Probate question

[Jean McGurn]

If probate in a mans will  was granted to a woman who is described as widow would this be his wife or could it be his mother who was a widow by the time probate was granted?

Jean

[suey]

Jean, is the widow named?  Do you know his wife's or mothers names?  Or does it simply say Mrs So and So widow, in which case I can see your dilemma ( did I spell that correctly?  )

Suey

[lizdb]

If it just says "widow" it means the lady was a widow, not necessarily the widow of the person who died (though maybe). It could be his mother, if he named her as his executor.
If it says "widow the relict" (more common in older documents) then it is definitely the widow of the person who died.

Usually best to get a copy of the actual will. You can appoint anyone as your executor,not necessarily a rellie, so the index entry in which only tbe executor is named, has its limitations.

[Jean McGurn]

It just has the Christian name and surname of the woman with the word widow after it. She does have the same Christian name as the chaps mother but as the name was very common at the time it could also be the name of his wife (if he was married)

Problem with checking out BMD's is the surname is very common and coupled with the given names that is also common. Thought I had solved a long standing mystery.

 Oh well back to the drawing board 

Jean

[lizdb]

Could be sister in law,  daughter in law . . . . .

[silvery]

I would have thought it would be his widow.    I can't think that the status of an executor would be of any relevance.   

[lizdb]

In the probate index, the executors name is followed by his/her occupation. In the case of a non-working woman it either says "wife of Joe Bloggs" or "widow"  or "spinster", according to her marital status.

[silvery]

I see.   It is of relevance then.  I stand corrected.   Thanks. 

[Jean McGurn]

I know that military personnel have to write out a will before they go into a war zone but did the men of the merchant navy have to do the same during WWII.

Jean