wills? any list

[DONNAMCKENZIE]

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF A RELATIVE LEFT A WILL OR NOT .Are there any list online for such things?


He died in August 1929 in SHOREDITCH ,LONDON. He had his own busines and was a master cabinet maker. Judging by his photo he was doing OK for himself. He was the father of 5 of my gran's children ,but never married her as he was already married to someone else and had a daughter. I presume anything he had would have gone to them. Gran was left high and dry after his death and had to go in the workhouse.


Any ideas where to find out if he left a will?

Thankyou for your help

[Geoffers]

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF A RELATIVE LEFT A WILL OR NOT .Are there any list online for such things?
He died in August 1929 in SHOREDITCH ,LONDON.

The probate calendar has been copied onto microfilm and can be seen at many county record offices. The coverage of individual record offices varies, so it is worth giving them a call first to make sure that your nearest one has the calendar at least up as far as WW2.

Searching it is easy and entries in the calendar contain sufficient detail to be able to identify individuals. If an entry refers to probate being granted, then it is worth applying for a copy of the will from The Probate Registry (see Finbar's link, above) - note down all the details in the entry and also the year.

If the entry says that admon was granted (letters of administration), then you are unlikely to get more detail than appears in the calendar, so just note down all the information it contains.

[oxon57]

any list online for such things?

No, unfortunately not, so follow the advice above.

There were plans to have an online index some years ago, but things seem to have died a quiet death. Doubtless, like the ill-fated GRO index project, titled "DOVE" (Digitisation Of Vital Events), a different bird was really involved - "MAGPIE" (Many A Government Promise Is Empty).

[Retlaw]

Is it possible to go some where and see a copy of a will for some one who ied say 10 years ago, or a month ago.

Thanks.
Retlaw.

[Jan1954]

At the end of each year since 1858, the Principal Probate Registry has compiled an index, arranged alphabetically, for all the wills and letters of administration received by them in that year.

Being local(ish) to London, I tend to go to the Principal Probate Registry at First Avenue House in Holborn to check the wills. However, as Geoffers has said above, the calendar can be seen at many county records offices. How soon after the index is published they receive a copy, I am afraid I do not know. However, it might be worth giving your local CRO a ring to check.

In order to see a will, you need to obtain a copy. At the PPR the current cost is £5 and may be ordered by post, if a visit is not possible.

[DONNAMCKENZIE]

Well theres alot there to be going on with. I will certainly take this info further.

Thankyou all for your input. Your advice is very much appreciated.

Thankyou again

Donna