wills before 1858

[rocket118]

Hello. My 3g grandad died in 1851. Where could I check to see if he had a will?
I've found it all a bit confusing on Ancestry. He died in Bethnal Green, Middlesex 1851 - Charles Coote age 57.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who replies to me

[Mutley]

I don't think Ancestry have Middlesex wills, though someone will correct me if I am wrong.

I could only see two in Documents Online, The National Archives.
Charles Coote, First Battalion Scots Fusiliers, 12 Dec 1855
Charles Coote, Gentleman of Cheshunt, Herts 27 April 1852.

[Peter Goodey]

Look out for the book "Probate Jurisdictions: Where to Look for Wills" by Gibson & Churchill.

There is no single place to look. If it wasn't proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see the National Archives website), my guess is the Commissary Court of London.

Your best bet is probably to get hold of David Wright's London Probate Index surnames A-E on CD. I think the SoG has a copy in the library if you don't want to buy.

The index covers:

The Royal Peculiar of St Katherine by the Tower: entries 1750-1772, and one in
1818. Records held at the Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2P 2EJ.

The Royal Peculiar of the Commissary Court of the Dean and Chapter of
Westminster: entries 1750-1780s, with a few later to 1829. Records held at
the City of Westminster Archives, 10 St Anne’s St, London SW1P 2XR.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Peculiar of the Deanery of Croydon: most entries relate to Kent and Surrey, but those for residents of Harrow with Pinner and Hayes with Norwood have been extracted, 1750-1780s with a few later 1800-1832. Records held at Lambeth Palace Library, London SE1 7JU.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Peculiar of the Deanery of the Arches:
entries 1750-1780s, and a few later to 1806. Records at Lambeth Palace Library.

The Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral: entries
1750-1837. Records at the Guildhall Library.

The Archdeaconry Court of Middlesex: entries 1750-1785, with a few later
to 1810. Records held at the London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton
Road, London EC1R OHB.

The Archdeaconry Court of London: entries 1750-1785, with a few later to
1807. Records held at The Guildhall Library.

The Consistory Court of London: entries 1750-1858. Records at the London
Metropolitan Archives.

The Commissary Court of London: entries1750-1858. Records at the
Guildhall Library.

[rocket118]

Thanks Peter. What's the SoG?

[Vance Mead]

The London Metropolitan Archives have an index the Consistory Court wills online:

http://217.154.230.218/NR/rdonlyres/9DF62CD4-472E-47CE-A60D-1A1DF2FEB598/0/WillsCD.pdf

Several people named Coote but not Charles.
Vance

[Peter Goodey]

The Consistory Court was superior to the Commissary Court so we're working in the right direction! :D

The SoG is the Society of Genealogists

[pipsqueak]

The London Metropolitan Archives have an index the Consistory Court wills online


I've been looking for this - can anyone supply the link to look up Wills, please? The one provided only gives names beginning with C-D.

[Peter Goodey]

I've been looking for this - can anyone supply the link to look up Wills, please? The one provided only gives names beginning with C-D.

http://217.154.230.218/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/About_LMA/Volunteers.htm

[AnnB]

I've been looking for this - can anyone supply the link to look up Wills, please? The one provided only gives names beginning with C-D.

Think you'll find it at the bottom of the page here (http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/About_LMA/Volunteers.htm) :)

Brst wishes
Ann

[pipsqueak]

Thank you! :)