Genealogy Chat

Natalie let me know if you want me to decipher it - I'm around today and Tuesday is normally our quietest day at work. You can either send me the pdf by email or just message me the link you got from documents online Zoe

Jenny thank you ? I went there and had no luck at all I have a no. for the will I found in Wills for Winchcombe 1851 of John Greening, I tried every which way for the search but got nothing is there a reason it would not be there does any one know or is it just me,cheers Laraine

Hi can somebody please tell me the address for documents on line that you are talking about to this newbie as I have found a listing for a will and think it might be the John Greening that I'm looking for especially as Zoe said it can take a while for the will to be put on the records after the death of the person , as his wife shows up as a widow in the 1851 census for Charlton Kings and he is not in that parish records and I think he may have died and was buried in Winchcombe where I found the record of the will but thought it may not be him as the date was also 1851, be very grateful for any anything you think might help find him at all Thanks in anticipation Regards to all Laraine

Probably slightly off the point, but don't assume that your ancestors didnt make a will just because they were poor. If they lived in Lancashire or Cornwall, the Duchy of Cornwall or Lancashire got the Assets of anyone dying without leaving a will - a thought which was usually enough to spur anyone who owned as little as a pig to make a Will! Marjorie

If you want later wills the probate office in the crown court keeps books of wills from England and Wales from 1850 to 1966 and if you want a copy of the will it is £5 it will tell you on the will records when he died and when probate took place

I'd been searching Documents online a few times before I came across a family name, so they've either updated, or I missed it before. I don't think he was especially rich, but probably made a Will because he was a Mariner. It is witnessed by a Customs Collector and a Ship Agent....so perhaps he decided to do it before setting off on a long journey! The handwriting is quite difficult to read and there are no full stops or spaces between words, but I can make out most of it. I'd say it's very good value for £3.50. Half the price of a GRO certificate....and you don't have to wait two weeks for it to arrive! Thanks again to everyone for suggesting I give it a go! Natalie

If you're looking "north of the border" - scottishdocuments(.)com is just as good. There are some very odd old Scottish terms used but fortunately there's also a good glossary.

Ann you have to click on Wills first.

If you don't get a hit please try a "fuzzy search" I found a Tocqueville on there transcribed as Jocqueville. Unfortunately it must have been one of the duffest wills ever. She left practically everything to her husband and the remainder to her sister. She didn't even give her sisters name. Just my luck!

Hi Natalie - I found the name of the parents of my ggg grandfather from a copy of his father's will. I got so excited as I had been looking the the information for months. Not only did I get the information, but the will mentioned a family vault which I would never have otherwise known about. I went to the churchyard and found it!! I have had quite a few wills from the site (with only one that went wrong - at first they sent the wrong one but I did get the right one in the end!). I would say go ahead and buy the one you think is right - they are such interesting bits of social history. Some of the ones I have had mention all the household bits and bobs, some have been altered when children have gone in and out of favour. If you do find that it is not for the person you really expected then it could be a close relative and still be interesting. Happy hunting - Angela

Frank, put Documents Online into Google. It holds, amongst other things, PCC wills up to 1858, which you can download. This is only a small fraction of all the wills made in that period, but you can strike lucky. I was amazed to find the will of a Wiltshire labourer ancestor. He had hardly two pennies to rub together, but the will had been signed in pencil, so the witnesses had to swear that it was pukka. Searching the index is free, so it makes sense to take a look. B

Wish I'd have had anyone with enough assets to leave a will!!

You have to order them from York, or go to London to trawl yourself. Not so exciting as seeing it in front as you download, is it? Plus you have to know a date and place for the later ones. I suppose we could have a try as my Hansons (bloody nuisances) all had cabinet carving/wood turning businesses so may have made proper wills I suppose.

Ah, that's possibly why then. Think mine would all have been post 1860 so far!

Up to 1858 I think Lou, though I think I read they had added a few years recently.

I've just had a look at the site and couldn't work out what to do! NJo matter which is my surnames I entered it came up with zero results. Does anyone know what years it covers?

I feel excited for you!

Oh my gosh! Have just processed order....and, as if by magic, the document appeared before me! It's definitely my g.g.g.g Grandfather - and lists all his children (just like you said, Heather!). I can barely read it (might need your help, Zoe!), but it's just incredible! Thank you so much for advising me to go ahead and order it. And, yes, wouldn't it be great if we could conjure up all the other certificates in this way! Thanks again, from a very happy Natalie!

You just download it once youve paid. Shame that that service isnt available for more docs.

Thanks for all your help. Think I'll go ahead and order the Will, as it sounds as if it could be quite interesting. I think it's definitely one of my ancesters, just not sure which generation, as they all had the same name! I'll let you know how I get on, as I've never ordered from Documents Online before! Thanks again! Natalie