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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: LizO on Tuesday 14 December 10 22:42 GMT (UK)
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In the 1960s, when she was a pensioner, my grandmother received a small legacy from her great-grandfather - who had died about 1908. He had given someone a lifetime tenancy in a property, and that person had finally died so the estate could be wound up.
The maker of the will lived in Taunton. One of the executors, also a descendent, worked for a firm of solicitors in Bristol. My grandmother received her small legacy in 1969. Her first contact with the solicitors was in 1966. By then, the executors had been looking for the 30 beneficiaries "for some time", so it's hard to say when the lifetime tenant died.
I'd like to get a copy of the will. Can anyone advise me where to look?
LizO
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You can get probate records from 1858 from the York Probate Sub-Registry Castle Chambers, Clifford St., York; the charge per will £5; You can download an application form at
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/pa1s_0405.pdf
Stan
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Thanks, Stan. That's very helpful.
Much appreciated.
LizO
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Hope you are succesful LizO, however I believe that very many of the Somerset wills which had been taken to Exeter for safe keeping were destroyed in an air raid in WW2
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Yes, I'd heard that. However, since it wasn't settled until the 1960s, they must have had some paper to work with that survived the war. I presume that in the years between the will maker's death in 1908 and 1969 when the legacy was paid out, it would have been kept by the solicitors? Were the wills sent to Exeter those that had already been executed or not? I don't know.
Liz
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After 1858 A registered copy of each will and letter of administration was retained in Exeter, and a copy was sent to the Principal Registry in London. Thus copies of all wills and administrations for England and Wales from 1858 until the present are also kept in London at the Principal Probate Registry.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/wills_records
So copies of all wills after 1858 are available.
Stan
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Thanks for clearing that up, Stan. The link you sent explains things well.
So in looking for this particular will in indexes, taking into account the delay between the death of the testator and the final work on the will, would you expect to be listed in the early 1900s or in the 1960s?
LizO
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The will would be indexed when probate was granted. Probate is a certificate to the effect that the will is valid and the executors are authorised to administer the deceased's estate, and carry out the wishes of the deceased.
Stan
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I guess that means early 1900s it is. I will see what turns up.
Thanks,
LizO
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Good and helpful news about the post 1858 copies Stan, no doubt that applies to the other counties affected too? But regards pre 1858 it must be good luck if the will has survived?
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Some Pre 1858 Somerset Wills have been published in two volumes by the Somerset Record Society in 2003 and 2008.
Stan
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Thanks Stan; I was fortunate enough to discover a family will in Dorset History Centre dated 1671. It was a microfilmed copy of a document with very charred edges. As it was from Blandford Forum I assumed it had survived the fire of 1731, but it now occurs that it may have surv ived two fires, Blandford 1731, and Exeter 1942. I was obviously meant to find it.
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NAtional probate index 1858 to 1941 is now on Ancestry.
YOu can search it by date of death as well as date of probate. which is very useful as it makes it easier to find wills that were not proved until some time after death.
Post 1941 you can search on digital indexes at the probate office - quite quick and simple if you visit or ask someone to do for you - easy to scan several years until you find what youwant.
YOu can obtain copies from the probate registry - in person - or by sending cheque for £5 to the London address.
Index should include all wills proved since 1858. However I am missing a couple I am sure should have wills as they left property. Its so frustrating all those Somerset wills that were deatroyed!
lizb
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Thanks for that Lizb, will give it a try, but not too hopeful due to the Dorset and Somerset connections.