Dorset Wills.

[student325]

In response to Jan, I've just created an index of IR26 references (which cover period 1796-1903) laboriously copied from TNA's website.  They are on microfilm mostly at the National Archives up to 1857.  Ones from 1857-1903 are big heavy volumes which can be ordered in advance.
Here is the link to the index of references (does NOT contain family history data or images):
http://www.haine.org.uk/wills/IR26_catalogue.htm
Hope this is helpful to you and others

David


Posted by: janan   Posted on: Sunday 15 November 09 19:42 GMT (UK)
Insert Quote
Hi Angela

Like you I am completely mystified by the Death Duty registers and how to obtain the full info. In theory the ref from the index can be turned into an IR26 ref  but it doesn't work, gives entirely the wrong years when I've tried. Without a specific ref the NA will no longer copy documents 

The Probate office are very helpful and don't require a ref just dates, so I hope they hold Thomas will.

Hope you eventually find some wills for your ancestors, they can be very illuminating.

Cheers
Jan

[josey]

Hello Paul,

You have put in some sterling efforts for others which I am sure is appreciated.

I am helping a friend in Canada with her family history. I wonder if you could look up any wills for GUY? They lived mainly in Sturminster Newton.

Many thanks in advance, Josey

[AngelaR]

Hi Josey

In the index from 1821 to 1858 there are 5 GUY wills, as follows:

By Walter (sic) 1837 Aug Wimborne Minster    W 601 Victualler & Yeoman
John                 1854 Aug Beaminster              W 611 Yeoman
Mary                 1822 Jun Sturminster Newton A          Widow
Mary                 1852 Oct Sturminster Newton W 762 Spinster
William              1844 Apr Shaftesbury             W 296 Silversmith

Paul has the earlier index, so I'm sure he'll check that for you.

Good luck 

Angela

[josey]

Those are really helpful, thank you very much for looking & posting Angela.

Josey

[janan]

In response to Jan, I've just created an index of IR26 references (which cover period 1796-1903) laboriously copied from TNA's website.  They are on microfilm mostly at the National Archives up to 1857.  Ones from 1857-1903 are big heavy volumes which can be ordered in advance.
Here is the link to the index of references (does NOT contain family history data or images):
http://www.haine.org.uk/wills/IR26_catalogue.htm
Hope this is helpful to you and others

David


Posted by: janan   Posted on: Sunday 15 November 09 19:42 GMT (UK)
Insert Quote
Hi Angela

Like you I am completely mystified by the Death Duty registers and how to obtain the full info. In theory the ref from the index can be turned into an IR26 ref  but it doesn't work, gives entirely the wrong years when I've tried. Without a specific ref the NA will no longer copy documents 

The Probate office are very helpful and don't require a ref just dates, so I hope they hold Thomas will.

Hope you eventually find some wills for your ancestors, they can be very illuminating.

Cheers
Jan

Hi David

Welcome to Rootschat

Thank you for the information and the link - very helpful. An amazing job you've done.

Cheers
Jan

[Paul Caswell]

... I wonder if you could look up any wills for GUY? They lived mainly in Sturminster Newton.

Hi josey,

Guy is quite a common name in Dorset. I have some in my tree. This is the only "Sturminster Newton" Guy in the index.

Guy, Alexander, Sturminster Newton - 66 - 1756

I hope he is your friend's. If you have another village name do post again.

Paul

[josey]

Thank you so much Paul. My friend has an Alexander Guy born 1697 died 1756 so definitely worth sending off for.

Your help is much appreciated, both sides of the Altlantic.

Josey

[Robarsh]

Dear Paul,
I came across this thread when looking for info re Dorset Wills. I know it is a bit old but I was hoping you could give me some advice. I have been researching my own Marsh line mainly in Beaminster but lately Loders. I have never tracked wills before as I felt my forebears were too poor to leave anything! However, looking on Ancestry I saw a reference....Marsh, John of Loaders (sic) 10 1708 Burials Dorset Wills and Administrations. I was wondering if your source mentioned any wills for Marsh in Loders or Beaminster and if so, how I could chase up copies of the originals.
Thanks, I am in Australia so any help appreciated.
Robarsh

[Paul Caswell]

Hi Robarsh,

There is this interesting one:

Lodder, Robt., Margaret Marsh - 1708

I can confirm that there is a will:

Marsh, John, Loaders - 10 1708

There is also:

Marsh, Henry, Loders  - 17 1720
Marsh, Catherine, Loders - 39 1680
Marsh, Elizabeth, Loders - 10 1732
Marsh, John, Loders - 22 1747

I would suggest you get in contact with the Dorset Record Office and arrange for a copy of any you are interested. In my experience the copies aren't very good but you can arrange the whole thing online which is a bonus.

This should be a good start:

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/dorsethistorycentre

Good luck ... and let us know how it all goes.

Paul