Genealogy Chat

Wow, thanks Nell that's great information. Thanks

Ha ha! Couldn't resist! From the National archives website: Wills before 1858: The National Archives The National Archives The National Archives at Kew has the wills from the 'top' court, the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), plus supporting records. Supporting records include court cases about disputed wills, inventories of goods, and accounts of executors. Who left PCC wills? Mainly richer people from the southern half of Britain. There was usually a £5 property barrier before an estate became subject to the court. People dying overseas and leaving property in England or Wales. Therefore, there are lots of poor seamen's wills. Very few married women, as until the Married Women's Property Act of 1882, their property would have been deemed to belong to their husband. Research guides Probate records Family Records Centre Copies of all PCC wills can also be seen at the Family Records Centre. The Catalogue You may find it helpful to browse the relevant PROB class descriptions in the Catalogue. DocumentsOnline For a fee of £3.50 you can view digital copies of wills from PROB 11 in DocumentsOnline. Wills after 1858: The National Archives The National Archives & Family Records Centre Copies of the index to all wills from this period are available on microfiche at both The National Archives at Kew and the Family Records Centre. For supporting records see Death duty registers 1858-1903 Other Probate Search Room Wills later than 1858 are not held at The National Archives but may be read in the Probate Search Room which is at: Principal Registry of the Family Division First Avenue House 42-49 High Holborn London, WC1V 6NP Telephone number: +44 (0) 20 7947 6000 (Royal Courts of Justice switchboard) York Probate Sub-Registry Copies of wills are obtainable from the York Probate Sub-Registry by post, provided you know the date of death. The Sub-Registry is located at: York Probate Sub-Registry First Floor Castle Chambers Clifford Street York, YO1 7EA nell

hahah... Can anyone give me a quick 123 on how to or where to get wills from please. I'll log back on later. Thanks Annie (don't laugh!)