Genealogy Chat

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A few weeks ago Ann very kindly found details of a will for me but when I tried to order it through the website I couldn't download the application form (the link wasn't working) so I sent a handwritten letter (my printer's not working either!) to: The Postal searches & Copies Dept, York Probate Sub-registry, Castle Chambers, Clifford St, YORK, YO1 9RG giving the date the will was proved & the details that Ann had found (date of death, address, executors & £ amount) Enclosed a £5 cheque I also gave them my email address & asked them to contact me if they needed any further information. Three weeks on & I've not heard a thing.... does it usually take ages? Did I give them enough info? Can someone who's done this before please let me know if I dun it rite ! Sarah :-)

I would be interested in any replies to this as I too sent off to York for a will about 4 weeks ago

Thanks Ann, you've come up trumps again!! I've been trying to forget that it's on order (well, not date-watching anyway) but it will be what I need to get me going again with my tree - I spend too much time on here reading about Heather & OC's antics with toyboys (Michael is 20 & Heather buys Glen's shoes at Toys R us) & dusters etc... Very amusing but it doesn't do anything for the tree!! Will just have to remember that patience is a virtue! Sarah :-)

I think they must have a tray called ''5½-week-old-applications'' as they ALWAYS seem to take six weeks plus postal time..... Merry

I guess in Scotland we are spoiled you can download for a £5 fee the Wills & Inventories up until 1903 directly from Scotland's People. I am so impatient i cannot imagine having to wait for an answer.

I've always popped into the Probate office in Holborn, London to get my Wills. It's never taken longer than 1 hour to get a Will or a few Wills at any one time (after I've looked it up in their books). I pay my money and wait around, they have always been very good. I don't know what it's like for postal requests but it may be worth while contacting them for any future Wills.

Sorry, what I mean is why don't you try writing to the office in Holborn, or give them a call and ask them how long it takes. It may be quicker, it's worth a try!

Maybe we could get John to get all our wills for us????!! LOL Merry

I have had fantastic results from Cheshire Wills On Line (no, the Will isnt ACTUALLY downloadable, but there is an easy to search list and you can order online) The first time I did this, the Wills dropped on the mat practically as soon as I got off the page LOL - well, three days. The second time took well over six weeks - I wasnt expecting it to take so long and sent them a worried email. I got rather a snotty one back saying they were very busy and I would just have to wait my turn. And when they finally came ...they were a bit of a disappointment! OC

The last one I got a few weeks ago was a 6 weeks wait... I ordered one end of January and it came the beggining of April !!! Mo

Ann What I did get told when I enquired about the one I ordered in January... They are also handling the Miner's work records as well.. for the compensation scheme !! That is how they have accrued up such a backlog.. they also said some of the applications had been sent to other offices..to sort... So until all the Miners records have been dealt with.. the backlog will remain.. Mo

Hi Merry, I'd love to be able to get everyone's Wills but, BIG 'BUT' I now live a few thousand miles away from London and my air fare alone would be much more than Ann's trip to London, inclusive of overnight stay and theatre, etc... LOL John

As John points out, the actual will can be retreived in an hour. There exists a computer index for the wills. If the firm that stores the documents could issue the copies, then the odds are that we could download post 1858 wills just like those for the pcc. Hot gossip at the beginning of the year was that this was on its way. However, the powers that be then realised that they should have put a contract out to tender, so its all back to the drawing board. There are no targets to meet for the issuing of wills, and of course the legal firms, who would make a fuss, can all obtain their copies on the day, so there is no pressure to improve.

I ordered by great grandmother's will from them last December, didn't receive it until January - must have taken at least 6 weeks. So looks like you have to wait a bit longer!

I think that they are accessing the miners working history for that scheme.... That's just what I got told..on the phone after I had waited nearly 8 weeks for a will.. Mo

It's a nice thought John - but I'm not in the UK either & when I do come back I definitely don't have time (with all the 'family' stuff) to go to look up & copy wills. I'll just have to save up & learn to be patient!! Sarah :-)

Tell me about it Ann Sorry if it sounded like that..it's just the way I typed it up.. Sorry Mo

This is a very timely thread. I was going to send for some wills but I am moving soon and will be without the pc. (how will I ever survive!!) lol. until its fixed up at the new address. Although .I will pay for a period for the PO to forward my mail should I trust them not to lose it along the line? Jean