Where to find 16th Century information

[IJDisney]

Have you checked the Exeter Cathedral Library?

The other place to enquire IJ is the Devonshire Institution also on Cathedral Green.
Barb

Thank you both for those two suggestions. What would I be asking for - document-wise? My query at the moment is that I don't know what sort of documents to be looking for. I was hoping to narrow down the focus to something known.

[sleepybarb]

I suggest you email both, they may be able to source the information within their archive.
Barb ,of course you could visit our beautiful city.

[IJDisney]

I suggest you email both, they may be able to source the information within their archive.
Barb ,of course you could visit our beautiful city.

I will do that. Thanks.
My mother was born in Topsham, and my father was born in St.Thomas'. But its always nice to visit again.

[arthurk]

You might find something in the Clergy Database:

http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk/

[IJDisney]

You might find something in the Clergy Database:

http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk/

Thank you. That looks like a good resource. Best roll my sleeves up - this could be long slog!!

[horselydown86]

Are you aware that both the Bishop and his son John have Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills?

I have glanced (I stress glanced) through the two wills.

If it were my research I would take a hard look at the name LEVERMORE.

[IJDisney]

Are you aware that both the Bishop and his son John have Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills?

I have glanced (I stress glanced) through the two wills.

If it were my research I would take a hard look at the name LEVERMORE.

No I wasn't aware of that! Thank you. You sound like the images are scanned on line somewhere. How can I see them?

[horselydown86]

The main two ways are:

1)  With a subscription to Ancestry.

The first two wills under a search for Woolton in the collection called All England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 are for your family.  There may be more (I didn't look further).

2)  They can be purchased and downloaded individually (at a cost of 3.50 GPB each) from The National Archives.

These are the wills:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_aq=John%20Woolton&_ep=will%20of&_dss=range&_sd=1580&_ed=1630&_ro=any&_st=adv

You may find a short term subscription to Ancestry cheaper overall.  They look like the sort of people who left plenty of PCC wills.

[IJDisney]

horselydown86, thank you very much.