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England
Probate Records
Neil D. Holden
Wills and administrations
often represent a crucial resource in determining relationships between people.
Finding a will for your ancestor, if one ever existed, may prove easy or
difficult depending on what time period
the will was proven. Wills proven from 1858 onwards have been indexed on a
national level, and are relatively easy to find. The trick is to identify your
ancestors’ year of death, and or the death of his or her spouse. Wills were
usually proven within a year of the decease of the ancestor in question.
However, the wills of many men were not proven until the decease of his wife, if
this event happened afterwards. The vast majority of woman did not make wills
until a change in English law occurred in the 1880’s.
Prior to 1858 wills were processed through
the ecclesiastical court system, and determining exactly where your ancestor's
will would have been proven is a complex issue. The challenge is well worth
taking up, however, as wills become increasingly important as one's research
moves back in time. If your ancestor did not leave a will, then it is quite
possible that there was still a letter of administration requested in order to
take care of his or her estate. This is often the case when a man dies
relatively young.
Many indexes are now available that enable
researchers to identify their ancestor’s probate records. The following
represents the best links to be found online:
The vast majority of wills still in
existence are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.
ProGenealogists is located just a few blocks away and we have access to all
English probate records. If you need help identifying your ancestors will, or
you require in-depth analysis to be performed by a professional researcher,
ProGenealogists is there to help. Please click
here for a free estimate. | |
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