Hurst Berkshire

[kesannah]

Hello Behind the frogs, Thankyou for your reply. The names and approximate dates are the following.

NICHOLAS HIDE 1595/1600

NICHOLAS HIDE 1565/75

NICHOLAS HIDE 1535/45

I am trying to find confirmation of birth/baptism/marriage. Wifes names where possible. You assitance would be greatly appreciated.

[behindthefrogs]

Have you come across the following which is in Berkshire Record Office?

Will of Nicholas Hide of Hurst, yeoman [probate with certificate] - ref.  D/EX 26/T/10  - date: 1618

There seems to be some link between it and property later owned by the Heelas family in Wokingham.  The Heelas owned department stores in Reading (now John Lewis) and Wokingham (long gone) and were a prominent methodist family in the 19th century.

Possibly Buckhurst Manor which the Heelas family owned but there is a huge hole in the known history of that place from 1500 to 1800.  It is today the St Annes Manor Hotel.

David

[kesannah]

David, thanks again for that information. I didn't know of a will or anything else-other than the names of those rellies I posted. Can I apply for a copy of the will,( or is this on Microfiche, )and if so have you any idea what it would be likely to cost.
I am unable to go to the records office myself.
I shall print off your information, it is very interesting.This is My 10Gt. Grandfather who I only found a couple of days ago,thanks to the site that Gilliam put up for me.

[behindthefrogs]

I suspect from the reference that it is the actual original rather than on microfiche.  As you have the reference there should be no search fee and so it should only be a matter of copying and postage costs.

I have found in the past that if you email record offices asking what it will cost giving the full reference and your name and address they will often just post you a copy rather than mess about with small costs.

David

[kesannah]

Thankyou David, I shall email them and see what happens. I am so pleased with the help I have received from members of this board. You are all very kind.

                             Kesannah

[behindthefrogs]

I should have said that at the time you are talking about Hurst Parish was a peculiar of the Dean of Sarum.  This means that records not in the Berkshire Record Office in Reading might be in the Wiltshire Record Offfice but  I am confused as to whether you need to be looking at Trowbridge, Salibury or Swindon.  In particular if the original Will is not in the Heelas Deeds then you may need to search there.

David

[newburychap]

I suspect from the reference that it is the actual original rather than on microfiche.  As you have the reference there should be no search fee and so it should only be a matter of copying and postage costs.

The reference may apply to the original - but that doesn't necessarily mean you can get a good copy. Most wills are actually probate register copies - transcribed into books by the probate clerks (if I knew their cataloguing better I could tell if it was a register copy or original will - but I don't). In common with most ROs the BRO will not photocopy from old books as they do not want to harm the books.

They do have the wills on microfiche and can print copies from them - but the quality is not always that good.  I am currently trying to decipher a will from the BRO - they won't let me see the original (ie the probate register book), the fiche is indecipherable (lack of contrast means bleed through of ink from the reverse of the page confuses the bit I am trying to read) - if anything the printout is better as there is more contrast. Sadly I have now got as far as deciphering about 2/3 of it - but almost all I have is the usual preamble (commending his soul to almighty God etc) and the postamble (in witness hereof I set my hand and seal - etc.) The interesting bit in the middle is a real mess.

[behindthefrogs]

The reference I believe is to the Heelas family deeds, or should be according to my source.  I thus believe there is a good chance that this is an original piece of paper.

David

[newburychap]

The reference I believe is to the Heelas family deeds, or should be according to my source.  I thus believe there is a good chance that this is an original piece of paper.

Then a copy is very possible.