Wills for East Sussex

[MattD30]

Can anyone tell me if there is a downloadable index to wills for people living in East Sussex at all or if there is a website where I can look up references for Wills which may have been proved in East Sussex other than the East Sussex Record Office website?

Many Thanks
Matt

[Liz_in_Sussex]

Hi,

How long ago are you thinking of? If it is a PCC will you’re looking for then Ancestry has them. Also, try looking on Family Search. The SFHG has thousands transcribed which are listed on the website and freely available to members. http://sfhg.org.uk/willstore.html

Liz

PS I’ve just realised you said proved in East Sussex - what’s wrong with The Keep?!

[MattD30]

Hi,

How long ago are you thinking of? If it is a PCC will you’re looking for then Ancestry has them. Also, try looking on Family Search. The SFHG has thousands transcribed which are listed on the website and freely available to members. http://sfhg.org.uk/willstore.html

Liz

PS I’ve just realised you said proved in East Sussex - what’s wrong with The Keep?!

Hi Liz

Sorry I should have said this is for wills between the 16th and 18th centuries lol!

I am using the catalogue on The Keep website but I want to try to cross reference some wills. I have the names and probate dates of some wills but I don't have copies so I want to look up the details again. Unfortunately I am not having much luck finding them on the Keep website so if I can find the references in another source I am hoping I can look them up on it that way.

Matt

[Liz_in_Sussex]

Why not try looking in the National Archives Discovery search - it will throw up stuff at The Keep.

You should be able to find them in Family Search too. And see the actual thing too.

Liz

[jonw65]

Microfilm 1885591
Wills proved Lewes/South Malling/Battle, up to the Commonwealth period. Also Administrations.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-R17?i=4&cat=498353

Date wise is in bits and pieces, gets going here
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-5JN?i=13&cat=498353

Thus you will need the name index to the index!
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-SGQ?i=196&cat=498353

A few supplements including some unregistered Lewes wills
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-RGM?i=240&cat=498353

Do explore it all.

Now the big one. Giving away more secrets 
Lewes wills from 1660
Alphabetical. For those who struggle to find them on the LDS films, It gives the number of the original will. I rarely use it myself, of course
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-SN5?i=254&cat=498353

If there is no original will number then I guess, theoretically, it shouldn't survive (you would need the register copy) but you should check (found one once!)
John

[MattD30]

Why not try looking in the National Archives Discovery search - it will throw up stuff at The Keep.

You should be able to find them in Family Search too. And see the actual thing too.

Liz

Yep I forgot about Discovery. I think I have found the references for the people I am looking for now which is good.

Thanks again
Matt

[MattD30]

Microfilm 1885591
Wills proved Lewes/South Malling/Battle, up to the Commonwealth period. Also Administrations.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-R17?i=4&cat=498353

Date wise is in bits and pieces, gets going here
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-5JN?i=13&cat=498353

Thus you will need the name index to the index!
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-SGQ?i=196&cat=498353

A few supplements including some unregistered Lewes wills
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLS-RGM?i=240&cat=498353

Do explore it all.

Now the big one. Giving away more secrets 
Lewes wills from 1660
Alphabetical. For those who struggle to find them on the LDS films, It gives the number of the original will. I rarely use it myself, of course
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-SN5?i=254&cat=498353

If there is no original will number then I guess, theoretically, it shouldn't survive (you would need the register copy) but you should check (found one once!)
John

Thanks for those

On the last of those is the number of the will the number on the far right?

Matt

[jonw65]

Hi Matt
Yes, that's the secret. The last number, far right, is the number of the original will.
The number may be written on the will - and/or there may be a huge number on the image as with this one, bottom right!
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D39-VTC?i=15&cat=685691

That is Richard LIngham of Iden, original will number 11 for 1679, indexed on FamilySearch here
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-M89?i=460&cat=498353

John

[Liz_in_Sussex]

Fantastic jonw65 - lots of people should find those links and the explanation really helpful!

I was using my iPad last night and it really doesn't get on with FamilySearch so I couldn't even show what I was talking about 

MattD30 - whether you are using FS or the indexes and scans at The Keep it does take a bit of getting used to - and sometimes can drive you round in circles ... but it is worth persevering.

Liz