Probate - effects less than expected

[GrahamSimons]

Thanks all.

I was aware of the tithe record that shows George and Robert as tenants (about 90% sure it's them) but where can I find out about the auction disposal?

Try the local newspaper via the British Newspaper Archive. I've found some amazingly detailed auction reports with prices of individual stacks of hay and straw, let alone land sales.

[Jebber]

I agree with Graham, newspapers are great for filling in details of auctions, I have had great success with them.

Be prepared to extend your searches, auctions often took place quite along time after the death.

[GrahamSimons]

Here's an example (and the wonderful Scots word displenishing)

[Andrew Tarr]

Wills involving small estates under a certain sum (The figure changes over time) do not necessarily need to go to Probate. A phone call  to the Probate  Office giving them the information of the size of the estate, was all that was needed to to confirm that Probate was unnecessary, ...

But not in 1869 I think