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Ed McKie
12-11-2005, 03:59 AM
a little while ago, following on from a very amusing description of the life and times of the chap who copied those wills into a register, someone complained about only getting that register copy instead of the will proper. I got the impression that the actual wills were obtainable, but on looking at the NA site, I cant see how it is done.

Can anyone oblige ? Have searched the forums but cant find the previous threads.

Cheers..Ed
Peter Goodey
12-11-2005, 09:25 AM
There are wills and there are wills. Since you mention the National Archives, I assume you mean the PCC wills (which only represents a proportion of pre-1858 wills).

The ones online are the probated copies in PROB 11.

You may like to check out PROB 10 in the National Archives catalogue and perhaps read the research guide at http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=168

Hope this helps.
Ed McKie
14-11-2005, 03:51 AM
Peter

Yes it was the pcc wills I had in mind. Have purchased a couple and only got the copies as it were. There is no indication on the online section as to wether the originals are available in prob 10. and in case prob 10 is only available by a personal visit as far as I can make out, and no mention of an index either.

Cheers..Ed
Peter Goodey
14-11-2005, 09:24 AM
You can do it remotely but the service isn't free. Give them all the details - especially full name and probate date and ask for an estimate.


From TNA Home Page, go to Shop Online and Order Copies of Documents.
martync
15-11-2005, 12:34 PM
You can do it remotely but the service isn't free. Give them all the details - especially full name and probate date and ask for an estimate.


From TNA Home Page, go to Shop Online and Order Copies of Documents.

It works well if you find a document you want. I used this and have downloaded a will from 1847, it's very clearly and neat but I must admit that I am finding the style of the writing very hard work. There are 8 pages and I think it will take quite some time to work out the majority of it.
Peter Goodey
15-11-2005, 01:25 PM
Unfortunately in Ed's case it has to be speculative. He knows, presumably, that the registered copy is in PROB 11 but that's no guarantee that the original is in PROB 10 because there's no online index. Presumably he would lose his deposit if the document doen't exist. Do you know if this is so?