Norfolk and Suffolk Norwich wills online at familysearch - guides?

[melba_schmelba]

Hi
I think the different courts are best explained via the link you gave to Norfolk, "Church Courts - probate records before 11 January 1858". Certainly better than I could!

As you have said, the ANF register copy wills are locked up as far as home viewing is concerned. I don't know why that is as we can see the Norwich ones.
But at least it appears that we can see the ANF copy wills for 1800-57 on Norfolk Sources
i.e., from NROCAT
Fidgett, Jane, of Fakenham, 1808
ANF will register 1808-1810 (1808) fo. 12 no. 6

Chose that one at random,  but anyway it is online. Can't get the Rootschat Shrink Link to work for this!
http://tinyurl.com/y5db2n6l

It doesn't make much sense why just one lot of the Norwich wills are blocked and all the others are now available. Thanks for the Norfolk Sources link, I wasn't aware of that site - would I be right in thinking it is indexed by persons mentioned in the will as well as the testator?

[rosie99]

After posting yesterday I was browsing images for a Sussex parish I am interested in, this morning they are locked.         

On the plus side I did find a document confirming the father of someone on my direct line so that was a bonus.    It just shows how you have to keep looking at the parishes you are interested in as the records do 'come & go'

[coombs]

I have used the Norwich and Norfolk wills online lots of times and it has been very beneficial for my Norfolk ancestors as some of my London and Suffolk ancestors descended from Norfolk folk. Lots of Suffolk people had their wills registered at Norwich courts. I hate the dreaded "key" above the camera symbol for records that could be a goldmine of info, but not seen such "key" with the Norfolk online images.

[melba_schmelba]

I have used the Norwich and Norfolk wills online lots of times and it has been very beneficial for my Norfolk ancestors as some of my London and Suffolk ancestors descended from Norfolk folk. Lots of Suffolk people had their wills registered at Norwich courts. I hate the dreaded "key" above the camera symbol for records that could be a goldmine of info, but not seen such "key" with the Norfolk online images.

Hi coombs, most of the Archdeaconry of Norfolk wills are locked from 1542 on

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/291384?availability=Family%20History%20Library

[elricks]

This may well be a new offering, but it is possible to see thousands of Norfolk Consistory Wills pre 1857 using Family Search site. They are not indexed, but are in
'year' order. Provided you know when, any will is relatively easy to find.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library.

If that link does not work, go to Family Search, choose search, choose catalog.

I put 'place' as Norfolk, England, and 'title' Wills. You get a few options.  The one you want is

Norwich consistory wills, 1703-1857

I have yet to explore the other options, but I doubt it will be a waste of time when I do.  The FamilySearch catalog is a simply wonderful - free - resource.

[BushInn1746]

Added: These have been locked since last evening!

This may well be a new offering, but it is possible to see thousands of Norfolk Consistory Wills pre 1857 using Family Search site. They are not indexed, but are in
'year' order. Provided you know when, any will is relatively easy to find.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410095?availability=Family%20History%20Library.

If that link does not work, go to Family Search, choose search, choose catalog.

I put 'place' as Norfolk, England, and 'title' Wills. You get a few options.  The one you want is

Norwich consistory wills, 1703-1857

I have yet to explore the other options, but I doubt it will be a waste of time when I do.  The FamilySearch catalog is a simply wonderful - free - resource.

You may not have to trawl / browse each of the images on the films covering the year.

Although there are several Registers on each film.

Some William Cook of Lowestoft, Suffolk, Wills:-

1855 Cook William the Elder, Fisherman 542, (Widow Sarah [nee Butcher] etc., Testator died 16th February 1831, Proved 1855) ;

1856 Wills start at F. S. film strip image number 259 of Film #004389347

1856 Cook William, Mariner, Code 112 (Widow Pleasance. Wm Cook, Bachelor, married Pleasance Stone, Spinster in 1818 at Lowestoft, Suffolk)
[F. S. Film strip image number 371] ;

1857 Cook William, Gentleman 616 (Will written 1849, one of his Will Codicils says now of Harleston).
[F. S. Film strip image number 1572 onward]

The Norfolk Record Office online catalogue lists the Testator's Name, Place & Year (above) with a number reference.

Got the page up by putting into Google:-  "Norfolk Record Office" Cook Lowestoft Will

Several William Cook Lowestoft returns.

https://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/cook-william-the-elder-fisherman-of-lowestoft-suffolk
Confirms 1855 and gives 542.

With the drop down list you can also do a CTR F search or a find in page search in the list returned.

1855 that number 542 is recorded on the top right of the r/h page.

However, due to several Register names with numbers (Will numbers from the Norfolk Record Office Cat.), being on the same film, the same number on a Will may appear more than once on the same film.

Some Probate years start part of the way through a film too.