Lichfield Records Office

[sunflower]

Hi

I know that Lichfield RO keep a records of Wills before 1858. Does anyone know if these are indexed and if so, is it by name or date.

I've been on their website, but seem to go round in circles.

Carol

[oldtimer]

Hi Carol

They only have a few years' indexed - 1650-1700. You can see it here -

http://www.staffsnameindexes.org.uk/StartPage.aspx?Mode=Details&Index=C

If you have a date and place of death I think they will do a search for you - not sure how much it would cost though.

The staff are really friendly there - if you give them a ring I am sure they will be able to help you.

Good luck!

Judy

[sunflower]

Hi Judy

Thanks very much for the link.  I am actually going there myself as I have so many Derbyshire names.  I think they charge about £22 per hour if they search for you.  I was hoping if anyone had been they could tell me the procedure.

I will give them a call.

Thanks again
Carol

[oldtimer]

Hi Carol

If you are going there, you will have no problems.

The indexes are kept in large books that are kept in date order and alphabetical order. They are called calendars. You just help yourself to look through them. So if you had a Smith die in 1821 you take down the one covering  1821 (and perhaps a few later years in case probate wasn't granted straight away) and they search through the Ss. The calendars give the name of the person, the date of probate and where the person lived. If you find any that you would like to see, you fill in a slip on the desk and hand it in. The actual wills are thenbrought for you to see. It is wonderful to be able to hold something that your ancestor held and signed! If you wish you can order photocopies of any of them, but they don't do them straight away. You have to fill a form in and they notify you when they are ready for posting or collection.

Make sure you ring and book a seat.

Judy

[oldtimer]

Forgot to say - the staff there are really helpful, and will explain it all to you when you get there 

[sunflower]

Hi Judy

Thats brilliant thanks very much.  Thats just want I wanted to know.  I've already found one of mine on that site. I won't get much done tonight!

Carol

[LFS]

Hi Judy
I have ordered 9 wills from them over the last six months - the service has been really good.  I email them to tell them which wills I want - they tell me how much they want - I send it to them and they come in days.  I went some time ago and wrote down all the wills referring to my family, and I'm ordering them a couple at a time.  Fascinating - cheaper than certificates - and go much further back.  And occasionally you get inventories - magic!
Regards
Derby Girl

[sunflower]

Hi Derby Girl

Thanks very much for information.  How much does it cost for a copy?

Carol

[oldtimer]

Hi Carol

As Derby Girl is off line I will answer for her!

It depends on how many sheets of paper it takes to photocopy it. The last ones I had were 50p a sheet, so you are only saying a couple of pounds on average. As DG said, many of the old wills contain inventories, which make the will longer, but they are great to have and give a real insight into the homes of our ancestors and their possessions.

I do hope you manage to get to Lichfield and have the thrill of actually handling your ancestor's documents!

Judy