Calendar and added info?

[ChattieKathy]

Would there be additional names of family members in a will/probate found on the Calendar besides those mentioned as administrators? I saw a statement in the Sticky that said that all the info would be found on the Calendar. I am having great difficulty finding a way to order 2 wills from the USA. I've been told that Great Brittan no longer accepts International Money Orders, and I can't find a bank that will draft an acceptable check without ridiculously high fees. I'm wondering if the the wills are worth the money.

ChattieKathy

[Neil Wilson]

Not used the Calendar, but I had a friend who obtained the Will for me and I paid them by electronic transfer using a well known pay pal.

Wills are so useful, apart from the names, it lists what was left and to who, and the style/hand writing it was written in is interesting. It create a bit of background that a list of names can not do.

[Kerrywood]

I heartily agree with Neil about the value of wills, but ...

First you need to be sure that there is a will, and not just a grant of administration.

If the key word Probate appears in the Calendar entry, there should be a will, and it may be worth ordering.

If the Calendar entry simply says Administration, then probably not.

If you're not sure, give us the details and perhaps we can advise?

[ChattieKathy]

These are the two:

"1876 12 Feb. The Will of John Ward late of 2 Little Grove-street Lisson Grove in the County of Middlesex General who died 25 Jan 1876 at 2 Little Grove-street was proved at Principal Registry by Robert James Hammond of 82 Edgware-road in the said County General and Fancy Stationer the Sole Executor"

"1890 22 Nov. Administration (with the Will) of the Personal Estate of Mary Ann Ward late of 54 Alfred-road Harrow-road Paddington in the County of Middlesex Widow who died 7 Oct 1890 at 54 Alfred-road was granted at the Principal Registry to Emma Bragg (wife of Edward Bragg) of 19 Ordnance-road St. John's Wood in the said County and Mary Ward of 54 Alfred road Spinster the Daughters and two of the Next of Kin."

John and Mary are my gggrandparents (and my gguncle and aunt...an interesting story in itself).

[Kerrywood]

Both Calendar entries relate to wills. Mary Ann's did not go to probate, for whatever reason, but a copy of the will is available and should be attached to the grant of administration.

Personally I would want to see both these, if only because they are a direct ancestral line. They may add something or nothing to your family tree, but they will probably enhance your knowledge of the circumstances and lifestyle of this couple.

General information about ordering wills is here (http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/probate/copies-of-grants-wills.htm). As has been said above, if you can't do this yourself, you need a friend in the UK with a Paypal (or similar) account. They can place the order for you, either in person at a probate registry, or by post from Leeds using this form (http://hmctscourtfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/pa1s-eng.pdf) (.pdf). They can pay in pounds sterling. You can then transfer the money to them online through Paypal.

[ChattieKathy]

If anyone knows of anyone who is willing to help me, I'd be very grateful! I'm not aware of any friends in the UK, although I will ask around to see if anyone I know has a source. I have used PayPal before, so that is not a problem.

[Pam Downes]

Hi CK :smile5:,
The LDS have filmed wills from 1858-1925, and so if you live within distance of an LDS Family HIstory Centre you should be able to order in the relevant films.
Do read the details about how the films are arranged.
http://tinyurl.com/3vkqr7h
Then click on 'view film notes' in the top right-hand corner, and search for the film number. (You will have to search through several pages to get as far as 1890.)
I think for John Ward in 1876 you will need film number 1850867.

I know the LDS have a facility whereby you can order copies of the pages of PRs for a small fee. Perhaps they do a similar service with wills. Might be worth asking. Use the 'contact us' at the bottom of
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp

If you want to know the location of LDS FHCs near to you
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp

Pam