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How much did they leave?

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 12 Jun 2011 22:36

I was going to ask how I find out how much my ancesters left in their wills but I see someone on here was given information from a source so please can someone help me?
I have the will of Edward Morris who died 18th May 1870 and his wife proved the will on 1August 1870.
I also have the will of Joseph Austin who died 15th July 1797 and his will was proved 5 Dec 1797.

Any help anyone can give will be much appreciated.

Jonesey

Jonesey Report 12 Jun 2011 22:44

Re Edward Morris.

All that the probate calendar reveals is that his estate was valued at less than £200

Unfortunately most wills do not reveal the exact value of the deceased's estate merely their wishes for the distribution of their assets.

Researching:
Don't put off until tomorrow doing what you can do today. If you like doing it today you can do it again tomorrow. Be kind to your children for it is they who will decide which care home you end up in.

Flick

Flick Report 12 Jun 2011 22:45

Ancestry has a transcribed index of proved Wills 1861-1941, so, if you ask for a lookup, you may get some info about the 1870 death, but obviously not the earlier one

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 12 Jun 2011 22:57

Thank you both for taking the trouble to reply and for your help.

Chris Ho :)

Chris Ho :) Report 13 Jun 2011 07:54

Description Will of Joseph Austin, Gentleman of Skenfrith, Monmouthshire
Date 05 December 1797

(the above Will can be downloaded from National Archives, Documents Online cost £3.50 on below link)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp?WT.hp=Wills


England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1861-1941
about Edward Morris
Name: Edward Morris
Probate Date: 1 Aug 1870
Death Date: 18 May 1870
Death Place: Middlesex, England
Registry: Principal Registry

(late of 18 Judd Street, St. Pancras, Tobacconist. Sole Executrix Jane Austin Morris widow Effects under £200

Chris :)

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 13 Jun 2011 10:27

Thank you Chris for your trouble. I do have both the wills but of course they don't say the value of the estate. I didn't think the one from 1870 was worth a lot but the one from 1797 was quite wealthy so it would have been really interesting to see how much there was.

Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 14 Jun 2011 12:30

Jennifer

You may get lucky in Death Duty Registers.

The NA research guide explains more....

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/death-duty-records-1796-to-1903.htm

Chris

Researching:
Avatar...My darling Dad. 1931-2019 'Take nothing on its looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule' Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. 'A brickwall is a problem that you haven't solved yet' Dave Annal http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/brick-walls-and-lost-ancestors/