*Archive?* Wills - how to find them

[snoopysue]

After finding a reference to a will of one of my ancestors, I realised there was a potential for extra interesting information to be found.
But I haven't a clue as to how to go about finding a will, and what if there wasn't one but there was still something to inherit??

I don't expect a quick and easy answer, but any hints as to where to look will be gratefully recieved. I live in Denmark, so internet resources are the obvious place to start.

Thanks
Sue

[Jimmy]

Hi Sue and welcome to the mad house, there are some wills on the following link, just put the surname in the search box.

http://www.blackcountryhistory.org.uk/default.aspx

[snoopysue]

Thanks Jimmy
I'll be checking that websit out.
Sue

[gardener]

Hi Sue
You can find some wills on here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/
Some times the site Jimmy gave you has abstracts but you can buy the image from the National Archives.
Remember to be creative with the spelling

Pre 1858 wills had to be proved by the church or a court and it can be difficult tracking them down at first (if they existed). Roughly speaking, they were proved in the diocese with jurisdiction over where you lived but if you had property in more than one diocese then I think Canterbury got the will to deal with. The diocese lines tended to be based on old systems which do not align with the county system exactly but if you run into problems I expect you will get help from someone on here.

[grangers14]

Can this be archived now Snoopysue?
Jo:)

[snoopysue]

yeh, thanks to ancestry and probate calenders, it's dead easy now!