Older Wills - pre 1861

[AdRem]

Presumably a really easy question for the Aristos:

Where can I find Lancashire Wills (especially Manchester) for period before 1861? Presume a hierarchy of eccles courts depending on how much money, and if in more than one county.

Thanks,

Charles

[Gibel]

Pre 1858 wills were proved in the church courts. Manchester was then in the Chester Dioces so they were proved at Chester.

However those belonging to someone in Lancashire are stored at Lancashire Record Office at Preston. There are indexes to the wills in books entitled Wills proved at Chester (found in many large libraries in the area) and there is an index of names at

Lancashire Will SearchLancashire England Will Search. ... the original probate records should always be done to overcome transcription errors and omissions. ...
www.xmission.com/~nelsonb/lws.htm - United States

There are some errors/ommissions in the above list. If you find a will and can't get to Preston they will do a photocopy for you (charge applies)

Gibel

[mshrmh]

Charles - as Gibel says wills relating to Lancs were transferred from Chester RO to Lancs RO some years ago. If your ancestor happened to be technically Cheshire (eg Sale) the will would be at Chester & they have a good online index (and ordeing facility), so that's also worth checking:
http://archives.cheshire.gov.uk/family_history/wills_and_probate_records.aspx

[AdRem]

Thanks Gibel and Mshrmh, 

Very helpful.  I've found one that looks hopeful - a Manchester one from 1834.  I think I can see it at a LDS centre but presume I ought to be able to get a photocopy from somewhere?  Preston? Chester? Manchester archives?

Charles

[J D------]

http://www.bookshop.mlfhs.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1129
 
Of which i have a copy
J.D.

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Presumably you have found it through this site as Cheshire have an online ordering service?

 http://www.xmission.com/~nelsonb/lws.htm

If so they you can apply for a photocopy from Lancashire Records Office at Preston as long as you have the relevant details.

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=4528&pageid=30539

Click on "our services" at the left hand side.

They are closing in June for refurbishment so don`t leave it too late.

Regards,
Mo

[AdRem]

Thanks, Mo,

I've sent a message to Preston asking for a copy ...

With regard to the 'xmission' list - do I take it that they have not yet transcribed the whole list of Lancs wills?  If I am still hunting, are there any other places I could look - do the Archives have a different record system?

Charles

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Other places to check would be the Lancat catalogue on the Lancashire record office site and also Access to Archives. 

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/advanced-search.aspx?tab=1

Also the hardback indexes in many large libraries as mentioned by Gibel in reply no.1. 

This is also an interesting site for Manchester and there are quite a number of wills (including images) on it.  It is only up to 1820 though.  If you do a search you may have to click on the search button twice - the first time it never seems to bring up the results!

http://www.northwestfamilybusiness.arts.manchester.ac.uk/Intro.aspx 

regards,
Mo