Finding a will

[Keith Sherwood]

How exciting for you!  And I'm sorry that I was thwarted in High Holborn, otherwise you would probably have got the copy of the will in the post today.
You seem to be getting plenty advice about how to order this by post now - I hope you don't have to wait too long for it to arrive.
Keith

[claudia99]

Thanks again Keith.
Pam, do you ean I can get it from Manchester CRO?  If so can I get it by post or do I have to go in person?
I can't really get there at the moment so I would have to request it by post - is this possible and is it still £5?
Claudia

[Boongie Pam]

Different record offices seem to have different policies and charges.  I went in person to Carlisle and paid 20p a page for my wills which were in full on film.

I've just called the Greater Manchester Records Office and they said they have indexes from 1858 to 1951 refering to fiche which will contain:-

Name
Date of death
Occupation
Where will was proved
Estate Value
Executor's name

NOT FULL WILLS

From this you would then need to apply as previous posters have advised for the full will which costs the fiver.

I got this info using the number on their home page http://www.gmcro.co.uk/

Cheers,
Pam
 

[Lindy Lou]

Hi

Go to the www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
web site, click on family history then wills.
There you can search for a will using surname, gives information which enables you to establish which one is the one your looking for.  Once established you have the right one, you can use the code and pay £3.00 and you then have a choice of downloading it straight away or anytime up to seven days.

I ordered one off the site the other week, admittedly I knew the date of death, allow about three months for probate.  Incidentally the one I ordered was for a death in December 1847 and the will was proved end of February 1848. 
Just a point to be aware of, when you receive the will they come in three's, I initially thought I had received the wrong one, but the one I wanted was the middle one.

Hope this helps!
Lindy Lou

[Boongie Pam]

Hi Lindy Lou,

That is the best way to find PRE-1858 it's the POST-1858 ones that are a pain 

Pam
 

[casalguidi]

Hi Lindy

Those wills on the national archives site are PCC wills only.  Furthermore PCC wills account for only a proportion of pre 1858 wills - often only for people that had property in more than one place (the more affluent?) and seamen etc..  The other pre 1858 wills will be with the appropriate local county record office so you may well find more for your family in the appropriate location  

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[D ap D]

Sorry to disagree but it is worth contacting the county record office. 
..

Would Carlisle be different for some reason?

Don't know about Carlisle, but I got the same from the E. Yorks record office. Mine came on 2 A3 sheets and I paid about 2 quid.

Also had the same from Gwynedd archives in Caernarfon, having not been able to find the wills on the national archives site. (all post 1858!)