Genealogy Chat

I know that there have been a few threads on wills recently, but I have a question that hasn't been answered yet. I have read about wills on the home page and have also tried searching for them at the NA site, but to no avail. My question is, did most people write wills or was it only those with a lot of money? Also I seem to remember reading that soldiers had to make wills, is that true? I have a few soldiers that I would be interested in seeing their wills but as they were only low ranks, I don't imagine that they would have much to leave. Does anyone know? Thanks Lynn

Well, its doesnt seem to follow if they had lots of money unfortunately - I have three generations of Hansons all with their own prosperous businesses and not one will has turned up for them. Cant say Ive found soldiers wills either but I have found a number of mariners who made wills before a long dangerous journey. Im afraid its pot luck on who did or didnt make one.

More people DIDN'T leave wills than those who did! Yes, you did have to have something to leave, but this may have been furniture or a piece of equipment, rather than property - remember most land was actually owned by a very tiny minority, and many farmers or tradesmen were leaseholders rather than owners. Don't know about soldiers, but I thought that all making a will as a matter of course was a fairly recent innovation for the forces? Jay

Thanks for that, I will just have to hope that something turns up eventually. It is so frustrating when you read about people finding loads of wills at the NA site, when all I ever seem to get is 'no records were found'! LOL Thanks again Lynn

Most of the wills I have found seem to be for people who were quite afluent. Difficult to say how much they would be worth in money terms as it involves items like the right to graze two horned beasts on the common - I have a couple of female wills which mainly concern personal effects such as second best petticoates and brass cooking pots. I think will makers were usually able to read and write and belonged to a class of people who would consult a solicitor. If you can find any they are fascinating. I also found my first fire insurance policy recently which gave a vale for the house and contents.

I have got 1 will, thanks to my cousin. It was my great grandfather's, I'm not sure how much he had to leave, but he did have a house. It was interesting as he didn't leave anything to my grandma, or his only son, but my grandad was one of the executors! The witnesses to the will turned out to be his nephew and great nephew, so it is well worth having. I just want to find some older ones which might help knock down brickwalls. Lynn

TNA site only has Wills before 1858. See their online research guides: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=16 which says: 'The Principal Probate Registry started functioning on 12 January 1858. From this date a copy of every will proved is to be found at the Probate Search Room, First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP (tel: 020 7947 6000). But prior to the Court of Probate Act of 1857, the proving of wills and the granting of administrations lay with ecclesiastical courts and some manorial courts. '

Thanks Nell, I hadn't realised that. Mind you the wills that I would most like to see would have been before that date anyway. Unfortuantely, if there were wills, they would have been in Westminster and I will have to wait until I can get down there to check to see if there is any record. Lynn

Depending on where your lot are from it might be worth looking at the local county's website. Mine, for instance, are all from Cheshire and lucky for me the family history section of Cheshire county council is excellent, you can order wills from them on line for about £3. My lot were quite wealthy at one point and so far I've got three wills from 3 generations which has enabled me to see how their fortunes changed. There's still about ten more I could order which is great. The thing I love about the wills is it just brings these people to life. I got one recently from 1757 and it just broke my heart in the bit where this man was explaining what would be left to provide for his 'dearest, loving wife'.

Lucky you Sarah! The ones I'm looking for as I said are from Coldstream Guards based in Westminster. If I could find one, it might tell me if there were more children than the few I already know about. Unfortunately, I can't get to London to search for them. Lynn :-(