Genealogy Chat

I have found a will on the 'Lancashire wills' index dated 1846 and I would like a copy. If possible without ordering a microfilm to the FHC. Has anybody had experience of ordering a copy of a pre-1858 Lancashire will from the Lancashire record office or anywhere else, and how do you go about it? Kate.

Kate, have you checked to see if you can get it from the documents- online website. they have loads of pre-1858 wills which can be accessed for £3.50 a document. PM me if you need further details of the site Pete

Peter - thanks, but Documents Online only has the PCC (Canterbury) wills, but the one I want was Archdeaconry of Richmond (Amounderness Deanery). Kate.

Kate Are you sure that Lancs RO hold this Will? I was under the impression that the Western Deaneries still hold all their own records. A quick (!) look on A2A will tell you if Western Deaneries hold this Will themselves, and although I have never dealt with the Western Deaneries, they cannot possibly be any slower than Lancs Records Office!!! Olde Crone

As far as I can see they are listed under Lancashire Record Office on A2A. I've sent an email to LRO to ask about it so I'll wait to hear what they say. Kate.

I have some more information now. You send an email to Lancashire record office giving details of the will you want a copy of, and asking for a quote for providing a copy of it, and they will reply giving you a quote (mine was £5) and a copyright declaration form which you have to sign and send back with the payment. I will let you know how long it takes to arrive! Kate.

Hi Kate, where did you find the Lancashire wills index? Gloria x

Hi Kate I sent my cheque last thursday and I have still not received anything as yet. Susan:-)

Gloria - search for Lancashire wills on google, and the first one on the list will be the Lancashire Will Search page. Kate.

Hi Kate, thanks, got to it eventually Gloria x

Just to say that it has arrived today, a very nice A3 photocopy, and not actually a will but an administration document, but plenty of names on it anyway. Kate.

I found a possible ancestor on the site which was: Beacon James of Witton, Officer of Excise. A. 22 Jul 1820 Would 1820 be the date the will was written or the date he died?

I believe the date will be the date that probate was granted on the will, usually not long after the death but in some cases it can be years after the death! Kate.

Thanks Kate, I have a James Beacom, Excise Officer, who had a son in 1810 so it might be the one. I'll have to work out which would be the best way of getting the information as I'm in Australia. April