Wills
Relatively few people left wills in the years prior to the twentieth century. Usually goods were so few and estates so meagre that the preparation of a will was rarely warranted. Since 1858, in England, all probate has been granted by the Probate Division with all wills being held in London. Printed indexes to these wills are maintained and available for inspection either in London or at local probate offices and record offices. Microfiche copies of the indexes are also increasingly available.
Copies of any will identified in the indexes can be obtained from the local or national probate office. Wills sometimes say little more than 'all to my wife', but often they contain a wealth of genealogical information such as the names of children, their spouses, grandchildren and even nieces and nephews. The property listed and value of the estate can give an insight in to the social standing and living conditions of the deceased.
