1903 will for Benjamin Hepburn

[AsH62]

HI. Several years ago someone on Rootschat found me a reference to the probate for Benjamin Hepburn who died on the 10th of November 1903 in Granny. I have since sent off for his death certificate and have even been sent an 'In Memorandum' card for his funeral from someone who found it in an old book and saw my question when looking up the name online. So far, so brilliant.

Please can I ask a question? I know that a lot of documents were destroyed by fire in the 1920s, can I assume that all wills were in that building or am I making an assumption and not looking in the right place? I did try sending some e-mails to find out but haven't got anywhere. Benjamin is a mystery and I would love know who he left his money to if there was any. He was married to his illegitimate first cousin from Australia, she was the daughter of a swashbuckling Scottish settler from Ballarat (gold country) and when she died in 1894 I think she left a large amount but there is no will. He was buried in a graveyard called Kilmacow and family history has him as both a villain and a hero and I can't find out which he is.
Also does anyone know if there are any MI listings for the graveyard at Kilmacow or images of graves or anything. I have no idea what took him there from Scotland and wonder if there were other members of the family there.

Thank
Alison

[Maggsie]

Hi Alison,
That was easy, I found the Will log book.
Janet was his wife. Is this correct?
Maggsie

[AsH62]

Hi Maggsie. Yes, his first wife was Agnes but after he died he married his housekeeper Janet and they moved with his 4 children to Ireland.
Does the will still exist?
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[Maggsie]

As Ireland was part of the British at that time, will logs were in Books and were kept in London.
To get an actual will, you would have to go to the National Archives in Ireland.
You may get the page from this link if not I will keep the page for you.
http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/reels/cwa/005014913/005014913_00376.pdf
If you try this
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Waterford/Waterford_Urban_No__5/Thomas_Street/1763228/
They were in Waterford, click into the record and you will see his signature.
Let me know if you see these 2 links.
Maggsie

[AsH62]

OK, this is really exciting. I can see the links, thank you, that's great.

I have just gone to the National Archive Ireland but I can't see where to go to order a will. I'm sorry to be a pain but I am so close!
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[Maggsie]

Sorry, you may have to go to Dublin.
Or, some kind person will tell you where to get on line.
Maggsie

[AsH62]

Thanks, I misunderstood and thought I had to go to the Archive online. All is now clear and I am formulating a plan.

Once again, thank you

Alison

[Maggsie]

Also, It's not Granny the place name it's Grannagh.
Maggsie

[AsH62]

Well that's cleared something up. The death certificate has 'Granny' in two different places all neatly typed out so I carefully transcribed it exactly as it appeared. The mists are lifting.
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