.
regards
Marj.

[fogmog]

Thanks Dargie, Guess I'll keep on digging and reading. Wouldn't it be great if you could have a pet research in every important town or village.
Fogmog

[v.wells]

Hi Dargie
Have just read your reply made last year, so hope this gets to you, tell me, do you subscribe to Find My Past or use credits to scroll the death registers?
I am also new to using wills and would also like, not only to know if you can access on line, but also the quickest way to make this happen.
Thanks Fogmog
PS I'm from down under, 13,000 miles away to be precise.


You can purchase credits 50 at a time for £9.95 or purchase a sub. I think it is 5 credits to vew the Will and Death Duty registers.

[Cassandra]

I have purchased several Copy Wills from various Records Offices these come under Crown Copyright and are for the use only of the person who purchased tham and they cannot be passed to anyone else or copied for anyone else.

At the Cheshire Records Office you are sent a form which you sign to say that you will abide by these copyright rules.

If the Wills you are searching for are old, then perhaps the Records Offices will hold copies of them which you can purchase as I did.

Both Chester and Preston Records Office are most helpful in this respect.