Milham of Hendfield, Yokehurst of Sussex

[jonwarrn]

Hi
At least you know there is a copy will for Ann.
The LDS have filmed the books, but sadly we can't see them at home.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/82159

For the early years, finding there is a surviving original will is really a matter of luck.

[sugarfizzle]

That is really interesting.
I think those were the wills I was looking at at the weekend, got as far as 1575.
Briefly looked at each one, most in very poor condition, was so near to 1586!

I might look again in the middle of the night to see if they are unlocked, or perhaps it was a different set entirely. I wish my memory would hold up better.
But Nell found some as well - was it that set, Nell?

Thanks again. Maybe worth sending off for Ann's. I am looking for some evidence that their son William Barker, 10G grandfather, was the only son, and what, if anything, became of his 2 sisters, Joane and Margaret.

Margaret

[Little Nell]

Some films are never viewable from home and have to be viewed at an affiliate library or FH centre - no way round that.

For the 17th century wills there does seem to be a filing system according to the deanery in which the particular parish was situated.  So Horsham is in the deanery of Storrington.  I located the start of that run of wills for the correct year and then looked through the wills to find the Briggs ones.  I was not so lucky with the 16th century - there seems to be less order to them and they are more difficult to read in places. 

Sometimes it does have to be the old-fashioned way: look at every page until you find the right one. Eye-straining though. 

Nell

[jonwarrn]

Can't guarantee it has all the answers, but we did discuss finding some of these Chichester wills back in February 2020.
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=826208.msg6899120#msg6899120