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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: SiCallear on Thursday 28 May 15 21:38 BST (UK)

Title: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: SiCallear on Thursday 28 May 15 21:38 BST (UK)
Hi,

I have seen people quoting information about peoples wills/probates (how much Money and to whom). Where/how can I search for this type of information for my ancestor?

I am just starting a new branch of my tree so the people I initially plan to research died between 1880-1931 (not sure if that affects how/where I need to search?
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: bevj on Thursday 28 May 15 21:47 BST (UK)
Have you seen this site for a starter?
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

Bev
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: groom on Thursday 28 May 15 21:48 BST (UK)
Here is the main site

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills


The earlier ones give more information. The later ones just tell you if there was a will and then you can buy that if you want to.

You can also find some on Ancestry.

Sorry Bev, didn't see your post
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: goldie61 on Thursday 28 May 15 21:49 BST (UK)
ancestry have the National Probate Calendar 1858 - 1966
http://search.ancestry.co.nz/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: SiCallear on Thursday 28 May 15 22:07 BST (UK)
Wow - the probate search site is great - very interesting.

What is the difference between this and what Ancestory offer?
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: groom on Thursday 28 May 15 22:35 BST (UK)
None, you end up with the same results, it is just easier to find the details on Ancestry as you can narrow it down more.

If you apply for a will make sures it say Probate, not a letter of Administration. The later means there was no will.
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: SiCallear on Thursday 28 May 15 22:41 BST (UK)
Are all wills recorded on here? Looking for a record for my great-great-grandad Ralph Fynney Johnson (died 1913) but drawn a blank.

Tried other ancestors and got results (so not a case of user error!)
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: groom on Thursday 28 May 15 22:56 BST (UK)
Perhaps he didn't leave one, I have several relatives who didn't. Try the following couple of years as probate wasn't always applied for straight away.

I can't see it on Ancestry either.
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: jorose on Friday 29 May 15 17:10 BST (UK)
There are various cases where you don't have to apply for a probate/administration.  For example, if the value of the estate is low (this is still the case today, although the threshold is obviously higher given inflation!).

If he owned property, or something of that sort, there should be some record, whether there was a will or not (but as previously stated, if it says "administration" there is no point in ordering the file).
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: Alders on Friday 29 May 15 17:18 BST (UK)
I'm looking for one where the chap died abroad 1889, there is no record of it, yet it paid for his son to get back home & be taken in by a un connected well to do family & for the son to live extremely well of the inheritance well in  old age! Has me stumped! :-(
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: groom on Friday 29 May 15 17:38 BST (UK)
Could the will have been made and registered in the country where he died? In which case perhaps it was proved there.
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: Alders on Friday 29 May 15 17:48 BST (UK)
Could the will have been made and registered in the country where he died? In which case perhaps it was proved there.
It was Kobe in Japan, i have had no luck finding anything there! The son was less than 13 when he came back so something must of been in place to fund that & then transfer the money over to him when he reached the required age! He would of been made a ward maybe of the family?? There was no previous connection to the family & the child was orphaned. The legalities of this have me stumped!
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: groom on Friday 29 May 15 18:07 BST (UK)
Was he working for the Government or similar in Japan, perhaps they arranged for the son to be brought back and cared for?
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: Alders on Friday 29 May 15 18:19 BST (UK)
Was he working for the Government or similar in Japan, perhaps they arranged for the son to be brought back and cared for?
No he resided there set up business not related to the government, the son had to naturalize to the Uk in 1907 it's all so confusing.
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: johnl on Friday 29 May 15 19:24 BST (UK)
Ancestry covers only to 1966 - the Government site comes practically up to date.

johnl
Title: Re: How do I uncover wills/probates?
Post by: Alders on Saturday 30 May 15 08:31 BST (UK)
Ancestry covers only to 1966 - the Government site comes practically up to date.

johnl
Thank you for your help, think it will never be found. :(