Genealogy Chat

Apart from needing to know the obvious such as dob and dod, do most of you actually know there was a will or have you applied on the basis that you don't know and fingers crossed? I'd love to find a will somewhere. Ria

Hi Ria, I found my Great great Grandads will on A2A. I didn't know there was one, I was just adding family names into their search and came up with him. It's his name and to confirm, the address on the will dated 1866 was the address the family were living at in 1861 and 1871. Am waiting for it to arrive. Good Luck Linda

You need to access the probate calendar. This should be held at your local Record Office. Check with them if they hold it for the whole country. I know that Essex record Office holds the probate calendar for the whole country up to about 1944. You can search each year by surname. The probate calendar gives brief details of address etc so you know it's the right person. When you find it, record ALL the details it gives, then you can order a copy of the will or admon [administration if no will]. Wendy

Slightly off topic but i recieved a will from a distant relative that contained a hive of information - it listed the deceased's 8 siblings and each of their children with married names for the females. Total of 20 names i was able to add to my tree that i didnt know about.

Try also the familyhistoryonline site that will give you dates will proved etc, thats what i put on the application form for a will, but becareful as you might get reference number but it is usually for the local records office. Star