Genealogy Chat

see posting 11

I've never done this before and I'd like an idiot proof guide on how to go about it (despite my previous posting I'm still lost!) For example if I give you a name & what I know could you tell me how to see if this chap made a will & how I could get to see it? Charles Baker -christened 11/04/1812 Holt, Norfolk (igi submitted) -married 1841 Q3 St James, Westminster, to Jane Lambourne had 5 children, Jane died in 1875 -married again 1877 Q3 'Erpingham' to Emily Drozier/Drosier had 3 more children (& hers from a previous marriage to William Cooke -died 1889 Q2 'Erpingham' (reg dist for Holt & Thornage) in all census's he was an Ironmonger 1881 living at 'The Red House', Thornage Do I have enough to go on? any replies appreciated... Sarah :-)

After 1858 you need to search the National Probate Calender which is available on fiche/film at record offices and probably some large libraries. The calender is alphabetical for each year and the majority of wills are proved within a year or two of the death (though a small percentage take decades!) Before 1858 wills are all over the place. A percentage were proved via the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC)....these are available to purchase online via the National Archives website. The PCC wills generally don't cover the north of England. Other wills, proved through different courts, may be held at the local CRO to the place of death. Merry

Thanks Merry, So that means that I can't do anything from here for my Charles Baker? (I'm in France) there's nothing to trawl online :-(( Sarah :-( I've studiously copied your info though for ref.

I would put a thread on the RO board asking if anyone can do a lookup for you?......There are a couple of threads offering lookups, but they are old ones....... Merry

Sarah I'll look it up for you, if you want! Ann

Thanks again Merry, I've just put it on the RO board then came back here & saw Ann's great offer!!! That'll be FAB Ann, Do you have enough information? What do you think you'll find? - sorry that sound's stupid - I mean, will you be able to find a ref (like GRO) & then I'll order a copy or will you be able to see the will? Sarah :-)

Sarah I think my reply on Records and your reply on here must have been almost simultaneous! If he left a will (and for this time, it's quite a big if, unless he was relatively wealthy), the will index will just give the basics, ie his name, address, and who his executor was, and some idea of the size of the estate. Then you would be able to order the actual will from York. The info you gave is fine.

Oh that's great Ann, I'm off to bed now, it's late here, I'll check this in the morning Thanks a million for your information, Will you pm me if you find anything??? Sarah :-)

Sarah OK, will PM you. Might not be for a few days - depends when I can get to the records office.

Thanks Ann, Fingers crossed! Sarah :-)

Just wanted to say a 'public' THANK YOU! to Ann. She went there today and found the Will's information for me so I've just stuck down the envelope to York asking for a copy! Ann, if you read this, (or anyone else that knows) how did you go about finding the Will? I'm going to be in Devon (where the other half of the family are from) in August and would like to do a bit of snooping about with Wills & Parish records. Where do I start? Exeter is closer than Plymouth for me. Sarah :-)

nudge for new title

Um.....well.....see posting number 2!!! At the CRO you can lookat the Nat Probate Calender......It's in alphabetical order for each year for post 1858 wills..... Ummmmm......can't think what else to say! Merry

Sarah I actually looked up the will at the National Archives,where they have the will index from 1858-1943 on fiche. Might be worth you asking Exeter whether they have the same. I know a lot of local records offices just have the index for their area, but some have the national one. Just ask them!

Hi Sarah, Merry gave you all the info you need. I'm sure the RO in Exeter will have copies of the Probate Calendar. Anne

Sorry for being thick - yes Merry did tell me how but CRO & National Probate Calendar are new terms for me & .... well... ok, I'm thick! I'm guessing CRO is County Records Office? Do I just go in and ask to see the National (or local) Probate Calendar then? Sarah (feeling dimmer than usual)

How long after a person dies can you do a search for a will if there is one?

Sue.....a will is a public document as soon as the probate has been granted. That can take a varying length of time....... Sarah - sorry, yes....CRO = County Record Office.,......two fingered typing! I often just hope peeps will know what I'm on about! LOL Yes, just go in there and say, ''I've never been to a CRO before.....how do I look at the NPC??'' (you know what that is!....say it in full though!) They will help you................ Maybe I should nudge my thread about what to wear at a CRO??!! LOL Merry

LOL Merry, I'll look through my collection of anoraks then.... Sarah :-)