Index to Irish Wills 1484-1858: Where to find the wills?

[Gilby]

You answer your own questions, but keep on asking.

I needed the steer and confirmation! 

Was the Will Registered?

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=765484.0

Possibly, but the reference numbers aren’t ROD references.

[Gilby]

Hi Jon,

Sorry, I had left my computer when you posted yesterday, and then I went to bed, and then work, and then tennis, and then made dinner etc, and I still haven’t had the chance to review your posts fully yet!  … but this looks exactly what I need!  Thank you very much

Would you mind explaining the process involved in finding these extracts?

Is there a page on familysearch for wills similar to this for the Registry of Deeds:

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/185720?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Thanks,
Gilby

[jonw65]

Hi
Sorry, I didn't realise you had such a busy day!
I just looked at the FamilySearch catalogue, under Ireland
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=76&query=%2Bplace%3AIreland

Then scroll down to probate records (70), probate indexes (35), etc
Many of the films listed will be locked up, so can only be seen at a family history centre or affiliate library such as TNA.
In fact it becomes rather confusing regarding the estate duty records (to me at any rate!)
The film we have with Robert on comes from here
Irish will register: 1833-1839, and index, 1828-1837
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/234514?availability=Family%20History%20Library

From Dublin they also have
Registers of Prerogative and Diocesan wills of Ireland, with indexes, 1828-1839
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/670225?availability=Family%20History%20Library

From Belfast, looks intriguing
Irish estate duty wills, 1821-1857. Calendar, 1812-1857
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/597301?availability=Family%20History%20Library

I was going to say there will probably be more stuff, and there is!
Irish will register, 1828-1832
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/234657?availability=Family%20History%20Library

That one is unlocked and may perhaps have Edward Stevenson in 1831 on folio 399

So it is like everything else on FamilySearch, have a look through the catalogue and see what goodies you can find!
John

[Gilby]

Hi John,

This is fantastic!  I’ve started hunting and have already found extracts from the will of one of my 5x great grandfathers.

I can see this is going to occupy me for weeks much like the Registry of Deeds did when I first found it.  And I think it is going to take me almost as long to get my head around!

I’ve been referring back to the 1484-1858 Index on FindMyPast, and evidently “IWR” stands for “Irish Will Register” and the numbers correspond with the folio numbers on familysearch. 

I’ve also now recognised that the “Connor Will & Grant Book/1818-20” corresponds with T2501 at PRONI.

There will be more reference numbers I don’t get and may post back when I have time.

Thank you so much!

Gilby

[jonw65]

Hi Gilby
Excellent news! Glad the registers are proving useful to you.
Yes, do please get back to us with anything more that you can glean regarding Irish probate records and their references at the archives. If I find out any more about the films in the other links I posted I shall update.
John

[John Falvey]

Don't forget the salvaged wills and the Will Boxes.

The only pre-1858 Stevenson is James from Newry whose will dates from 1821
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ8-89X4-C?i=21&cat=3590

[Gilby]

Thanks John F. – more to hunt through!

I feel the need to try to draw up a list to show what all the reference numbers mean and where to find the originals (either online or in person). 

E.g.

1818-1820
Index to Irish Wills 1484-1849 reference = Connor Will & Grant Book/1818-20
PRONI T2501
Copy of the Down and Connor Will Book which partially survived the fire – on average the wills are missing about half of the text.

1828-1832
Index to Irish Wills 1484-1849 reference = IWR
Irish Wills Register
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/234657?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Extracts of wills with details of legacies and beneficiaries.

1833-1837
Index to Irish Wills 1484-1849 reference = IWR
Irish Wills Register
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/234514?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Extracts of wills with details of legacies and beneficiaries.

[Gilby]

To begin with, I think this will be easier by working backwards from the records on Familysearch.

For example, the will of Anne Atkinson can be found in the “Alexander Bell & Son Presentations”.

Link to index:
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/3590?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Link to film:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNP-Z96D-6?i=6&cat=3590

This appears to be listed twice in the Index to Irish Wills (can I call it IIW?), though it is possible they are two different people:


Year   1849
Date of grant   1849
Address   Ballinasloe
Notes   With copy
Where grant proved   Prerogative Court
Document type   Administration Will Annexed
Document status   Original
Ref.no.      T/9788a&b


Year   1851
Date of grant   1851
County      Armagh
Document type   Will & Grant
Document status   Certified Copy
Ref.no.   T/8868


What do T/9788 and T/8868 refer to?

[Gilby]

A few other references I’d like to get to the bottom of:


First name(s)   Thomas
Last name   Spratt
Year   1822
Address   Downpatrick
County      Down
Where grant proved   Down & Connor Diocese
Document type   Will
Document status   Extract
Ref.no.      Char1/5/p66
Record set   Index Of Irish Wills 1484-1858
Category   Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory   Wills & Probate
Collections from   Ireland


First name(s)   Mary
Last name   Rankin
Year   1853
Date of grant   15 September 1853
Address   Bangor
County   Down
Where grant proved   Down & Connor Diocese
Document type   Will & Grant
Document status   Transcript
Ref.no.   Down and Connor Will & Grant Book/7014
Record set   Index Of Irish Wills 1484-1858
Category   Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory   Wills & Probate
Collections from   Ireland


First name(s)   William
Last name   McCausland
Year   1832
County   -
Where grant proved   Armagh Diocese
Document type   Administration
Document status   Transcript
Volume   4/237/33
Ref.no.      IAR/1832/F/56
Record set   Index Of Irish Wills 1484-1858
Category   Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory   Wills & Probate
Collections from   Ireland


Any ideas?  The IAR one is in the same format as the IWR, so I’m hoping it might be in the Familysearch collection.