Genealogy Chat

Hi Anita, As Gwynneth rightly says, Divorces and Wills are indexed at National Archives, but you no longer have to visit in person. They have recently started a postal resesarch service for Wills & Divorces. Once you have established the index number for a reference, they will obtain copies and post them to you. I used this service a few weeks ago to obtain the divorce for one of hubby's rellies. Cost £21.50 Debbie

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES LADIES, HAVE NOTED THE INFO YOU'VE GIVEN, ALSO SEE SOMEONE ELSE ASKING SIMILAR, SO THEIR REPLIES HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TOO - CHEERS.

Hi, No divorces online but you could search the National Archives website to see if your names are in their catalogue. You will have to visit personally for the details, or hire a researcher. The National Archives also have PCC wills online but you have to pay £5 for each one. Most county record offices have wills on microfiche (and indexes) very little is online. There is a national index for wills from 1858. Some larger libraries and Record offices have them. They have brief details of the wills but you have to pay £5 and write to the probate office in York for the full will. Gwynne

For wills which received probate in the Canterbury court (which is most reasonably sized wills in the south of England) before 1858 you can go to www documentsonline pro gov (put dots in spaces) You can download copies of the wills for £3. I have done several - they are quite hard to read but it is possible given patience! For wills after 1858 you could go to your nearest record office (archive) where you will find annual 'calendars' of ALL wills. You just need to know roughly when the person died. I don't think these are on linethough. Anne

Does anyone know of any sites where DIVORCES of 1800-1900's are recorded?? And also, any sites where WILLS have been transcribed for viewing?