Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me how I go about obtaining a copy of the will of someone who died in 1998, if its possible? Many thanks, Sarah

This website might help you:- http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm#howdoi Kath. x

Thanks Kath, will have a look and see whats what!! Sarah

Thanks for asking this Sarah. I was just about to ask for something similar myself. Thanks for the website Kathleen. I thought it was somewhere in York you sent off to. Jeanette x

Try looking for your local probate office on search. I had my relations and she died this year. Ellen XX

Just wondered if there was any restriction on who can apply for recent wills - eg if its not a close relly, and they died only a few years ago?

That is brilliant. Thank you so much for posting it. Sheila

Hi Sarah, To help you, and anyone on site who is interested, most Controlling Probate Registries have the National Probate Callendar (NPC for short) In my District Probate Registry Annual Books (!947 to 1972) are on open access to the public. Then 1973 to 1995 is on microfiche (One reader available). For 1996 to 2005 you ask at the counter. They will print off for you Grant/Application Details which shows Probate number, Date received, Full name of deceased and any aliases, DATE OF DEATH, DATE OF BIRTH, ADDRESS OF DECEASED. AGE AT DEATH. Also GRANTEES (Usually a named relative and their address) Date probate issued, GROSS ESTATE £ and Net estate£) All of this is a 'search' which if free. The most useful data pre 1995 is in the bound, indexed books. prior to 1968. A shorter version was recorded after 1968 to 1995. For NPC 1858 to 1943 (On fiche) you will usually find this in your local archive office, or Main Library. They are a wonderful resource for family historians and FREE! (Any willl 1858 to 1943 can be purchased for £5) using date, or number located in NPC. Look in Yellow Pages for your local District Probate Registry, which are normally open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday. A general enquiries Telephone number is 0845 3020900. For much older wills, back to circa 1550 go to National Archives, Documents Online, And search Family History:Wills. Index search is free and gives useful info. Downloads can be done for a fee. Think that covers most points. Hope that is of help. Older persons amongst you may remember when interesting will were published weekly in the press.. The point to remember is that as soon as a will is proved, it becomes a public record. Ray Whincup 'My news is history!'

Hi Sarah I have just sent off to the probate office they were very helpfull and i sent a cheque for £5.00 made out to hmcs. They said it would take about a week to send back hopefull i will get it monday that will then be seven days . This was for a death this year it will give me details such as date of death ,place of reseidence gross amount of estate which soliciter dealt with the will etc . And because they all use the npc you could just use use local office which is good no matter where the person died in the uk . I rang first to find out what to do then sent them deatails and cheque they did not send me a form to fill out which was good .The only stressfull bit was leaving the house to walk to the post box and making yet another cheque out and putting bills on the stump in the cheque book just incase hubby takes a look . I just sent name date of death address what ever information i could . Diana

Ray said above .......'Older persons amongst you may remember when interesting will were published weekly in the press.......' I think they still are in the Times and/or Telegraph. Maureen

Quality press you read Maureen. I just get the Yorkshire Evening Post! Ray Whincup

Nudged for Sarah Raymond Whincup